Today’s news in brief – 12/5/25
Tarka Edinburgh has secured a £10.3m investment from OakNorth Bank to support the launch of a 242-pod capsule hostel and Japanese-themed rooftop bar in central Edinburgh. The development will repurpose a six-storey vacant building near St Andrews Square into a tech-enabled hospitality hub. Guests will be able to check in, book services, and access information via a multilingual mobile app. The project will operate under two new brands: Tarka (capsule hostel) and Nana Kai (rooftop bar). Led by entrepreneur James Scott and a team including ex-Generator Hostels executives, the concept aims to modernise the hostel experience. OakNorth cited the profitability and growing appeal of capsule hotels in urban centres across Europe as key factors behind their investment.
Elegant Hotel Collection has appointed Anita Chan as CEO for Asia Pacific under a joint venture agreement aimed at expanding the brand’s presence in the region. Powered by HotelREZ, Elegant is a luxury soft brand that partners with independent hotels. Chan, previously CEO of Compass Edge and a veteran of global hotel groups like Small Luxury Hotels of the World, will continue to lead Compass Edge while growing Elegant’s membership base across Asia Pacific. She praised the brand’s distinctive value for discerning travellers and independent hoteliers. HotelREZ CEO Mark Lewis highlighted the brand’s balance of luxury affiliation with flexible, cost-effective pricing, helping hotels boost returns while maintaining their independence.
Great Wolf Resorts, a North American operator of indoor water park resorts, has unveiled plans to develop a major new resort near Clowne in Bolsover District. The proposed project features a 500+ room hotel, indoor water park, conference centre, mini-golf, games arcade, and a variety of dining venues. The site could create up to 500 jobs and offer day-pass access for local residents. A public consultation will take place on 20 May to gather community feedback. Great Wolf Resorts, which runs more than 20 resorts in the US and Canada, also has UK projects planned in Bicester and Basingstoke. Bolsover District Council welcomed the proposal as a potential economic and recreational boost.
Palé Hall Estate has opened The Bryntirion Inn, a gastropub with rooms near Bala, North Wales, following a £1m refurbishment. The historic inn, dating back to 1695, blends local pub tradition with elevated dining by chef Tristan Fitt. It features six mountain-themed bedrooms, family and pet-friendly amenities, and a relaxed but refined atmosphere. Owner Anthony Cooper-Barney said the inn was created to serve both locals and visitors with authentic hospitality and locally sourced food.
