News & Stories
Hamburg/Frankfurt. Starting from the unconventional design idea of just one person, a small pan-European hotel group is now being developed from its roots in Hamburg. 25hours hotels depart from every category and style definition mixing elements from the luxury hotel industry with budget stay-overs. Style-breaking design. The 25hours Hotel Company creates homes for urban nomads, who enjoy the informality of creative young branches of industry.
Paris. Accor announced the sale of Red Roof Inns to a consortium comprised of Citi’s Global Special Situations Group and Westbridge Hospitality Fund, L.P. for 1.32 billion US-Dollars. In the future Accor is refocusing on it’s brand Motel 6 in the US economy market.
Berlin. They represent a growth segment, and not only on the German market. And above that, they offer chances for founders - hostels. The new hospitality type is expanding because terms like "youth hostel" and "backpacker" hotel are protected. Due to their low requirements in terms of real estate and architecture, they are in high demand among investors. However, most of them are still operated by their owners. Despite that, a few chains have formed so far. Berlin has the highest number of hostels.
Frankfurt/M. At the first press conference after many years, InterContinental Hotels Group's managers for Germany have announced their plans for the local market. With 13,645 rooms, Germany is the most important market in Europe - after England, the company's mother country. Further growth has been planned. The joint venture with the former Dorint chain is over once and for all.
Wiesbaden. All over the world, about five million people have cast a glance at the second life, the new virtual world of "Second Life" or are among the frequent visitors. While major manufacturers of branded articles have been selling their products there for many months, most hotel companies still refrain from participating. Only Starwood and its aloft brand, the Austrian private hotel Uebergossene Alm and the Dutch holiday home provider Euro Relais have dared to enter the experiment with the virtual parallel world.
Augsburg. aloft, element, 1, Indigo, Reserve… This is the new alphabet of hotel brands. Hardly a month goes by without new hotel types being created by the international hotel giants. What is it good for? Confusion. Taxi drivers swear about it and even hotel insiders are confused. The industry's problem: There are a lot of brands, but almost none of them fulfil the promises they make, says Prof. Dr. Marco Gardini of the International University of Applied Sciences in Bad Honnef. Less would therefore be more. Kurt Ritter of Rezidor recently announced that the company's range of brands will be consolidated in future. A thumbnail description of an ongoing discussion.
Berlin. In the 80th year of its company history, Marriott International shows itself to be as solid as a rock. At the traditional press talk at the ITB, the company's management was full of confidence and optimism. Last year's figures emphasised the role of the mega player. In addition to further expansion, it will invest millions in faded hotels as competition continues to be fierce.
Berlin. The definition always leads to confusion, for sure is only that designer hotels show a significant higher performance than brands of other sectors. The chains' ongoing passion for designer and lifestyle brands leads to a new "massclusivity". A discussion at the International Hotel Investment Forum, hold in Berlin two weeks ago.