Xhulio Bishtaja

HBX GROUP AND VIRTUOSO EXPAND GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP TO ENHANCE LUXURY TRAVEL OFFERING

HBX Group (HBX.SM), a leading B2B travel technology marketplace, today announced the global expansion of its partnership with Virtuoso, the world's leading network specialising in luxury and experiential travel. Building on a successful relationship that began in North America in 2001, the agreement now extends worldwide, giving Virtuoso member agencies across the globe access to Bedsonline's full portfolio of travel products and services for the first time.

Expanding from a North American relationship to a global partnership unlocks greater choice, wider reach, and new growth opportunities for both organisations and the Virtuoso travel advisor community. It also enables advisors to build more personalised itineraries by combining accommodation with transfers, experiences and mobility services through a single platform.

Through Bedsonline, Virtuoso advisors will be able to book accommodation, premium transfers, car rental, experiences and activities via a single platform designed specifically for travel professionals. They will also have access to Bedsonline's Luxury Collection, featuring a carefully selected portfolio of luxury hotels complemented by The Luxurist's concierge service, helping advisors deliver seamless, tailored experiences for their clients.

Virtuoso's global network includes more than 20,000 travel advisors and over 2,800 preferred travel partners, making it one of the most influential communities in luxury travel. For HBX Group, the expanded agreement creates new opportunities to connect its hotel and travel partners with an engaged global advisor network while further extending the reach of Bedsonline's premium offering.

"The relationship between Bedsonline and Virtuoso has been built over more than two decades, and taking it from North America to a global scale marks an important milestone for both organisations,” said David Amsellem, chief distribution officer at HBX Group. “It significantly expands the reach of our offering and brings Bedsonline's global portfolio to Virtuoso advisors worldwide. By giving them access to our global portfolio—including our Luxury Collection—in one place, we're making it easier for advisors to create highly personalised journeys, while opening new opportunities for our hotel and travel partners to connect with some of the world's most discerning travellers."

"Bedsonline has been a valued partner for Virtuoso members in North America, and we are thrilled to expand that relationship globally,” added Cory Hagopian, senior vice president, global partnerships at Virtuoso. “This enhanced partnership gives our advisors around the world access to a broader range of accommodations, experiences, transfers, and mobility solutions through a single, travel advisor-focused platform. By combining greater choice with streamlined booking capabilities, we are helping advisors create more personalised and seamless journeys for their clients while also opening new opportunities for our preferred travel and hospitality partners to connect with Virtuoso's influential global network."

The expanded partnership reflects HBX Group's strategy of strengthening its global travel marketplace by connecting high-quality supply with the travel advisors who help shape premium travel demand. As the luxury travel sector continues to evolve, the agreement enables both organisations to better support advisors with a broader range of products, greater flexibility and easier access to exceptional travel experiences.

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by Xhulio Bishtaja

ROCKLIFFE SETS SIGHTS ON BECOMING ONE OF UK’S LEADING LUXURY GOLF RESORTS WITH NEW ERA OF GASTRONOMY AND CONSIDERED FIVE-STAR LUXURY

September 2026, Hurworth-on-Tees, UK: Rockliffe has unveiled a new chapter as one of the UK’s most ambitious luxury golf destinations after it reopens following a multi-million-pound transformation that is set to redefine the five-star resort experience in the North East of England.

The extensive investment marks a renewed commitment to establishing Rockliffe among the country’s leading luxury golf resorts, combining championship golf with world-class gastronomy, refined hospitality and a collection of bespoke experiences that position the resort firmly on the national stage.

At the heart of the transformation is the restoration of the resort’s historic Grade II-listed estate, including the reimagining of the East Wing and the launch of ATLAS James & Maria Close, a new 36-cover restaurant led by Culinary Director James Close, formerly chef-patron of the two-Michelin-starred Raby Hunt.

The reopening also introduces five additional dining and bar concepts, creating a culinary offering that rivals some of the UK’s most acclaimed luxury destinations while enhancing Rockliffe’s appeal as a premium stay-and-play resort.

