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.

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

In this episode, brought to you by VTech Phones, we examine significant capital movements across the Pacific, headlined by JLL data showing a 54% surge in Asia Pacific hotel transaction volumes to $6.8 billion. Key developments include the $40 million transformation of Sydney’s Manly Pacific under the luxury Elysium brand, Westin’s debut on the Gold Coast, and major openings such as Radisson Resort Layan Phuket, Brady Hotel Melbourne, and voco Queenstown.

In market and tech news, we break down SiteMinder’s mid-year data highlighting strong domestic demand, discuss the Federal Government's new digital inbound declaration system, and explore practical AI integration trends from HITEC 2026. Plus, we highlight top honours from the AA NSW Awards for Excellence and executive appointments across EVT, Salter Brothers, and Rydges.

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 massive regional expansions, starting with Accor’s strategic 5,300-key partnership in Vietnam and Hotel101’s USD 200 million development push into Thailand. Closer to home, IHG and Pelligra Group officially unveil the Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton, while Brisbane's highly sought-after Madison Tower Mill Hotel officially changes hands.

We also explore New Zealand’s foundational National Tourism Policy Statement and celebrate the top leadership minds recently recognised at the Hospitality NZ Awards. Finally, we review critical technology warnings regarding sophisticated, AI-driven cyber attacks targeting Australian commercial accommodation data, alongside the latest executive appointments across EVT, Hilton, and Marriott.

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 Australia's largest freehold going-concern transaction—the staggering $500 million divestment of Iris Capital’s premium hospitality portfolio to Redcape Hotel Group. We also explore major regional pipelines, including Ennismore’s 2026 roadmap bringing new lifestyle properties to Perth, Bali, and Vietnam, alongside the highly anticipated debut of NoMad Hilton Singapore.

On the trends front, Marriott International dismantles the Gen Z luxury myth, revealing four distinct affluent traveller mindsets. Finally, we analyse the critical integration of artificial intelligence across the sector. From Radisson’s industry-first real-time price matching to the urgent need for 'Hotel AI Champions' amidst surging ChatGPT referral traffic, we summarise what this technological shift means for operators and owners.

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 examine Freecity's landmark $1.5 billion luxury hospitality development approval in North Sydney and Salter Brothers Hospitality's strategic global partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World. We also analyse the official launch of Quest Southport on the Gold Coast by The Ascott Limited, alongside major brand expansions across Thailand and Japan. In executive movements, Capella Hotel Group, Savills, and Sofitel Brisbane Central finalise pivotal leadership appointments to steer regional growth. Finally, we explore evolving APAC market trends and look at how integration frameworks are driving operational efficiency, featuring key insights from our active sponsor, SABA Hospitality.

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 explore major regional movements, including Accor and ERDI’s transformation of the Novotel St Kilda, Radisson’s aggressive expansion blueprint across Australasia, and the premium launch of The Bonobo by Raes in Byron Bay. In market insights, the upcoming AHICE Sydney Hotel Summit anchors executive discussions, while global briefings from HITEC 2026 signal a massive operational shift toward artificial intelligence.

In technology, EVT leads the ANZ region by launching its new app within ChatGPT, as forward-thinking organisations pivot toward Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) to finalise the transition away from legacy data architectures and capture critical guest visibility.

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 explore Accor’s landmark multi-hotel agreement in Fiji and Fortis securing planning for a $330 million premium-lifestyle precinct in Melbourne. We also cover Hilton’s upcoming Conrad debut in Kobe and unpack their latest insights into the "Hushpitality" trend sweeping the Asia-Pacific.

Elsewhere, New Zealand's Hind Management launches a dynamic third-party operating platform to scale regionally, while Choice Hotels Asia-Pac celebrates strategic openings in Victoria and Hokkaido. Finally, we review top-tier leadership appointments across Dorsett Hospitality, Trilogy Hotels, and EVT, and discuss how AI-driven software, like Canary Technologies' new automated sales coordinator, is revolutionising daily operational workflows.

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 cover Accor’s landmark multi-hotel agreement with Yavu Collective in Fiji and Pacific heavyweight Prendiville Group's strategic expansion into Darwin. In Sydney, Deicorp has finalised a major tripartite deal to anchor a new Courtyard by Marriott in Crows Nest, operated by Trilogy Hotels, while Journey Beyond acquires the iconic Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel.

Furthermore, we analyse critical market insights, including new GBTA data projecting Asia Pacific corporate travel spend to surpass $700 billion USD in 2026, and Accor’s directive positioning design as a primary commercial lever. We also unpack Hilton's latest global workforce report and the record-breaking turnout at AHICE Fiji.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Canary Technologies.

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 delve into high-impact regional developments, including Hickory’s appointment to construct Sydney’s new Randle St Hotel and IHG’s landmark dual-property expansion in Vietnam. In investments, CapitaLand Ascott Trust finalises a strategic S$360 million divestment in Singapore, whilst Choice Hotels drives upscale regional growth across Australia.

We also celebrate excellence following the QHA Awards, and highlight luxury milestones as Halcyon House and The Fullerton Hotel Sydney secure elite Condé Nast honours. Finally, we break down global executive insights from the NYU Investment Conference regarding AI, analyse shifting UN Tourism trends, and track major leadership movements, including Marlene Poynder’s appointment at Waldorf Astoria 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 78, proudly supported by VTech, we examine Accor’s rapid pipeline expansion via The Sebel Sydney Parramatta and their landmark milestone of surpassing 150 franchise properties across the Pacific region. We dive into the major AU$60 million redevelopment launching Le Méridien Lindeman Island Resort & Spa by Marriott, Well Smart Group, and La Vie Hotels & Resorts.

The briefing also analyses crucial market intelligence, including CBRE's report on the dramatic rise of lifestyle hotels, EVT’s strategic AI infrastructure driving enhanced operating margins, and key executive movements such as veteran broker Mark Durran joins HTL Property to lead APAC capital markets.

Stay informed and stay ahead in the hospitality industry.