It’s summer, which means people are heading to the beach, their favorite spots and all kinds of hotels along the way and in between.
As always, we’re trying to bring you the latest hotel news, including the latest on Marriott’s lawsuits and “frivolous spending,” Marriott launching its 32nd brand and the top destinations Hilton Honors members are traveling to. until this summer.
In between these great stories, some hotel stories are bookmarked for you to share each month to get more information and to know what’s happening at the hotel. From new hotel openings to one-of-a-kind rooms, here are some of the hotel updates you might not have missed in June.
Walk on Barbie – Ken takes over the Malibu DreamHouse
Airbnb is well known for its luxurious, one-stop-shops — and now Barbie’s Malibu DreamHouse is back. This time, it’s completely changed with Ken playing the role of manager.
To celebrate the premiere of the new movie “Barbie” on July 21, two lucky guests will have the opportunity to sleep in a pink pad. It will be complete with Ken clothes, a dance floor with a disco ball, a pool with a water slide, and even yellow and pink rollerkates and surfboards.
Reservations will be made on July 17 at 10 a.m. PDT on the home’s dedicated website.
Dolly Parton is opening a new hotel — and reservations are now open
Here at TPG, we’re big Dollywood fans, whether we’re visiting the theme parks or sleeping in Dolly’s retired bus. While the park and its DreamMore resort are great, it’s about to get even better: HeartSong Lodge & Resort, a new resort, will open in the Smoky Mountains.
It is set to open to visitors Nov. 23, the new facility will have 302 rooms, including rooms with bunk beds and entertainment themes. The resort will also offer a full-service restaurant, indoor and outdoor pools, priority access and free shuttles to Dolly parks, and Dollywood TimeSaver passes to skip the lines.
You can reserve a room here – and you know we’ll be there when it opens to share what’s happening. If it’s as good as DreamMore and Dollywood, you know it’s going to be good. Until then, check out what Dolly herself recently shared with TPG about the future of “Tennessee Mountain Home.”
JW Marriott is targeting Tanzania tourism
Marriott Bonvoy loyalists who have been dreaming of a safari based on good principles will save some days in 2026. That’s when the new JW Marriott will open in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. At the moment, the details of the camp are light (and there are no translations), but we know that it will have 30 suites, including two presidential suites, all with private pools.
This is not JW Marriott’s first foray into the hospitality space. Marriott recently opened the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge in Kenya, where you can book award nights starting at 77,500 points.
Related: How to choose the perfect African safari
This NYC Pride-themed event continues through September
Pride month may be over, but New York City-goers can still enjoy art galleries at the Innside and Melia New York Nomad.
In collaboration with the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art – a space dedicated to LGBTQI + artists – the artist Tura Oliveira transformed the group into an out-of-this-world, science-fiction-focused “queer futurity.” Oliveira painted murals, discarded textiles and stacked books, furniture and other interesting objects to bring the space to life. (Not to mention, the suite is spacious with a beautiful view of the Uptown skyline.)
Suite rates – available through Sept. 23 – starts at $399 per night and comes with tickets to the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art.
A new design hotel opens in Rome
There’s no place like Rome, the Eternal City – and few cities have such a spectacular hotel scene.
The city recently celebrated the opening of the Bulgari Hotel Roma. The hotel, in Campo Marzio near the Tiber, has 114 rooms and suites in a 1940 building that has been renovated and restored. The hotel, which is part of Marriott, has Spa Bulgari, an indoor swimming pool, the first Bulgari candy shop in Italy, a rooftop terrace with breathtaking views of the city and a signature restaurant, Il Ristorante – Niko Romito.