Set within 375 acres of private parkland, Rockliffe’s championship golf course remains central to the resort’s future vision. Recent investment across the resort reinforces its ambition to offer one of the finest golf experiences in Britain, with championship golf, exceptional course conditioning and award-winning hospitality now complemented by a significantly enhanced luxury offering.

The resort now features 43 individually designed rooms and suites, alongside a 50,000-square-foot spa, tennis and padel courts, a state-of-the-art gym and a range of curated outdoor experiences.

A new standard for the luxury golf resort experience

For golfers, the transformation represents far more than a hotel refurbishment. It signals Rockliffe’s ambition to become one of the UK’s premier golf resorts, where championship golf is matched by outstanding dining, accommodation and service.

A major bunker renovation project, which is set for completion later in 2026, has refreshed the course’s strategic character and playing experience, while new machinery and continued investment in the greenkeeping team are ensuring exceptional course conditioning throughout the year.

The resort’s 18-hole championship course, designed the world-renowned course architects, Hawtree, stretches to 7,879 yards from the back tees, making it one of the longest golf courses in the UK and a true championship test. Extensive drainage and year-round conditioning ensure golfers can enjoy premium playing conditions throughout the seasons. The course’s USGA-specification creeping bent grass greens provide consistent, high-quality putting surfaces, while five tee positions on every hole allow players of all abilities to tailor the challenge to suit their game.

The newly enhanced Clubhouse forms an integral part of the experience, offering elevated dining and relaxed hospitality overlooking the course, while the wider resort investment creates a seamless journey from the first tee to the final evening.

A new culinary landmark

At the centre of the reopening is ATLAS James & Maria Close, a 36-cover pavilion restaurant that establishes Rockliffe as one of the UK’s most exciting gastronomic destinations.

The immersive experience begins in a dedicated Champagne and aperitif lounge before guests move into a dining room centred around three open kitchen islands, reinforcing craft, theatre and precision.

The menu reflects the global travels, memories and influences of James and Maria Close, presented through carefully curated sequences designed to encourage discovery and the unexpected. A six-seat chef’s table, visible ageing fridges and a striking spice wall further express the craftsmanship behind the restaurant’s philosophy.

James and Maria have assembled a distinguished culinary and hospitality team for ATLAS, including Executive Chef Adam Molloy, Head Chef Shaun Hurrell, Restaurant Director Jack Adams and Head of Wine Manuel Ghezzi.

The wider dining collection includes Rialto, an all-day Italian-American restaurant that evolves from breakfast through aperitivo-led afternoons to family-style evenings; Ro, an intimate cocktail bar inspired by Japanese precision and industrial heritage; The Morning Room, a refined afternoon tea destination; Café TERRA, a boutique café and bakery; and The Clubhouse, which overlooks the championship golf course and offers an elevated sports bar concept with relaxed classics, globally influenced dishes and live sport.

Reimagining the historic estate

The reopening also reveals the reimagined East Wing, where the former Old Hall has been transformed into a collection of suites and public spaces that blend historic architectural character with contemporary luxury.

The interiors draw inspiration from the North East’s industrial heritage, with bespoke joinery, natural textures and carefully selected materials creating a dialogue between heritage and modern craftsmanship.

Suites incorporate references to the region’s wool and linen traditions, while bathrooms reflect the solidity of North East sandstone architecture through generous proportions, oversized showers and baths, and richly detailed finishes.

Throughout the estate, commissioned artworks celebrate the surrounding landscape and industrial legacy, reinforcing a strong sense of place.

Championship golf, wellness and outdoor living

Rockliffe’s transformation builds on its established reputation as one of the UK’s leading destinations for golf, wellness and outdoor leisure pursuits.

The award-winning spa and Spa Garden offer hydrotherapy, thermal experiences, 11 treatment rooms, a 20-metre indoor pool and outdoor wellbeing facilities designed around holistic relaxation and recovery.

Beyond the spa, the championship golf course sits alongside tennis and ever-popular padel courts, landscaped gardens and nature trails that follow the River Tees, creating a resort experience that extends well beyond the fairways.

For golfers, the combination of championship golf, world-class dining, luxury accommodation and award-winning wellness facilities creates a compelling new proposition that positions Rockliffe among the most complete luxury golf resorts in the UK.

