News & Stories

For eleven years, a single hotel has been fighting for the entire industry. Now things are getting tougher for Booking.com after the private hotel Wikingerhof won its second case before the German Federal Court of Justice. Even if this is not yet the final victory, it may already influence the pending decision in the European class action lawsuit involving around 15,000 hotels.

On 24 February 2026, the British competition authority launched an investigation into the Hilton, IHG and Marriott hotel chains and the hotel information service and data analyst CoStar. 

On 16 December 2025, a landmark ruling was handed down by the Berlin Regional Court, backing German hotels in their fight against the best price clauses used by Booking. This is an important signal for the ongoing class action lawsuit against the OTA.

Apple, Google, Microsoft and Booking must disclose to the EU Commission how they protect users from fraud as part of the Digital Services Act. Will the next proceedings against tech giants follow?

Seven months after filing for insolvency under its own administration, the hotels of Lindner Hotels AG have been restructured. The designated CEO of the family-run group, Adrian Lindner (35) admits to many mistakes in an interview with hospitalityInside two days ago. Above all, he wants to regain lost trust. 

The pan-European class action lawsuit filed by hoteliers against Booking.com is a matter of billions of euros. The leading lawyer reveals this to us in today's interview. He is very confident of winning the case. 

A stable prognosis for the future is back. Achat Hotels is out of self-administered insolvency after eight months. The group has shrunk significantly but has been successfully restructured. "It was a tough ride," says Managing Director Philipp von Bodman.

Creditors unanimously approved the plans, according to the official press release issued on Tuesday, 26 August. The long-term continuation of the company is thus secured. "Our owner, Hannover Finanz, was involved throughout and remains committed to the Achat Hotels Group even after the restructuring," adds von Bodman. There are no new co-investors. 

Wellness-Hotels & Resorts GmbH has filed an application for the opening of insolvency proceedings with the Düsseldorf Local Court. 

Introduced in 2021, the law was intended to enable consumers in Berlin to immediately recognize how clean a restaurant is. Now the Berlin Senate is scraping it due to excessive bureaucracy. 

Two law firms are bundling claims for damages against the OTA in a new class action. This is based on the judgement of the CJEU from September 2024.