IHG’s new Americas CEO on bringing ultraluxury brands to the US

Lovers of luxury and wellness, get ready: Six Senses is headed to the Lowcountry.

Global hospitality heavyweights are investing in the British capital with new hotels, and they're betting big. Raffles repurposed the landmark Old War Office—Churchill's erstwhile HQ—while the Peninsula broke new ground just opposite the Buckingham Palace garden, both brands staking claims in prime London real estate. Waldorf Astoria and Six Senses will soon follow suit with their own local debuts, while Rosewood and Mandarin Oriental plan to open second properties. But don't let the big names drown out boutique newcomers like the whimsical Broadwick Soho, a glittering reminder of the homegrown English charisma that makes London a must-visit in the first place.

Katerina Giannouka has left Jumeirah Group one year into her time as CEO, confirms an internal document seen by Skift. The document is attributed to Jumeirah’s owning company Dubai Holding group CEO Amit Kaushal and was circulated to leaders in the organization.

The quest for a better quality of life influences many Americans’ decisions on where to live, work, play and travel. U.S. News and World Report has just released its ranking of the top 25 U.S. cities that offer the highest quality of life.

Anyone who’s set foot in America’s Deep South will know ‘Southern charm’ is no myth, and Savannah — Georgia’s oldest city — embodies just this. Situated at the mouth of the Savannah River in the east of the state, the city has retained its ‘olde world’ atmosphere since its founding in 1733 through its well-preserved cobblestone streets, pre-Civil War architecture, horse-drawn carriages and manicured parks. Meanwhile its more modern array of offerings, including quirky ice cream parlours, moody speakeasies, cosy coffee shops and independent bookshops, have all helped earn its more recent nickname of the ‘Hostess City of the South’. Its urban beauty is also undeniable. Though ravaged by naval blockades during the Civil War, Savannah is said to have charmed Union general William Sherman so much that he saved it from the fires being set by his soldiers during the battle, and instead offered the city as a Christmas gift to President Abraham Lincoln. Today, Savannah plays a much larger role than just being easy on the eye; it’s a vibrant cultural and historical hub for the state and the perfect jumping-off point for various coastal adventures.

NEW YORK -- Manhattan's luxury hospitality landscape has evolved dramatically since the Waldorf Astoria New York opened its doors on Park Avenue in 1931.

Paging Capt. Kirk to the starship lounge.

Avelo Airlines has unveiled three new routes which will see the budget carrier double down on one of its crew bases and add a new destination to its route map.

Never mind being the city that never sleeps — New York is the city that never stays the same. Whether it’s your first time or your 30th time, you’ll find every district of the Big Apple full of new places to discover. And it’s not just limited to the new restaurants and shops that dot streets from the Bronx to Staten Island — there are vast arts centres, cultural districts and even an entire new landmass, cast off into the Hudson River. Manhattan is the epicentre of some of the most exciting recent developments, and on this one-day itinerary you’ll zoom in on them across a manageable chunk of Midtown and Downtown. Here’s everything you shouldn’t miss on an exploration of New York’s latest and greatest.

Good things come to Marriott Bonvoy and MGM Rewards members who wait.

In January, Alaska celebrated its 65th anniversary of becoming the 49th state. Such a milestone sets the stage for high expectations, and with good reason: Following a record-setting tourism season in 2023 led by more than 1.6 million cruise visitors, predictions are for another banner year in 2024, according to the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA).

Update: February 13, 2024, at 9:10 a.m. ET