Marriott's new safari camp, Barbie's Malibu DreamHouse and other hotel news you missed
It's summer, which means people are headed to the beach, to their favorite city destinations and to every type of hotel on the way and in between.
Like always, we're constantly trying to provide you with the most up-to-date hotel news, including the latest on the lawsuit regarding Marriott and "junk fees," Marriott launching its 32nd brand and the top destinations Hilton Honors members are traveling to this summer.
In between those big stories, some hotel news gets bookmarked to share in this monthly news roundup so you can feel informed and knowledgeable about what's happening in the hotel space. From new hotel openings to one-of-a-kind suites, here are some of the most exciting hotel updates you might have missed in June.
Move over Barbie — Ken's taking over the Malibu DreamHouse
Airbnb is well known for its over-the-top, once-in-a-lifetime pop-up stays — and now Barbie's Malibu DreamHouse is back. This time, it's been totally revamped with Ken playing the role of host.
To celebrate the July 21 premiere of the new "Barbie" movie, two lucky guests will get the chance to spend the night in the pink pad. It'll be complete with Ken's wardrobe, a dance floor with a disco ball, a pool with a waterslide, and even yellow-and-pink rollerskates and surfboards.
The chance to book happens July 17 at 10 a.m. PDT at the house's dedicated website.
Dolly Parton's opening a new hotel — and reservations are now open
Here at TPG, we're big fans of Dollywood, whether we're visiting the theme parks or spending the night on Dolly's retired tour bus. While the park and its DreamMore resort are practically perfect, it's all about to get better: HeartSong Lodge & Resort, an all-new place to stay, will open in the Smoky Mountains.
Set to open to guests Nov. 23, the new resort will feature 302 rooms, including rooms with bunk beds and fun themes. The property will also offer a full-service restaurant, indoor and outdoor pools, priority access and free transportation to Dolly's parks, and Dollywood TimeSaver passes to skip the lines.
You can reserve a room now — and you know we'll be there when it opens to share the experience. If it's half as good as DreamMore and Dollywood, you know it'll be perfect. Until then, check out what Dolly herself recently shared with TPG about the future of her "Tennessee Mountain Home."
JW Marriott's heading on a Tanzanian safari
Marriott Bonvoy loyalists who have been dreaming of a points-based safari better save some dates in 2026. That's when an all-new JW Marriott is set to open in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. Right now, the details of the camp are light (and there are no renderings yet), but we know that it will feature 30 private suites, including two presidential suites, all with private pools.
This isn't JW Marriott's first foray into safari lodges. Marriott recently opened the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge in Kenya, where you can book award nights starting at 77,500 points.
Related: How to choose a sustainable African safari
This NYC Pride-themed hotel suite is sticking around until September
Pride month may have come to an end, but travelers to New York City can still experience a suite-turned-art gallery at the Innside by Melia New York Nomad.
In collaboration with the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art — a space dedicated to LGBTQI+ artists — artist Tura Oliveira transformed a suite into an out-of-this-world, science fiction-themed suite centered around "queer futurity." Oliveira painted murals, dyed textiles and curated books, furniture and other interesting objects to bring the space to life. (Not to mention, the suite has a massive deck with beautiful views of the Uptown skyline.)
Rates for the suite — which is available through Sept. 23 — start at $399 per night and come with tickets to the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art.
A new designer hotel is finally open in Rome
There's no place like Rome, the Eternal City — and few cities have such a booming hotel scene.
The city recently celebrated the opening of Bulgari Hotel Roma. The hotel, in Campo Marzio near the Tiber, has 114 rooms and suites in a 1940s building that has been updated and restored. The hotel, part of Marriott, has a Bulgari Spa, an indoor swimming pool, Italy’s first Bulgari sweets shop, a rooftop terrace bar with breathtaking views of the city and the brand's signature restaurant, Il Ristorante — Niko Romito.
What else you should know
- You can now earn IHG points and enjoy on-property benefits at 43 Iberostar all-inclusive resorts
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: Which should you get?
- Hilton and Marriott take different approach to loyalty benefits at new budget brands
- 7 things I learned using ChatGPT to plan my vacation
Hotel reviews you need to read
- Old-world elegance in a classic grand hotel: A review of The Langham, London
- What it’s like staying at Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas
- What it's like staying at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas
- Atomic Bombshells and Yeehaw Cowgirls: My stay at the drag queen-owned Trixie Motel in Palm Springs
- What it's like to stay at Nanuku Resort in Fiji, bookable through World of Hyatt
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.