Sonesta International Hotels Corporation | Expanding its Presence in the Caribbean with a New Hotel in La Romana, the Dominican Republic

Sonesta International Hotels Corporation a Newton, Massachusetts - based hospitality company founded in 1937, the 8th - largest U.S. hotel chain, managing over 1.200 properties across various brands through a franchise agreement is expanding its presence in the Caribbean with a new hotel in La Romana, , a city on the Dominican Republic’s southeastern coast located opposite Catalina Island,  known for its pristine beaches, coral reefs absolutely perfect for snorkeling, luxury hotels and resorts, water sports, leading golf courses and a world - class marina.

The 168 - room Mod Collection by Sonesta Hotel will open its doors in two phases. The opening of the first building is scheduled for fall 2027, followed by the second building in the fall of 2028.

Designed for modern travellers, focusing on local, unique design elements rather than strict corporate styling, this lifestyle hotel will offer modern, flexible design, curated food & beverage options, and access to the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program.

The property will join James Larimar City and Sonesta ES Suites Jarabacoa, which are under construction in the Dominican Republic.

The hotel will enter in the Mod Collection by Sonesta portfolio, part of an upscale, upper - upscale soft brand focused on modern, eclectic design and curated dining options. These unique, often locally inspired properties offer flexible, playful  and “social - post worthy” spaces designed to suit contemporary travellers looking for both leisure and comfort in prime locations. 

These properties feature distinct, modern aesthetics that often embrace local market characteristics, providing a unique “not cookie - cutter” feel.

Co - CEO  of Sonesta International Hotels Corporation Keith Pierce expressed his enthusiasm to see the company expand throughout the Latin American region, specifically in the Dominican Republic, where the group has several new properties in development.

Sonesta’ s Co  - Chairman added that MOD Collection by Sonesta debuted in 2023 with the intention of attracting a variety of full - service hotel owners, minimizing conversion timelines, simplifying brand standards, emphasizing the inclusion of local influences in the design of the property, and leveraging the local reputation in the name.

In addition Sonesta’s Co - CEO said that the company is delighted to see how the brand continues to grow, proud that it joins the nine MOD hotels that are currently open and operating throughout the Americas.

Link

https://www.arecoa.com/hoteles/2026/04/30/sonesta-se-expande-en-rd-con-el-nuevo-mod-collection-en-la-romana/

Ennismore | To Open a New 149 - Room Hoxton Hotel in Bengaluru, India

Ennismore, a lifestyle and leisure hospitality company headquartered in London, England, UK, a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder - build brands with creativity and purpose at their heart that curate and manage unique properties and experiences in some of the most exciting destinations around the world will open a new 149 - room hotel in Bengaluru, the capital and largest city of the southern Karnataka Indian state, located near the centre of the Deccan Plateau.

Bengaluru is known as the “Garden City” due to its parks and greenery and also for its rich cultural and historical heritage visible in sites like Bangalore Palace, modelled after England’s Windsor Castle, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, an 18th - century teak structure, and Old Dungeon Fort & Gates.

In addition the city is known as India’s “Silicon Valley” for its booming IT industry, numerous institutions like IISc, IIMB, a centre boasts pleasant climate, a vibrant nightlife and famous for its delicious South Indian food, including plates like Bili Bele Bath, Donne Biryani, Dosa, Idli, Mysore Pak and Vada.

In partnership with Accor India, the division in the country of Accor S.A., French multinational hospitality company based in Issy - les - Moulineaux and InterGlobe Hotels Pvt Ltd, a leading hotel development company headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana, India, Ennismore will open The Hoxton, Bengaluru City.

The hotel is scheduled to open in November 2026 on Richmond Road, an strategic urban artery serving as a connector to MG Road, Brigade Road and Residency Road in the heart of Bengaluru, in a premier locality characterized by its mix of colonial - era charm and modern commercial infrastructure, offering proximity to Richmond Circle and Trinity Metro Station.

The property will feature 149 designed guest rooms, including 4 HOMEY suites, a lively ground - floor restaurant/bar, a rooftop Italian restaurant, Fi’lia with a pool, meeting and event space like “The Apartment” for events (up to 240 guests).

The Hoxton, Bengaluru City will collaborate with local brands and talent to host regular activities and experiences such as guest chef takeovers, a rotating gallery and more.

The property will join the Hoxton brand founded in 2006 by Sinclair Beecham, co - founder of Pret A Manger and acquired by Ennismore.

 The Hoxton is a lifestyle brand known for open - house lobbies, vibrant community - focused design, and neighbourhood - rooted hospitality, characterized by highly stylish, locally - inspired interior design, bustling curated, “no - pretention”public spaces, and the “Good Neighbours” initiative.

