It was a busy week for hotel news, and a few of these updates will genuinely change how people book trips over the next couple of years.

The headline grabber for many travellers: IHG's Kimpton brand is finally landing in Bali. The Kimpton Suntaya Bali Ubud is expected to open around the end of 2026, with reservations open from mid-December. The resort will have 101 rooms and suites, five restaurants — including a Japanese izakaya and an omakase counter run by Chef Imamura — plus a two-storey gym, multiple pools and a spa. The kicker for points collectors: it should be bookable with IHG One Rewards points, which could make a Bali splurge a lot cheaper.

Airbnb also rolled out its Autumn 2026 updates, and the big shift is social. You can now connect with friends inside the app to see each other's trips, recommendations and interactive maps — essentially turning past travels into shareable guidebooks. The update also brings AI planning tools and new add-on services like laundry and meal delivery, pushing Airbnb further into full-service territory.

Mexico's Riviera Maya is becoming an all-inclusive hotspot for big luxury brands. From 1 October 2026, both the Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya and the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya will operate as all-inclusives, and the Waldorf goes adults-only from 10 January 2027. They follow Park Hyatt Riviera Maya and the JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa in Costa Rica, both arriving later this year — a clear sign that upscale all-inclusive is where the big hotel groups see growth.

There's Italy news too: the stylish Delano brand, famous for its Miami Beach flagship and its Rose Bar, opens Delano Puglia in Monopoli on the Adriatic coast in 2028. Expect 76 rooms, 13 suites, pools, bars and restaurants, including a reimagined Rose Bar.

And in a surprise crossover, Royal Caribbean is taking 50% equity in Sandals and Beaches Resorts. The cruise giant clearly wants a stake in the land-based all-inclusive market, and the partnership could shape how Caribbean beach holidays are packaged in future.

Elsewhere on the loyalty front, IHG has overhauled its credit card lineup with new perks and higher annual fees, Bilt is rolling out another Hyatt transfer change, and the passport application process is set to be updated.

Why it matters: whether you're redeeming points in Ubud, planning a group trip on Airbnb or weighing an adults-only all-inclusive in Mexico, this week's announcements touch almost every kind of holiday. Points enthusiasts should keep an eye on the Kimpton's award rates when bookings open, while Mexico-bound couples may want to compare the new all-inclusive rates against traditional booking before the switch takes effect.