by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Fri May 30, 2025
May saw quite a bit of news about hotels and resorts across the globe, from exciting new partnerships and resort announcements to brands behaving badly.
Let’s dive in with the news you should know, shall we?
Accor announced an expanded partnership with the World Monuments Fund to preserve and restore four key heritage sites across the globe, including the Chapel of the Sorbonne in Paris.
Aerial view of the Chapel of the Sorbonne in Paris, France. (Photo Credit: Accor)
In government news, Spain is pushing back on vacation rentals as the country is gripped by a housing crisis, taking aim at Airbnb to block nearly 66,000 vacation rentals that didn’t show the proper documentation on ownership or a proper license. Barcelona is banning all short-term rentals in the city by 2028, a measure that was passed by the city’s government last year.
Additionally, the hotel industry in the United States is celebrating the passage of the ‘No Tax on Tips’ Act by the Senate. Supported by both presidential candidates in the last election, the bill will eliminate taxing tips of up to $25,000 a year, saving service workers, including those within the travel industry, large amounts of money. Some detractors say this may incentivize employers to stop providing raises, though.
Wynn Resorts on the Las Vegas Strip was just fined $5.5 million for illegal gambling and “money laundering implications.” The resort says the employees involved are no longer working for the resort and it has apologized for the crimes.
Sandals Resorts gained headlines when part of its closed Sandals Emerald Bay Resort was erroneously listed up for public auction by the Bahamian government this month—which both the government and Sandals called a mistake. The resort in question is being converted to a Beaches property, and while the issue seems to be settled, it brings to mind Sandals’ several legal battles with Antigua and the Bahamas over millions in unpaid taxes.
Grand Lucayan Resort in the Bahamas will soon become a cruise passenger excursion destination. An investment firm bought the report for $120 million to convert it into a playground for cruise guests, which will be an option excursion for cruisers heading to the region.
New Hotels & Resorts Coming Soon
A rendering of a residence building inside the St. Regis Papagayo, to open in 2027. (Photo Credit: Marriott International)
Three new resorts are coming to the Caribbean and Central America, all announced this month.
Sandals Resorts will be building a new family-friendly Beaches Resort in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The first Sandals Resort in the island nation opened last year, and this one is part of the brand’s $1 billion investment into expanding its family-friendly resort brand to more locations. There isn’t an expected opening date for the resort just yet.
A new Aman Resort and Residences, called Amancaya, will open in Exuma, Bahamas in the future. It will boast 400 acres of property across two private cays, making for a secluded luxury stay. This resort also doesn’t yet have an opening date.
Additionally, Marriott announced it will be bringing the St. Regis brand to Costa Rica in 2027 with the opening of the St. Regis Papagayo. Located along the Papagayo Peninsula, the resort will boast 120 hotel rooms and over 140 residences, along with several dining venues, a spa, private beach club and other amenities.
Trump's Travel Impact on Hospitality
(Photo Credit: Adobe Stock)
Two hotel giants are sharing their outlook on the year following Trump’s increasing trade war with other countries.
Marriott slashed its room revenue growth prediction from two to four percent to just 1.5 to 3.5 percent, widening the rate of change due to the economic uncertainty. Marriott also noted that U.S. government employee hotel stays are down 10 percent from last year.
Additionally, IHG reported U.S. room revenue had increased 3.5 percent during the first quarter of the year and remained firm in its profit and financial forecast for the year, though it noted that RevPAR growth this year will likely remain below the expected 2.3 percent.
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