The Lodging Lowdown is a series from Hotel Dive highlighting major headlines that hospitality professionals may have missed from the week.

This week in hotel news saw union workers at a Seattle Hilton ratify a new contract, ending an 85-day strike that Unite Here Local 8 is calling the longest hotel strike in Washington state history.

Additionally, former Marriott International executive Liam Brown is joining Chatham Lodging Trust’s board of trustees after retiring from Marriott earlier this year. Marriott, meanwhile, will continue its push in the luxury segment by converting the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point, California, under the JW Marriott brand following a multimillion-dollar renovation.

Also, more hotel companies are expanding in recreational markets. Hilton opened a 180-room Canopy hotel at Deer Valley East Village in Park City, Utah, its first in the state, while Field & Stream Lodge Co. announced plans for hotels in Bend, Oregon, and Big Bear in California.

Here’s other news from the week that hoteliers should have on their radar:

Marriott unveils plans for Ritz-Carlton residences in Brooklyn

Marriott, along with New York City- and Nashville-based investment and development firm SomeraRoad, announced plans for The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Brooklyn Heights, a collection of luxury residences at the former Hotel Bossert in Brooklyn, New York. 

The project, set to debut The Ritz-Carlton brand in Brooklyn, will “combine the privacy and ownership of a luxury residence with the legendary hospitality, amenities and global recognition of The Ritz-Carlton” brand, according to a Tuesday release. 

Following its transformation, the landmark property will include amenities “designed for wellness, leisure and entertaining,” as well as a 24-hour attended lobby and dedicated residential services, per Marriott. It will also be home to Union Square Hospitality Group’s first full-service Brooklyn restaurant on the building’s ground floor.  

Construction is expected to start later this year, with completion anticipated in 2029, per the release. 

1 Hotels Austin opens inside Texas’ tallest tower

1 Hotels, the luxury lifestyle brand from hospitality leader Barry Sternlicht, opened 1 Hotel Austin, its first property in Texas, according to a Thursday news release. 

Situated inside the 74-story Waterline, the tallest tower in Texas, the 252-room 1 Hotel Austin includes three food and beverage venues, including a rooftop restaurant, and more than 10,000 square feet in meetings and events space. It also has a dedicated wellness floor, spa and rooftop pool.

Opening in Austin is a “milestone” for 1 Hotels, Sternlicht, founder of 1 Hotels and chairman of Starwood Hotels, said in a statement. “Few cities have been able to grow with the confidence Austin has while holding onto the qualities that make it special: its creativity, independent spirit, welcoming character, and extraordinary natural beauty.”

The hotel was developed by Lincoln and Kairoi Residential, and designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, with HKS Architects serving as architect of record. Studio MAI oversaw interiors in collaboration with Starwood Hotels.  

IHG, EasyJet partner on travel benefits for SMEs

IHG Hotels & Resorts and British airline EasyJet have entered into a global partnership to offer travel benefits to small- and medium-sized businesses, according to a news release shared with Hotel Dive.  

With the partnership, members of IHG’s Business Edge program will receive a 10% discount on new EasyJet plus membership and additional benefits such as priority boarding, per the release.

Meanwhile, SME EasyJet plus members can access IHG Business Edge benefits, including preferred rates and loyalty perks, along with accelerated access to IHG One Rewards Gold Elite status. 

Ofland Hotels expands with boutique property near the Smoky Mountains

Las Vegas-based outdoor hospitality company Ofland Hotels broke ground on its second location, Ofland Smoky Mountains, in Townsend, Tennessee, according to a Wednesday news release. 

The boutique hotel will offer 75 studio-style cabins on 27.6 acres near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Each unit will feature a queen bed, living area, kitchenette and bathroom, per the release. Guests will also have access to their own private deck and a campfire with a grill and picnic table.

The property will have a lodge with a general store, fire pits and a Southern-inspired food counter, per the release, as well as a heated pool, an oversized hot tub and an outdoor drive-in movie theater. 

The Ofland Smoky Mountains development represents an investment of more than $25 million and is slated to open in summer 2027, per the release. Ofland opened its flagship property, Ofland Escalante in Utah, in 2021 and is plotting a third development near Utah’s Zion National Park, per the release. 

Ofland is among accommodation providers such as Marriott International, BWH Hotels and Field & Stream Lodge Co. expanding in outdoor hospitality as guests seek unique, nature-oriented experiences.