Major hotel brands are providing rooms to Ukrainian refugees while pausing projects in Russia
As the situation in Ukraine intensifies, governments around the world are continuing to place heavy sanctions on Russia while businesses and major brands, such as McDonald's, Coca Cola and Starbucks, are stopping activity in the country.
Major hotel chains including Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG and Accor are also making public statements about Russia, which invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, and their plans in the country moving forward.
So far, Hyatt, Hilton, IHG and Accor have decided to suspend development activities and future investments in Russia, meaning that unopened properties and projects in the hotel pipeline will, at least for now, be on hold if not ultimately canceled.
Hotel operations, however, are continuing on for many non-Russian brands with a presence in the country despite the fact that Hilton, IHG and Marriott have closed their corporate offices in Moscow.
"At this time, we have made the decision to suspend our development activities and any new investments in Russia, effective immediately," Hyatt said in a statement. "We will continue to evaluate hotel operations in Russia while complying with applicable sanctions and U.S. government directives as we hope for a resolution to this crisis."
Currently, Hyatt has five hotels open in Russia with one, the Hyatt Regency Rostov-On-Don, that was scheduled to open in May. In its statement, Hyatt said that it's working to determine how to best care for its Russian hotel colleagues and guests in the country.
Related: Should you change your European travel plans in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine?
Hyatt is also offering much-needed support to Ukraine. "The global Hyatt family has come together in inspiring ways to care for those impacted by this tragedy, including providing refugee accommodations across Europe, sending supplies to the people of Ukraine, job transfers for Hyatt colleagues and a relief fund for our Hyatt colleagues in need of basic necessities, relocation support and care. We will continue to work to expand our humanitarian efforts across the Hyatt portfolio."
And on March 22, Hyatt announced a new way for people to help with the situation in Ukraine by allowing World of Hyatt members to support the Red Cross by donating points.
Members can visit a dedicated website to donate in 1,000-point increments that will convert to $20 for the Red Cross to help with essentials like food, water and clothing; medical care at border crossings; baby products and services for children; tents and shelters for refugees; and support for physical, mental and emotional stresses.
People can also make monetary donations directly to the American Red Cross, alongside Hyatt, here.
Meanwhile, Hilton, which has 26 hotels in Russia and three that were set to open later this year — a DoubleTree and Hilton Garden Inn in Moscow and a DoubleTree in Vladikavkaz — has partnered with American Express to donate up to 1 million hotel rooms in support of refugees and humanitarian relief efforts in Europe.
"Our hotels have always been part of the fabric of the communities we serve, and we are committed to supporting the places where we live and work," said Christopher J. Nassetta, Hilton's president and CEO. "Even in these dark times, we believe the light and warmth of hospitality can make a difference when it matters most, which is why we are welcoming refugees and supporting relief efforts in countries across Europe."
Profits from Hilton's business operations in Russia are being donated to humanitarian efforts for Ukraine and the Hilton Effect Foundation has donated $50,000 to chef José Andrés' World Central Kitchen as well as Project Hope.
Like Hilton and Hyatt, IHG, which has over a dozen hotels in the Moscow area alone, is working to provide support for refugees, its staff and guests in both countries.
"IHG has a commitment to look after the people and communities where we have a presence around the world," the Atlanta-based company said in a statement, adding that it's working with hotel owners in countries neighboring Ukraine to offer refugees temporary accommodations alongside making donations to CARE International and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to support in getting aid, food, water, shelter and other supplies into Ukraine.
Marriott, in a statement, said, "We are deeply concerned to see the humanitarian crisis impacting the people of Ukraine and [neighboring] countries and our teams are mobilizing to help those in need. Supporting the communities in which we operate has always been part of Marriott International's culture and the company has a long history of working with numerous international organizations in support of refugees and displaced peoples globally."
The brand is encouraging Marriott Bonvoy members to help support Ukraine by donating points to UNICEF or World Central Kitchen directly through the Marriott website. This year, Marriott Bonvoy will match donations point-for-point up to 100 million.
With more than 50 hotels currently open in Russia, Accor is focusing on supporting its roughly 3,500 employees in Russia, according to the Financial Times. The company has suspended work on five hotels currently in development in Russia and is working with European authorities and organizations to provide humanitarian relief to refugees with at least 15 hotels, five of which are in Paris, opening their doors to help, reported Bloomberg News.
Of course, there are many ways you can help as well. We've pulled together resources to help you donate to organizations that are making a critical difference during the conflict, including ways you can put your points and miles to use to help those affected by the tragic situation.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees