News & Stories

Paris. The French real estate consultancy firm Atisreal has acquired SP & Partners, Paris, one of the Europe's leading real estate consultancy firms specialising in the hotel sector. At the same time, Atisreal starts the European business division, Atisreal Hotels.

Cologne/Munich. Insolvency proceedings threatening Dorint plc have now been avoided. By way of a so called "spin-off" solution, the German chain has secured itself a new perspective: 41 hotels cooperating with the French Accor Group will now make up a newly founded Dorint Ltd. which will be completely taken over by Ebertz & Partners, Cologne on Monday. 52 hotels remain for the moment with the old hotel company, Dorint plc., is soon to rename itself and instate Accor as majority shareholder. The decision entails the termination of the management contracts with Accor for 41 hotels.

The co-branding introduced in 2003 has also been consigned to the past: Dorint once again becomes Dorint. Accor brands too: Sofitel, Novotel and Mercure are once again to stand alone. Exceptions are made up by the three InterContinental Hotels and a Radisson SAS managed hotel similarly belonging to the Dorint co-operation.

As of April 2007, the newly formed limited company is to receive a new managing director duo: Eric Lassiaille, formerly General Manager of Dorint Resorts, and Elke Schade, present Executive Chairwoman of Ringhotels in Munich. With the before standing changes, Dorint, Germany's biggest hotel company, is to be reduced to less than half its former size. Insiders now hope the with the newly formed group, which incidentally will still employ a staff 3,000 strong, will once again place Dorint on the path to becoming a profit-making undertaking. First profits are expected for 2009.

The spin off solution was made possible in recent weeks after all funds and owners/leaseholders of Dorint Hotels agreed to further massive reductions in their leases. Once again Accor steps into the breach, this time with an equity contribution of 52 million Euros to be held as capital reserve by the new company. The new Dorint Ltd. will then operate 41 hotels from the former Dorint Accor co-operation. All details can be found at hospitalityInside.com .

New York. Hotels rates will remain at heightened 2006 levels and surge in key business centers. Air fares worldwide are expected to increase - though at a slower pace than in 2006. Continuing demand for corporate travel without a commensurate lift in supply will push costs higher across the board in 2007. 

Augsburg (January 12, 2007). The keyword "News mix" will bring to you tiny bits of news about considerable events of the past week. The following companies are mentioned today: Frankonia Eurobau, IFA, InterContinental, Istithmar, Minotel/Landidyll, Sightsleeping, Steigenberger, Taj, Thomas Cook.

St. Leon-Rot. SAP founder Dietmar Hopp, dedicated golf player and committed hotelier, is planning a new "golf-art resort" in the Rhine-Neckar area. Hopp already owns Schloss Buehlerhoehe operated by NH, and the Four Seasons Hotel Terre de Blanche at the French Côte d'Azur.

Lucerne. The Hotel Flora in prime position in Lucerne's town centre is to change hands on 1 January 2007. Up until now the hotel has been managed by the Freddy Burger Group based in Zurich. In future the hotel is to be operated by the German company Althoff Hotels & Residences.

Bad Salzuflen. Maritim Hotel Goup has concluded another management agreement via the associated HMS International Hotel GmbH concerning a hotel on Mallorca. Prior to this, the company concluded agreements for three hotels at the Spanish Costa del Sol and in Turkey.

Frankfurt/Bad Orb. The 23 million Euro "Chinese Health Paradise" in Bad Orb already stands before the collapse, just shortly after construction has begun. Shanghai investors - so the official reason - have developed cold feet after potential problems arose concerning the provision of work permits for Chinese construction workers. According to some reports, the future of the Steigenberger Hotel will be secured by a former company employee together with the Ringhotels consortia.

Augsburg. As of today, the keyword "News mix" will bring to you tiny bits of news about considerable events of the past week. The following companies are mentioned today: Moevenpick, Pandox and Rezidor.

St. Felix/Mauritius. From the mountains to the sea: on December 20, 2006, the Shanti Ananda opens in the south of Mauritius. It is the first sister hotel of the well-known Ananda - in the Himalayas located in India.