This week in hotel news: Hyatt House DFW Airport topped out, becoming the first extended-stay hotel on the airport campus, with completion expected by summer 2027 and 130 suites. Sheraton Tribeca in New York completed a multimillion-dollar renovation featuring next-generation design. IHG's InterContinental extended its partnership with jet lag app Timeshifter.
UMusic Hospitality & Lifestyle, in partnership with UMH Development, will convert the historic Scarritt Building in downtown Kansas City into a 169-room music-focused hotel. Construction is expected to begin in Q4 2026. The adaptive reuse project will include a 309-unit branded residential tower, a music and entertainment venue, a professional recording studio, and a UMusic Shop retail store. Located near the Power & Light District and T-Mobile Center, the hotel aims to celebrate Kansas City's rich jazz heritage with immersive programming.
In Q2 2026, hotel companies saw widespread RevPAR gains, partly driven by the FIFA World Cup and luxury travel demand. Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt raised full-year outlooks. Development activity was strong, with IHG, Choice, and Wyndham reporting notable openings and conversions. AI adoption accelerated, with IHG and Wyndham launching ChatGPT-powered search tools. Caesars accepted a go-private offer, while MGM evaluated a sale proposal.
Alum is a new luxury hospitality concept focused on college towns, founded by David Vialli and backed by Derek Jeter. Its first property is in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, near the University of Alabama, with groundbreaking scheduled for September. Alum offers a members' club and condo-hotel, targeting alumni, donors, and sports fans, filling a gap in upscale lodging in college towns.