5-Star Weekly Briefing

This week’s 5-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.

In Episode 96, sponsored by Canary Technologies, we explore major regional developments, including Accor’s latest signing of the Novotel Sydney Castle Hill and a multi-million-pound luxury renovation for InterContinental Brisbane. We also look at the broader Asia-Pacific market as IHG and Hilton expand their portfolios in Japan, backed by CBRE data showing a 21% surge in regional hotel investment.

On the tech front, Australasian giant EVT is rolling out next-generation AI to optimise dynamic pricing, while cybersecurity authorities warn of rising AI-driven attacks on property management systems. Finally, we track key executive movements across TFE, Vibe, and Dorsett Hospitality, and preview the leadership line-up for the Maximum Occupancy Australia conference.

Stay informed and stay ahead in the hospitality industry.

This week’s 5-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.

In this episode, we examine major regional momentum as CBRE reports APAC hotel investment hit USD 8 billion in H1 2026—up 21% year-on-year. We cover key transactions, including Hoi Hup Realty's AUD 201.8 million acquisition of Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Central Park, and the finalised AUD 390 million deal for Sydney’s Darling Harbour Novotel and ibis properties.

On the development front, Marriott accelerates its APEC pipeline, Minor Hotels signs Avani+ Hanoi, YOTEL debuts in Bangkok via its Hilton alliance, and EVT expands LyLo into Southeast Asia. Plus, we explore Accor’s rollout of its global conversational AI ecosystem, highlight local MICHELIN Key achievements, and recap key takeaways from NoVacancy 2026 in Sydney.

Stay informed and stay ahead in the hospitality industry.

This week’s 5-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.

In Episode 94, sponsored by VTech, we cover major expansion across the Pacific and South East Asia. Key highlights include Minor Hotels launching Australasia’s largest integrated wellness precinct at Avani Cypress Lakes, Radisson RED making its Australian debut in Sydney, and IHG Hotels & Resorts expanding via major regional developments and rebranding the iconic Regent Bora Bora. Meanwhile, Choice Hotels Asia-Pac adds four premium Hobart properties, and Shangri-La debuts its ultra-luxury Signatures brand in Kyoto.

On the market front, APAC hotel transaction volume surged 52% to USD 17 billion, while HotStats data confirms expanding regional margins. In tech, new research from NYU SPS, RateGain, and HEDNA explores generative AI adoption limits, and roommaster debuts its AI-driven platform.

Stay informed and stay ahead in the hospitality industry.

This week’s 5-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.

In this episode, brought to you by GAIN (Growth Advisors International Network), we unpack major portfolio expansions and strategic capital investments across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. IHG makes a landmark entry with a 15-hotel Staybridge Suites deal in Australia, whilst Marriott signs a multi-property pipeline in New Zealand with CP Group and opens Moxy Niseko Village in Japan. Meanwhile, TFE Hotels commits $100 million to reposition its Adina brand, and Hilton expands its Western Sydney presence.

We also examine key executive shifts, yield optimisation takeaways from AHICE Far East Asia in Tokyo, and how agentic AI is actively reshaping hotel operations and distribution.

Stay informed and stay ahead in the hospitality industry.

This week’s 5-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.

In this episode, we break down Hoi Hup Realty’s major $201.8 million Australian entry, acquiring Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, alongside Quest’s continued regional expansion across Canberra and Adelaide. We explore ambitious property developments, including Paradox Sydney’s proposed vertical expansion and Accor Vacation Club’s strategic network growth.

Across market trends, we recognise Hilton being named Australia’s top hospitality workplace, IHG launching its regional 'Stay for Good' campaign, and Huka Lodge maintaining its global elite status. Plus, we highlight key leadership appointments at Marriott International and Minor Hotels, and discuss five practical AI applications every hotel operator can deploy today.

Stay informed and stay ahead in the hospitality industry.

This week’s 5-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.

