With summer travel in full swing, hotels around Europe and the U.S. have made big changes to meet the healthy demand. But, it’s not just the hottest months of the year anymore that translate to big business. According to Destination.com's 2026 State of Travel report, more people are leaning into shoulder season months for their big trips with 52% of the trips the company tracked extending into the fall.
Instead of peak season trips, people are seeking to escape crowds in favor of milder fall weather. Friendly Planet Travel saw a 40% increase in fall bookings this year while Unforgettable Travel Company says that October and November in particular are in high demand.
And many hotels are extending their summer features longer than usual as a result. These hotels have exciting new features and special offers to tap into this extended peak travel period.
New Dining Experiences At Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul
The Bosphorus-facing Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul has a series of new menu and music options in time for summer visitors. They include a new selection of Ottoman and Turkish archival recipes prepared with a modern twist at Tuğra.
Nearby Rüya is serving an Anatolian menu on property after successful pop-ups in hot spots like Cannes, France and Dubai. It includes dishes like whole grilled lobster paired with erişte pasta and handmade thyme and olive oil ice creams. Several nights a week feature DJs on the terrace, which is in addition to live music at Bosphorus Grill on weekends.
20% Savings For Hawaii Vacation Condo Resorts
Effective Aug. 4, Hawaii-bound travelers can save 20% off condo-style stays across the islands in more than two dozen resort properties. Be sure to reserve you stay between Aug. 4 and Sept. 14 using promotion code FALL26 on the Aqua-Aston Hospitality website. These resorts vary from urban, beachfront fun in Waikiki to properties on Maui and Kauai.
The Little Nell Aspen Grows Into Nell Hotels
There’s a new luxury hotel brand to consider soon with Nell Hotels launching in the fall of 2027. Aspen Hospitality, a division of Aspen One and owner of The Little Nell in Aspen, is growing its highly regarded mountain brand into urban destinations with The Nell New York. It will open as the city’s only Relais & Chateaux hotel and become the first and only hotel within Rockefeller Center. Guests can expect the lengthy wine menu of the Aspen properties, extensive spa offering and curated artwork.
It coincides with the temporary closure of The Little Nell following this winter’s ski season for a total revamp during the spring, summer and fall months. Don’t worry, it will be ready in time for the first snowfalls of the start of the late 2027 ski season. When the New York property opens, Nell Hotels will count three members in its portfolio, including the Residences at The Little Nell. Eventually, more residential boutique hotels (all with Aspen’s signature “après energy”) will join the collection.
New Penthouse Suites For The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
London’s famed, Art Deco-style Athenaeum Hotel & Residences has opened a pair of View Penthouse Suites on its tenth floor overlooking Buckingham Palace and Green Park. They have bespoke Paul Smith toiletries (unique to these suites) and the option to connect to the neighboring suite.
YOTEL Properties Join Hilton Honors, Launch Elite Status Fast Track
Most YOTEL hotels are expected to join the Hilton portfolio by early fall, and Hilton Honors is launching a special promotion for loyal YOTEL travelers since its own YOTEL Club program is ending.
Depending on your past stay history with YOTEL, Hilton Honors will be offering either instant elite status or a fast track path to get there. And now all Hilton Honors members can earn and redeem points when they make an eligible stay with YOTEL at properties around the world including in Istanbul, London, Miami and New York.
Omni Hotels & Resorts New Signature Experiences
This summer, select Omni properties are launching signature experiences designed around history, culture and ecology to give travelers a more immersive experience during their stay. They include a sea turtle hatching release led by an onsite naturalist at Omni Corpus Christi, private helicopter above Chicago and Lake Michigan at Omni Chicago and southern heritage-themed visit to Omni Nashville with themed breakfast and dinner plus a visit (with $2,000 in gift certificates) to a local leather goods store, complete with private black car to get there.
DoubleTree by Hilton Celebrates National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
The Hilton Honors DoubleTree by Hilton brand is known for its complimentary, warm chocolate chip cookies given to all guests when they check in for a stay. On Aug. 4, National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, everyone is welcome to stop by any DoubleTree hotel in the U.S. for their tasty chocolate chip treat (no reservations required).
These cookies are not only delicious, but have a rich history, too. They were the first baked-on-board cookie in space (prepared on the International Space Station in 2019); the first cookie is now on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. More than 20 million cookies are served each year, including the option for an allergy-free version.
Macallan Whiskey-Themed Afternoon Tea at The Palace Hotel Madrid
Dubbed “high tea, low morals,” this new afternoon tea experience served via a fully-stocked trolley straddles the line between midday refreshment and pre-dinner cocktails. Served in the speakeasy bar 27 Club (where the traditional menu features dishes inspired by notable historical figures like Dalí and Lorca), the selection includes Macallan-spiked coffee with a touch of Oloroso sherry, Macallan Iced Tea featuring The Macallan 12 with peach liqueur, and a selection of sweet and savory bites like lobster rolls, caviar and salmon tartlets and dark chocolate “sachers with Madroños” (strawberry tree berry jam).
Don’t want to dress for the experience? The Macallan Trolley can also be delivered for room service. Guests can earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for their stay at this Luxury Collection-member property.
World of Hyatt Teams Up with Aeroplan
Air Canada’s frequent flyer program Aeroplan is the newest partner of World of Hyatt, giving members of either loyalty program the chance to earn benefits or reciprocal elite status perks. Aeroplan members can redeem points for free night certificates with World of Hyatt, starting at 25,000 points (including some all-inclusive resorts and top-tier Park Hyatt properties), while Hyatt points are eligible to redeem for a 30,000 point flight certificate through Aeroplan. And by linking your accounts, all Hyatt elite status members receive a $20 Canadian Dollar flight credit to use each year. Globalist members can also register to participate in a fast track promotion to elite status with Aeroplan.
New Hotel For Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy’s collection of outdoorsy, nature and adventure-focused hotels now has its newest location: RESET Hotel near Joshua Tree National Park’s north entrance. Each room comes with outdoor patio space complete with Solo Stove fire pits. Also on property is a sauna, cold plunge, and programming for stargazing and astronomy using Celestron Telescopes. RESET, like all other Outdoor Collection properties, are available for points earning and redemption through Marriott Bonvoy.
Banyan Tree Wellness Residences Come To South Florida
Get ready for the largest meditation dome in South Florida and a full floor of wellness amenities at the new Banyan Tree Residences West Palm Beach. The Banyan Tree brand, which has the majority of its properties across various destinations in Asia, is highly geared towards travelers seeing balance and renewal. While this new resort will operate as a hotel, it will also feature private residences, starting at $1.9 million, for those that want to live in their own spa destination.
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