“This reopening represents a defining moment for Rockliffe” said Shauna Robb, Group Chief Operating Officer. “We have reimagined the resort to celebrate our regional heritage while introducing a new standard of English luxury. Our ambition is to create a destination where championship golf, exceptional gastronomy and genuine North East hospitality come together to deliver one of the finest resort experiences in the UK.”

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by Xhulio Bishtaja

THE LOBBY AS GALLERY: WHY LARGE-FORMAT ART IS BECOMING THE NEW DESIGN ANCHOR IN HOTEL INTERIORS

Hotel design in 2026 has moved on from filling every wall with a matching set of small frames. The new instinct among interior teams is simpler: pick one large, deliberate piece and let it do the talking.

Guests form a first impression of a space within roughly seven seconds of entering, according to industry research cited by hotel design firm Mingsun Group. That’s not enough time to notice a gallery wall of eight small prints. It’s enough time to register one bold, well-placed canvas. Hoteliers who understand this are rethinking how they use their walls, and the shift shows up first in the lobby, then spreads through corridors and guest rooms.

Large-Format Art as the New Lobby Focal Point

The “lobby as gallery” concept isn’t new to design magazines, but it’s becoming a practical brief that owners hand to their interior teams. Rather than treating the reception wall as leftover space, designers now build the whole entrance sequence around a single piece large enough to hold its own against a double-height ceiling or a long reception run.

That seven-second window matters commercially. A guest walking through revolving doors after a delayed flight doesn’t read a brand mission statement on a plaque. They read the room. An oversized horizontal piece behind the desk, or running the length of a seating bank, communicates identity instantly, before a single word is exchanged at check-in.

This is also a sourcing problem, and it is a narrower one than most designers expect. Standard framed prints top out well before the width a long reception wall actually needs, which pushes hoteliers toward specialist collections built for exactly that scale. Hoteliers refreshing a lobby wall increasingly turn to pieces like the extra large horizontal wall art collection, produced specifically for wide architectural spaces above reception desks or along long seating runs, rather than stretching a standard print past its intended proportions.

From Lobby to Guest Room: Scaling the Statement Piece

The same logic that works in a lobby carries into guest rooms, though the goals shift slightly. A lobby piece has to announce a brand fast. A guest room piece has to calm someone down after a day of travel.

That calming brief sits inside a broader 2026 trend some designers call “restorative luxury”: rooms engineered around rest as much as aesthetics. A single wide artwork above the headboard, in place of two smaller mismatched frames, gives the eye one point to settle on rather than several competing ones. It’s a small change, but it removes visual noise from a space that is meant to reduce noise, not add to it.

Sound plays into this too. The World Health Organization’s environmental noise guidelines recommend average night-time noise exposure outside dwellings stay below 40 dB(A) to protect sleep quality, part of the same “invisible architecture” thinking now shaping acoustics, lighting, and materials in guest rooms. A room’s visual calm and its acoustic calm are increasingly designed together rather than as separate line items on a renovation budget.

Studios doing this well are getting recognised for it too; we covered several of these approaches in our feature on the UK’s leading hospitality interior designers, where headboard art and acoustic treatment show up as a single design conversation rather than two.

The Business Case: Design as Revenue Driver, Not Just Decoration

Design decisions like this aren’t just aesthetic preferences anymore. They show up on the balance sheet, a link that Cornell’s Center for Hospitality Research has documented across years of academic studies on guest experience and property performance.

Properties that embed authentic local culture through commissioned local-artist installations, regional material sourcing, and neighbourhood storytelling design achieve 26% higher average daily rate than comparable cookie-cutter competitors, according to the 2025 Boutique Hotel Performance Index. Multi-functional lobbies that double as co-working spaces, cafés, or informal galleries generate 42% more non-room revenue than traditional check-in-counter layouts, per PKF Hospitality Research’s 2025 data. A striking piece of art isn’t the whole reason for those numbers, but it’s very often the visual anchor that makes a hybrid lobby feel intentional rather than improvised.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association’s 2025 State of the Industry Report, produced with Accenture, confirms rising guest demand for unique, experience-driven stays even as operating costs, including design and maintenance, rose nearly 5% in 2024. That combination puts pressure on owners: guests want more distinctive spaces while budgets get tighter. One well-chosen large-format piece is, in that context, a comparatively efficient way to deliver a memorable first impression without a full renovation.