In this episode, we unpack major portfolio expansions and luxury real estate moves across Australia and South East Asia. We explore the multi-million-dollar revitalisation of the Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, Hilton’s highly anticipated LXR debut at The Imperial Gold Coast, and Radisson RED’s first Australian foray in Sydney. Regional growth continues with Fairmont’s milestone opening in Bangkok and EVT’s strategic Rydges and Atura developments.

Beyond the pipeline, we analyse shifting market dynamics. We discuss Colliers' latest report on Australia's cooling construction sector, Trilogy Hotels' unbundled operating model, and how leaders are leveraging Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) to capture AI-driven search traffic. Finally, we review key executive appointments shaping the region across HCA, Hilton, and Centara.

Stay informed and stay ahead in the hospitality industry.

This week’s 5-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.

In this episode, we unpack a massive week of regional expansion, tech innovation, and executive moves. Accor makes waves with the Pacific debut of its budget-friendly 'greet' brand in Alice Springs, alongside the highly anticipated launch of Fairmont in Bangkok. We also explore IHG's landmark Vignette Collection partnership with the Harilela Group and their cutting-edge agentic AI booking pilot with Google.

Closer to home, Salter Brothers has announced a multi-million-dollar reimagining of Lilianfels Resort & Spa for the Ardour Collection, while La Vie Hotels and Resorts significantly bolsters its executive ranks to drive Pacific growth. Finally, we celebrate top-tier leadership honours from Marriott and IHG across the Australian market.

Stay informed and stay ahead in the hospitality industry.

This week’s 5-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.

Key regional moves feature Hilton expanding its lifestyle portfolio across Southeast Asia, EVT breaking ground on Rydges Tauranga, and Radisson launching its Radisson Individuals soft-brand in Queensland with The Merchant Hotel Brisbane. Transaction momentum remains high, evidenced by JLL reporting a historic 54% surge in Asia-Pacific H1 hotel investment volumes to US$6.8 billion, alongside notable Sydney luxury development assets like Hotel Florin coming to market.

Meanwhile, high construction costs continue to favour conversion strategies over new builds, with IHG expanding its voco pipeline across Malaysia and the Philippines. In executive news, Langham Hospitality Group appointed Nils-Arne Schroeder as Chief Operating Officer. Finally, tech shifts accelerate as Google tests agentic AI search and EVT pioneers mobile wallet keys in Australia.

Stay informed and stay ahead in the hospitality industry.

This week’s 5-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.

Welcome to Episode 88, proudly sponsored by Canary Technologies. In this episode, we spotlight landmark regional openings, including Citadines' flagship property in Hobart, Canopy by Hilton’s South East Asia debut in Bangkok, and TFE Hotels' multi-million-dollar revitalisation of the Adina Sydney Darling Harbour.

We also unpack major market moves, from G’day Group’s $40 million holiday park acquisition to Accor’s strategic 5,300-key portfolio deal across Vietnam. Plus, we analyse CBRE’s latest recovery report on Australian international arrivals and explore why regional investors are pivoting towards Third-Party Operator (TPO) models over traditional management agreements.

Finally, we discuss the critical financial impact of AI readiness on operations and how commercial teams must adapt to shifting buyer behaviour.

Stay informed and stay ahead in the hospitality industry.

This week’s 5-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector.

We unpack APAC’s surging hotel investment volumes, which hit a post-2019 high of US$6.8 billion in the first half of the year. On the development front, we explore IHG’s luxury lifestyle push with the Kimpton Suntaya Bali Ubud debut, alongside major Australian new-builds including The Westin Gold Coast and a transformative Perth CBD precinct by St Martins Properties. Plus, we analyse the real "AI skill gap" in hospitality tech—why the focus for general managers and owners must shift from manual software implementation to strategic leadership judgement.

A special thanks to our sponsor, SABA Hospitality, for supporting the show.

Stay informed and stay ahead in the hospitality industry.