Group CEO of Ennismore and Chairman of Accor India. Gaurav Bhushan said that India is one of the most exciting hospitality markets in the world right now. The market is ready for a true lifestyle experience and the company’s approach is simple: build brands that resonate with Indian guests first while maintaining the same global DNA of the group brands are known for.

Ennismore’s CEO added that the company is excited for its debut in India this year, with the hotly anticipated openings of Roswyn Mumbai, a Morgans Original hotel, and a growing pipeline that include Delano and Mama Shelter. It has long been the group ambition to bring The Hoxton to India and Bengaluru, with its vibrant cultural scene, feels like the natural first step to call home.

Link

https://boutiquehotelnews.com/news/hotel/the-hoxton-debut-india/

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | Unveiled the Opening of its 20th ECHO Suites Extended Stay Hotel in Bozeman, Montana, U.S.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, an American hospitality company known as one the largest franchisors in the world, founded in 1981 in Dallas, Texas and based in Parsippany, New Jersey,, has unveiled the opening of its 20th ECHO Suited Stay Hotel in Bozeman, a city in the Rocky Mountains in southern Montana, U.S.

Bozeman is a renowned destination very popular for its natural beauty and for several outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing and backcountry exploring Yellowstone National Park, impressive wildlife and also well known for nearby Bridger Range to the north and the Spanish Peaks.

The opening of Echo Suites Extended by Wyndham Bozeman follows recent ECHO Suites openings in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Round Rock, Texas; and Springfield, Missouri, marking continued  growth and nationwide expansion for the brand since its 2024 launch.

The property is located at 2215 Wheat Drive, within a 10 - minute drive of Montana State University - Bozeman and downtown attractions, as well as minutes from the East Gallatin River, The ELM, and local corporate demand generators.

The establishment designed for long – term stays is a  new - construction, featuring  124 extended – stay apartment - style  with kitchenettes, free Wi - Fi, 24/7 laundry facilities, and a fitness centre.

Developed for weekly/monthly guests with weekly housekeeping, laundry facilities, and pet - friendly policies the property offers coffee in the lobby, and free parking.

ECHO Suites hotels that have been open for six months or more are averaging occupancy rates above 70% through the first quarter of 2026.

Many established locations are reporting occupancy above 80% and RevPAR index lvels above 100% compared to a competitive set of primarily midscale - and above hotels. More than 70% of stays at ECHO Suites Hotels exceed seven nights, with over half extending beyond 60 days.

Rooms average about 300 square feet, and the hotels average approximately 50.000 square feet, with nearly 74% of that space being rentable.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has nearly a dozen new - construction ECHO Suites projects underway and is targeting a long - term goal of 300 ECHO Suites location by 2032. Including its other extended - stay brands, Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham and WaterWalk by Wyndham, 2025 saw over 60 new executions in Wyndham’s extended – stay portfolio, bringing the pipeline to approximately 45.000 rooms.

 The company cites continued demanded for extended stay accommodations,, driven by workforce mobility, infrastructure investment, and longer - term travel trends.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts estimates a $3.3 billion incremental room - revenue opportunity for its franchisees, based on expected multi - year federal spending of approximately $1.5 trillion from the infrastructure Investment and Job Act and the CHIPS and Science Act. 

 The group reports investing more than $425 million in technology over the past eight years, including the development of AI - driven tools such as Wyndham Connect, designed to help franchises manage labour costs, increase ancillary revenues, and drive direct bookings.

 Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ long – term target is to have 300 ECHO Suites hotels open or under construction by 2032, with approximately one dozen additional ECHO Suites hotels currently under development.

 Links

https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/echo-suites/bozeman-montana/echo-suites-extended-stay-bozeman/overview

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article141008.html

Xianrendong, China | A Team of Archaeologists Found New Evidence of 70, 000 - Year Old Human Activity in a Cave

A team of Chinese archaeologists have found new evidence of 70, 000 - year old human activity in Xiarendong site, where is located the Xiaren Cave or “Immortal Cave” in Lushan County within Henan Province, located on a cliff near Pingdingshan City,  approximately 800 kilometres south of the capital of the country, Beijing, a discovery that contributes significantly to the understanding of human evolution in the plains of central China. 

The site has been studied since its discovery in 2020, excavations have continued since, and in 2025, it was recognized as one of the top ten archaeological discoveries in the region.

The Xianrendong site is a significant Upper Paleolithic to Neolithic site, featuring early modern human fossils and tools dating back to ~70.000 - 12.000 years ago. Key features of the site include limestone cave shelters on cliffs, early human and fauna remains, providing insights into Pleistocene human survival.

Inside the main cave, the archaeologists identified about 400 fragments of human skulls and teeth, a number considered unsual for a site of this age.

Analyses indicate different period of occupation, with fossils dated to about 32.000 years old, while others date back about 12.000 to 13.000 years.