The Derby London City’s conversion from office building to Curio Collection by Hilton hotel is a good example of how a design-led repositioning project can transform guest perception of a property, art included, without touching the building’s core structure.

Sourcing Art That Works at Hotel Scale

Buying art for a hotel is a different exercise to buying art for a home, and treating it the same way is where a lot of projects go wrong.

Durability comes first. High-traffic lobbies, direct sunlight through glazed entrances, and daily contact from housekeeping staff all take a toll on canvas and framing that a private collector never has to think about. Commercial-grade materials and mounting hardware rated for public spaces matter more than the piece’s price tag.

Scale and proportion come second. A piece that reads well on a gallery wall can look lost above a 12-foot reception desk, or overwhelming above a standard headboard. Measuring the actual wall run before selecting a piece, rather than choosing a piece and hoping it fits, avoids a costly reorder.

Brand alignment matters just as much as either of those. The palette, subject matter, and tone of a lobby’s central artwork should match the property’s identity the way its lighting and furniture already do. And where budget allows, working with regional or local artists on a commissioned piece supports the “authenticity” trend that is already showing up in the ADR data above. Coterie, the Portuguese boutique hotel brand built almost entirely around aesthetic detail, demonstrates how far a property can push this idea when art and interior design are planned together from the start rather than bolted on at the end.

Getting the Balance Right

None of this means every hotel needs a single enormous canvas and nothing else. Smaller accent pieces still have a place in corridors, breakfast rooms, and quieter corners. What has changed is the hierarchy: the days of a dozen equally sized frames competing for attention are giving way to one confident anchor piece supported by smaller, quieter details around it.

For owners weighing a refurbishment budget this year, the art line item deserves more scrutiny than it usually gets. A well-placed large-format piece isn’t just decoration. It’s doing measurable work on first impressions, guest comfort, and, if the data above holds, on revenue too.

 

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by Xhulio Bishtaja

GLOBAL HOTEL RATES CONTINUE RISING IN 2027 AS RESILIENT DEMAND AND INFLATION DRIVE PRICES HIGHER.

Uncertainty around the conflict in the Middle East and rising airfares create a more uneven picture across regions, with Amex GBT forecasting rates as ranges for the first time

Global hotel rates are forecast to rise in 2027, continuing the trend set in 2026. Resilient corporate travel and meetings demand across the Americas and Europe – combined with persistent inflation – is pushing prices upward, with more moderate increases in Asia-Pacific. However, the picture is far from uniform as the ongoing Middle East conflict continues to impact demand in key Gulf destinations.

The Hotel Monitor 2027, produced by American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) (NYSE: GBTG), a leading software and services company for travel, expense, and meetings & events, is an annual forecast of global hotel rates in key business travel destinations across the world.

Given ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and commodity price volatility, this year’s report presents rate forecasts as a range rather than a single figure for the first time. Amex GBT advises using the lower end of the range if the Middle East conflict does not resolve quickly, or if global inflation tracks the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) July World Economic Outlook forecast of 4.7% for 2026.1 If inflation rises beyond that level, the upper end of the range is the more likely outcome.

The forecasting is based on analysis of Amex GBT data, combined with inflation and GDP forecasts from the IMF, using Prophet time series modeling. Forecast summaries include:

City	Lower	Upper
New York	+1.6%	+2.5%
Mexico City	+4.7%	+7.1%
Toronto	+0.5%	+1.9%
Buenos Aires	+8.1%	+8.7%
Sao Paulo	+10.9%	+12.2%
London	+3.6%	+5.4%
Paris	+3.1%	+4.8%
Madrid	+6.1%	+9.2%
Dubai	+1.0%	+2.0%
Riyadh	+1.5%	+3.2%
Beijing	+1.9%	+3.0%
Bengaluru	+5.0%	+5.5%
Sydney	+3.5%	+5.0%
Singapore	+0.8%	+1.6%

The report provides further analysis of key cities and countries, exploring the underlying factors driving the predictions:

Dubai and the wider Gulf: The Middle East conflict has kept hotel occupancy in the UAE depressed, falling as low as 19.6% in March before recovering to the 40-50% range. Amex GBT expects hoteliers to offer compelling rates to win back visitors, forecasting Dubai prices to rise by just 1-2% in 2027.

