16-22 July: Top 10 stories of the week…

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From the news of Portonovi launching villas for purchase to Paris Hilton announcing her launch of (yet another) one of her hotel brands, we collate the top 10 most read stories on Hotel Designs this week…

1. First properties at Portonovi, Montenegro launch for purchase
The hotly anticipated, exclusive first properties at Portonovi, Montenegro – the Adriatic’s newest luxury lifestyle destination – have been released for purchase this week

2. 5 facts to know about…Hilton Hotels
In light of 2016 marking their presence in 100 countries and territories, we have found five things you might not know about Hilton Hotels

3. First IntercityHotel outside Europe opens in Salalah, Oman
Steigenberger is continuing its programme of expansion in the Middle East, as the first IntercityHotel outside Europe has now opened in Salalah, located 1,000 kilometres to the South-West of the capital Muscat in Oman

4. Paris Hilton to open hotels in Dubai, New York and Las Vegas
Paris Hilton, the heiress and reality TV star, plans to launch her own brand of luxury hotels, opening properties in Dubai, New York and Las Vegas, according to Forbes

5. Conrad Hotels signs agreement for Bora Bora property
Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton’s luxury hotel portfolio has announced the signing of a franchise agreement with SA BORA BORA NUI for the Conrad Bora Bora Nui

6. AccorHotels finalises purchase of FRHI group
Following the approval of shareholders at the General Shareholders Meeting last week, AccorHotels Group officially announces the acquisition of FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI)

7. Ten Hill Place, Edinburgh joins BW Premier Collection
BW Premier Collection has announced that Ten Hill Place, in central Edinburgh, will become the tenth member of Best Western Great Britain’s soft branded offering for high end hotels and the first in Scotland

8. Project Spotlight: GROHE opens first Experience Suite in Mallorca
From this summer onwards the five-star hotel, IBEROSTAR, in Playa de Palma will be home to the first GROHE Experience Suite in Mallorca

9. Hilton expands presence in Morocco with $33m coastal hotel
Hilton is to open a 170 guestroom hotel within the Taghazout Bay Resort located 10 miles north of the Moroccan coastal town of Agadir

10. W Goa to open in September
The new W Goa opens this September – it marks W Hotels’ first property in India and is located in the tropical paradise of North Goa’s coast

Daniel Fountain / 22.07.2016

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.