IHG announced that the InterContinental Sao Paulo had concluded the initial phase of a multi-phase renovation of the property, with the lobby, restaurant and half of its guest rooms now completed. The facelift is part of a multi-phase plan to fully renovate the InterContinental São Paulo, currently celebrating its 15th anniversary. The renovation’s contemporary design is currently spearheaded by Brazilian architect Patricia Anastassiadis.

Riu Plaza Guadalajara opened last week in Guadalajara, the capital of the state of Jalisco, as the Spain-based company’s first city hotel in Mexico. The property is also the second hotel in the urban Riu Plaza brand, which was announced in 2009 and made its debut in September 2010 with the opening of the Riu Plaza Panama City.

STR Global reports hotel construction is growing across the globe, according to the company’s report for May. The Asia/Pacific hotel development pipeline continues to lead the pack, with 1,227 hotels totaling 302,858 rooms.

Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism (MTur) has partnered with its National Institute of Industrial Metrology and Quality (Inmetro) to launch a Brazilian System for the Qualification of Accommodation Options (SBClass) that will provide accommodation ratings for visitors, said MTur officials.

Miami’s newest hotel, Dream South Beach -- which enjoys its official grand opening this week -- is the latest addition to South Beach’s Collins Avenue, located in the Art Deco Historic District.

Spain-based Iberostar Hotels & Resorts acquired the Hilton Cancun Hotel, which will be renamed Iberostar Cancun. The cost of the initiative, including purchase and renovation, is over $100 million. Effective immediately, the five-star hotel complex located in Cancun is officially owned by Iberostar and marks the brand’s eighth property in Mexico.