Mexico City and Paris: Both cities remain resilient, in-demand destinations despite modest domestic economic growth. Mexico City’s diversified visitor base and status as a popular regional meetings destination should sustain rate growth of 4.7-7.1%, while Paris continues to benefit from its reputation as a leading events destination, with hotel rates expected to rise by at least 3.1%.

India remains the country to watch in 2027: India – projected to be the world’s fastest growing economy in 20271 – will still see rates grow but more slowly, as a result of improved supply of hotel rooms. Amex GBT anticipates rate increases will moderate from recent years’ sharp rises but could still exceed 5%, with Bengaluru forecast to grow 5.0-5.5% as global hotel chains continue expanding their presence across the country.

Amex GBT Consulting also highlights how rising airfares – up 15% year-over-year in mid-2026, and as much as double that on Asia routes – are squeezing travel budgets and reshaping demand into Asia-Pacific, even as business travelers continue to favor premium accommodation over trading down.

“This year’s forecast reveals a nuanced global environment where geopolitical uncertainties and commodity price volatility are shaping hotel rates in different ways across regions,” said Sara Andell, Director of Consulting Strategy, Amex GBT Consulting. “Price is a key indicator, but it doesn’t always tell the full story. We’re encouraging companies to consider what value means to them, and what they are getting from their hotel spend, not just the headline rate.”

Amex GBT’s Hotel Monitor also highlights how artificial intelligence is reshaping hotel sourcing on both sides of the negotiating table. On the supplier side, hotels are increasingly deploying agentic AI to optimize revenue management and rate-setting strategies. On the buyer side, AI-enabled sourcing tools are helping travel managers accelerate decisions, sharpen pricing, and strengthen negotiating positions – turning sourcing into a continuous process rather than an annual event.

The full report is available to download here: Hotel Monitor 2027.

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by Xhulio Bishtaja

INDUSTRY STARS CELEBRATED AT PRESTIGIOUS AA HOSPITALITY AWARDS 2026

AA Hotel & Hospitality Services has revealed the winners of its 2026 awards, honouring the exceptional accomplishments of British hospitality professionals.

Celebrating 70 years of the AA Rosette award, close to 1,000 guests gathered at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London for one of the most prestigious evenings in the hospitality calendar.

The awards recognise the hospitality industry's incredible people, hotels, restaurants, spas, inns and B&Bs, as well as the teams behind the scenes, who are setting the standard for hospitality excellence across the sector.

Leading chef, Adam Byatt of Trinity Restaurant was voted by his fellow AA Rosette-holding chefs as the AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year 2026 (sponsored by Woods Foodservice). Through his creativity and innovation, Adam has become known for his classically rooted seasonal cooking, with a focus on bold, honest flavours. At Trinity, this translates into an imaginative, distinctive culinary style that reflects the very best of who Adam is.

Adam Byatt said of his win:

“Winning this award is a huge honour. I’m incredibly proud and grateful to have been chosen as this year’s AA Chef’s Chef of the Year out of such an esteemed group."

Simon Numphud, Managing Director of AA Hotel & Hospitality Services said:

“The AA Hospitality Awards exist to recognise the passion, dedication and high standards that go into delivering exceptional hospitality, and this year's winners are a wonderful example of that. These awards recognise incredible people in our industry who care deeply about what they do to give their guests the very best experience.

“That commitment to excellence is what sets British hospitality apart and underpins its world-renowned reputation. Congratulations to all the winners, nominees and new Rosette holders. It is a privilege to celebrate their achievements.”