In addition, evidence of human activity at the site with other findings dates back to 70.000 years, while the oldest sedimentary layers of the cave date back approximately 120.000 years.

Along with the human remains the archaeologists found 51 stone tools, produced using a traditional lithic technique from northern China based on the use of percussion stones to obtain flakes from a core.

Xiarendong site also offers information about the way of life of these groups, who used natural caves as shelter during the last glacial period. Research at the “Immortal Cave” continues with multidisciplinary approaches, including assessments on the possibility of extracting ancient DNA, and part of the site remains preserved for future research with more advanced technologies.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/sitio-arqueol-gico-chino-ampl-a-el-entendimiento-sobre-la-evoluci-n-humana-en-la-regi-n/

São Paulo, Brazil | Launched a Practical Guide for Waste Management with Millionaire Investments

The government of São Paulo is advancing its waste management infrastructure through millionaire investments in sustainability, targeting organic waste diversion, composting plants and household collection with initiative supported by public - private partnerships, focus on reducing landfill dependency, which is critical, as only 7.2% of Brazil’s waste is currently recycled.

For this reason, the government has presented a practical guide to help municipalities in the transformation of urban solid waste management, on regionalized solutions, economic efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Developed by the Ministry of the Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics (Seamil) and the Secretariat of Investment Partnerships (SPI), the booklet brings together technical guidelines explains the operation of the “Integra Residuos” program and presents ways to join the model, which is committed to regionalization to generate economies of scale, reduce costs and facilitate access to advanced technologies.

The Integra Residuous programme provides the guidelines for the creation of regional concessions organized in three lots, with 30 - year contracts, where the concessionaire companies will be responsible for the transshipment, treatment, recovery and final disposal of waste, while the municipalities will maintain the collection, urban cleaning and environmental education.

Investments of approximately 3.5 billion reais (approximately $614 million) are estimated in works and infrastructure, in addition to operating costs that could reach 7.5 billion reais (about $1.316) over the course of the contracts.

The first stage of the programme includes solutions for more than 60 municipalities, including metropolitan regions such as Campinas and Sorocaba, initially benefiting some 5.4 million people, according to information from the news portal Brasil 247.

The schedule provides for the completion of the regional plans and the opening of public consultations until the end of the first half of 2026, with the publication of the specifications in the same period, and the auctions and signing of contracts scheduled for the first half of 2027.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/s-o-paulo-lanza-una-gu-a-para-la-gesti-n-de-residuos-con-inversiones-millonarias/

Madrid, Spain | The Prado Museum Launches “A Work, a Story”, A New Exhibition Format Focusing on Deep, Narrative Explorations of its Collection

The renowned Prado Museum located in Central Madrid at Calle Ruiz de Alarcón, near the Retiro Park,, the historic Paseo del Prado, the Fountain of Neptune, and major avenues of the Spanish capital, part of the “Art Triangle” with the museums Reina Sofia and Thyssen - Bornemisza, hosted in a neoclassical building with modern expansion, containing renowned masterpieces displayed in multiple floors dedicated to different art eras,  is launching a new exhibition format titled “A work, A story,” focusing on deep, narrative explorations of its collection. 

This initiative is part of a broader 2026 programming strategy highlighting recent acquisition and thematic studies, aiming at enhancing the interpretation of its, and loaned artworks.   

The tour of the Prado Museum is marked by the visual impact of a large - format work, Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez, a complex Baroque masterpiece executed in 1656 featuring a candide scene in the Madrid palace of Philip IV, anchored by the Infanta Margaret Theresa, stands at the centre, surrounded by her  meninas (maids of honour) and prominently features the artist himself at a large canvas,  which today can be surpassed.  

With this in mind the museum inaugurates the exhibition format “A Work, a Story”, with Las Meninas, measuring 320 cm high and by 218 cm wide flanked by the Year of Hunger in Madrid by José Aparicio e Inglada measuring 315 x 437 cm.  

The Year of Hunger in Madrid is a work that is hardly known to the general public. Painted around 1818 by José Aparicio e Inglada, a Spanish painter from Alicante associated to the neoclassical style, an artist characterized by his use of realism and attention to detail, actively worked in the Spanish capital during the Reign of King Ferdinand VII.

The painting is a significant, yet historically turbulent painting depicting the severe famine in Madrid during the Napoleonic occupation (1811 – 1812).  

The work serves as an allegory for the dramatic situation of starvation endured by Madrid residents, showcasing emaciated citizens, including a woman holding a baby while a man rushes towards soldiers. Similar to Goya’s works it addresses the extreme food shortages, referred to as the “faminede los amorta” (famine of the grasspea).

This masterpiece once captured all eyes in the Prado Museum, where it came to eclipse the figures of Francisco de Goya and José de Madrazo during the Reign of Ferdinand VII, King od Spain in the early 19th century.  

Hailed as great artistic milestone of its time, multiplied in prints, songs, and poems, this history painting also served as a political artiffact. 

The reconstruction of its original location in the Prado Museum in 1819, which became one of the main icons, reveals the ideological toll imposed by the absolutism off King Ferdinand VII, even above Las Meninas at the time.  

Key Features of this program include: 

•    “A work, a Story”New Exhibition Format: This new format is designed to provide comprehensive, curated narratives around specific pieces. 
•    Narrative Focus: Detailed exploration of the history, context, and creative process behind a single, spotlighted work. 
•    Unique Works: Showcasing pieces like José Aparicio’s “The Year of Hunger in Madrid”. 
•    Contextual Understanding: Providing deep insight into the story of Aparicio’s work, rather than just a traditional stylistic viewing. 

Director of the Prado Museum, Miguel Falomir, commented that the aim is to invite the viewer to contemplate a work that, beyond its aesthetic merits, helps us to reflect on aspects of the history of art that often go unnoticed. 

According to the source, the exhibition analyses, until September 13, 2026 in room 66 of the Villanueva building, the rise and fall of a national glory that went from being the most powerful visual metaphor of ninenteenth - century Spain to becoming a mere local anecdote. 

Link 
https://infoturlatam.com/museo-del-prado-de-madrid-lanza-gran-formato-expositivo/

Alexandria, Egypt | A Roman Villa with Mosaics and a Rare Circular Bath from the Hellenistic Period Found

A salvage excavation in Alexandria, Egypt’s second - largest city founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC and a historic Mediterranean port known as “the "Pearl of the Mediterranean”, has uncovered a significant Ptolemaic/early Roman complex, featuring a residential villa with architectural layers extending into the Byzantine era highlighted by high - quality mosaic flooring and a rare circular bath from the Hellenistic Egyptian period.

The archaeological mission was led by Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities in Moharam Bek, a centrally located, historic neighbourhood in Alexandria, situated near the city centre and the Masr railway station, known for the presence of the Alexandria Stadium and the Moharam Bek Bridge, a vibrant area serves as a key connecting point and features a mix of traditional and modern residential and commercial buildings.

The site reveals continuous occupation from the Hellenistic period into the Roman and Byzantine eras, highlighting advanced ancient infrastructure with hydraulic installations, including a small swimming pool connected to an integrated water management system and a relevant organization of urban life.

Among the most outstanding findings are mosaic floors using the techniques of Opus Tesselatum, the most common ancient Greek and Roman mosaic technique, utilizing small, regularly shaped cubes (tesserae) of stone, marble, or glass, laid in horizontal or vertical lines, and Opus Sectile, an ancient art technique featuring inlays of precisely shaped stone, marble, mother - of - pearl, or glass to create detailed pictures or patterns on floors and walls, using larger, specially cut pieces to create complex images.

This discovery reflects the diversity of artistic schools present in Alexandria in those periods, highlighting Alexandrian mosaic culture as a cornerstone of Hellenistic and Roman artistic production, characterized by high-- level craftmanship, technical innovation, and the widespread influence of the Egyptian city across the Mediterranean from the late 4th century BC to the 6th century AD.

The excavation also recovered movable objects such as marble statues of the deities Bacchus and Asclepius, a headless statue believed to represent Minerva, coins, oil lamps, pottery, and fragments of stamped amphorae, indicating a thriving commercial and cultural activity with wide - ranging Mediterranean relations.

Authorities have already begun the initial restoration of the pieces and are considering displaying the most prominent ones at the Greco - Roman Museum in Alexandria, while excavations continue at the site.

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities the discovery reveals a complete cultural sequence spanning the Ptolemaic, Roman and Byzantine.

The Secretary - General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Hisham El - Leithy, noted that the continued settlement at the site is evidenced by the discovery of a circular “Tholoi” style bath, an ancient Greek - style bathouse (balaneion) characterized by round, domed, or conical - roofed rooms and a Roman villa, both of which demonstrate advanced urban planning and concern for well - being during those eras.

The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, stated that this discovery redraws the urban map of ancient Alexandria and constitutes a qualitative addition to the archaeological record, reflecting the historical importance of the city as a very relevant cultural hub in various periods. 
 
In addition, according to the head of Central Administration of Antiquities of Lower Egypt, the findings confirm that the area remained within the city walls until the Byzantine era and help re - evaluate historical maps of Alexandria, particularly the works of Mahmoud Bey El Falaki, an engineer, astronomer and scientist who pioneered the urban mapping of ancient Alexandria.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/hallan-villa-romana-con-mosaicos-y-ba-o-circular-ptolemaico-en-egipto/