Reading Time: 2 minutesUS: Blackstone Real Estate Partners and Starwood Capital Group have increased their offer to purchase Extended Stay America to $20.50 per share, $1 per share more than their initial offer.

Reading Time: 2 minutesUK: The shortlisted entries for the 2021 Serviced Apartment Awards have been announced, in advance of the awards ceremony on June 24th in London.

Reading Time: 2 minutesSingapore: Oakwood has signed a management agreement for a new property in Bangkok and opened a property outside Hangzhou.

Reading Time: < 1 minuteSouth Africa: WINK Aparthotels will take over management of Quivertree Stellenbosch on August 1st.

Reading Time: < 1 minuteUK: Plans to convert vacant offices above the 02 Academy in Birmingham into an aparthotel have received planning consent.

Reading Time: 3 minutesSingapore: Ascott says it is the first hospitality company to offer its guests global access to a comprehensive suite of telehealth, telecounselling and travel security advisory services.

Reading Time: 2 minutesUK: Developer Aimrok Holdings has released a drone fly-through of its aparthotel project The Gresham in Leicester.

Reading Time: 2 minutesSpain: Following the announcement of five European locations throughout 2022 and 2023, The Hoxton in Barcelona will debut the brand’s latest room category which caters to long stay guests.

Reading Time: 2 minutesUAE: Ascott plans to grow its Middle East, Africa and Turkey region by more than 1800 units by the end of 2022, and 6,000 units by 2025.

Reading Time: 2 minutesUS: Three directors who have been nominated to the board at Extended Stay America Inc by said on Tuesday that a proposed sale undervalues the company and they can help create value as board members if the company remains independent.