AA Hospitality Awards – 2026 winners

AA Chefs’ Chef of the Year

• Adam Byatt of Trinity Restaurant, London

AA Lifetime Achievement Award

• David Morgan-Hewitt of The Goring, London

AA Outstanding Contribution Award

• Adam Terpening, Charity Director for Room to Reward

AA Restaurant of the Year

• England – The Star Inn, Harome, North Yorkshire
• London – AngloThai, London
• Wales – The Walnut Tree Inn, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
• Scotland – Swadish by Ajay Kumar, Glasgow, Glasgow City

AA Group of the Year

• The Celtic Collection, Newport, South Wales

AA Hotel of the Year

• London – The Emory, London
• England – Calcot & Spa, Tetbury, Gloucestershire
• Scotland – Crossbasket Castle, High Blantyre, South Lanarkshire
• Wales – Porth Tocyn Hotel, Abersoch, Gwynedd
• Northern Ireland – Culloden Estate & Spa, Holywood, County Down

AA Small Hotel Group of the Year

• Firmdale Hotels, London

AA Small Hotel Team of the Year

• Knockendarroch Hotel & Restaurant, Pitlochry, Perthshire

AA Large Hotel Team of the Year

• St. Ermin’s Hotel, London

AA Wine Award

• England and Overall – etch. by Steven Edwards, Brighton, East Sussex
• Wales – The Jackdaw, Conwy, Conwy County Borough
• Scotland – Knockinaam Lodge, Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway

AA Rising Star of the Year

• IIona Harris, Cromlix, Kinbuck, Stirling

AA Housekeeper of the Year

• Katarzyna Celinska, The Bloomsbury, London

AA Sustainable Restaurant of the Year

• The Black Swan at Oldstead, Oldstead, North Yorkshire

AA Inn of the Year

• The Penny Bun, Otley, West Yorkshire

AA B&B of the Year

• Lys-Na-Greyne, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire

AA Restaurant with Rooms of the Year

• House of George W. Davies, Broadway, Worcestershire

AA Spa Hotel of the Year

• Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa, St Andrews, Fife

AA Sustainable Award

• Malmaison & Hotel du Vin, Nationwide

AA College Restaurant of the Year 

• The Classroom, Cardiff & Vale College, Cardiff

New 4 Rosettes

• Frog by Adam Handling, London
• Hide and Fox, Hythe, Kent
• Ikoyi, London
• Inver, Strathlachlan, Argyll and Bute
• LI~LY by Aiden Byrne, Knutsford, Cheshire
• The Cocochine, London

New 3 Rosettes

• AngloThai, London
• Daise by Tony Parkin, Wirral, Merseyside
• FERN, Nanstallon, Cornwall
• Flavour, Tarbert, Western Isles
• KYND at Hampton Manor, Solihull, West Midlands
• Langar Hall Hotel, Langar, Nottinghamshire
• Lofft, Cardiff
• Luna Omakase, London
• Orrery by Pierre Minotti, London
• Restaurant Elm, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
• Sō-lō Restaurant, Aughton, Lancashire
• St Barts, London
• The Bath Priory Hotel, Restaurant & Spa, Bath, Somerset
• The Gunroom Restaurant, Caernarfon, Gwynedd
• Tom Brown at The Capital, London

New 5 Red Stars

• Ashford Castle, Cong, County Mayo
• Langdale Chase, Windermere, Cumbria
• The Chancery Rosewood, London
• The Emory, London

 New 4 Red Stars

• Holmes Hotel, London
• Penmaenuchaf Dolgellau, Dolgellau, Gwynedd

The full list of this year’s AA Hospitality Awards winners can be found on the AA’s Rated Trips website here

All of 2026’s restaurant award winners and new Rosette holders feature in the AA Restaurant Guide 2027, a definitive guide showcasing the finest cuisine the UK has to offer.

The AA Hospitality Awards would also like to thank their sponsors; Matthew Clark Bibendum, People 1^st, eviivo, IHS & Maes, RAW Charging, The Fork, Taittinger, Cobra, Venners, St Ewes, Johnsons Hotel Linen, Sky, Sealy, RAK, Clockwork Marketing, Taylors of Harrogate, La Bottega collective, Umbrella Training, World Pay, Caterer.com, Woods Foodservice, James Hallam, Chabé.

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by Xhulio Bishtaja