News & Stories

Augsburg. The budget wave rolls on, but the next wave can be seen just as clearly: The mid-scale brands are coming. As is so often, the American chains are playing front runner once again. They initially export their US concepts to Great Britain where they can more easily find suitable partners. Then, the brands are further transported to Continental Europe and East Europe. However: Are these truly independent products or only trimmed-down "mother's luxury brands"? Their distinction from hotels in higher or low categories is difficult, which is why Georg Schlegel speaks of "hybrid models". The Senior Development Director EAME with Starwood Hotels & Resorts analyses the market and the prevailing circumstances of mid-scale brands.

Vienna. The problems of Cube Hotels are solved with the unbundling of the interest ranges between the majority shareholders of the Vienna International Hotelmanagement AG and Rudolf Tucek.

Paris. After Geneva, London, Munich, Prague, Barcelona and waiting for Milan to open next year, Mandarin Oriental Group just inaugurated its new hotel in Paris' rue Saint-Honoré, in the heart of the shopping and cultural district of the Opéra. Almost four years of construction work were needed to turn this thirties building into a luxurious hotel. Local and international press already consider the 5-star hotel as “the new temple of luxury” in Paris. Definetly “haute couture” to fit with jewelery shops of the famous Place Vendôme, the Mandarin Oriental Paris is killing the show when it comes to location, space, interior design, spa and food.

Geneva. The Senior Vice Presidents for Sales & Marketing and for Sales, