OCT / NOV 2026
Vol. 60, No. 6
DEPARTMENTS
38 PERSPECTIVES Viewpoints from hotel industry voices and leaders
70 MARKET REPORT India’ s hotel boom
76 TECHNOLOGY Reworking booking engines
78 DESIGN Hill Hall Hotel, Fayetteville, W. Va.
82 PRODUCTS Fitness, Kitchen
ON THE COVER
Vladislav Doronin, chairman and CEO of Aman Group, at Amanpuri in Phuket, Thailand.
SPECIAL REPORT
THE BIG DEBRIEF
The 2026 World Cup is over, but its lessons can help the hotel industry prepare for the next monumental event. One thing is sure: This summer’ s biggest matchup may have played out on the soccer pitch, but across the country, hoteliers played their own ferocious game.
24
HOTELIER OF THE WORLD
AMANJUNKIE # 1
Vladislav Doronin is the billionaire chairman and CEO of Aman Group. But he is much more than just a monied hotelier and real estate tycoon. It’ s just part of his unique story that makes him HOTELS Magazine’ s 2026 Hotelier of the World.
20
REHAB REPORT
RENO CHECKUP
Pressure from higher borrowing costs, inflation and volatile construction expenses have made hotel renovations exercises in strategic planning, procurement and operational management.
30
62
BRANDED RESIDENTIAL
HOME SEARCH
Luxury hotel brands are increasingly selling more than a place to stay. They are selling private residences. A look at one of the newest coming online— Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country— and why it may just be the best bargain in branded residential real estate.
6 hotelsmag. com Oct / Nov 2026