This week’s Five-Star Weekly Briefing highlights current trends, investments, and developments in the hotel sector. Spotlighting major moves from Accor, Marriott, Hyatt, IHG, Choice Hotels, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, and more.

We explore new openings and transformations across the region, including Accor’s expanding lifestyle portfolio, Hyatt’s dramatic 19-month restoration of Park Hyatt Tokyo, IHG’s upcoming Vaagali Maldives – Vignette Collection, and Choice Hotels’ latest Ascend Collection addition with Gladius Parramatta. We also look at Wyndham’s global rollout of Canary Technologies’ AI Voice, along with other tech shifts redefining operations and guest experience.

On the development front, we highlight significant milestones such as the approved Crowne Plaza Maroochydore, Reflections Holidays’ investment in regional NSW, and Intrepid Travel’s acquisition of Wild Bush Luxury lodges — expanding premium eco-tourism for Australia.

We unpack key industry trends, including AI-driven transformation of PMS systems, 2026 hospitality predictions from Cayuga Hospitality Consultants, and new traveller behaviour revealed in Global Rescue’s survey, showing rapidly rising AI adoption among international travellers.

From luxury resorts and wellness innovations to tech disruption and shifting demand patterns, this episode delivers a concise, high-value roundup of the stories influencing hospitality’s next chapter — and the brands leading the way.