Marriott International has opened its 15th property in Shenzhen, China – the Renaissance Shenzhen Bay Hotel. Located in the affluent district of Nanshan in Shenzhen’s southwest, the new property is the second Renaissance branded hotel in the city, joining Renaissance Shenzhen Luohu which debuted in October 2019.

Marriott is poised to take full ownership of Design Hotels, a Berlin-based representative group that provides marketing and digital distribution to over 300 luxury and boutique independent hotels in 60 countries.

W Hotels & Resorts’ second property in Australia has revised its opening date as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. In May, the W Melbourne revealed its highly-anticipated launch was planned for December 2020, however, the Victorian capital’s ongoing lockdown has required the hotel to push back its debut to early 2021.

Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa in Abu Dhabi has joined the Marriott International stable following the parting of ways with Middle Eastern hospitality brand Jumeirah earlier this year.

Western Australia’s Margaret River region has been earmarked for the debut of Marriott International’s Westin Hotels & Resorts brand in the popular tourist region.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts has extended its lead as the world’s most valuable individual hotel brand and group portfolio over Marriott, according to the latest Brand Finance rankings.

Marriott International is ramping up its home-sharing pilot program to include Paris, Rome and Lisbon in addition to the offering already operating across London. The expansion follows findings based on the London trial that travellers are staying up to twice as long in a home, compared to a hotel.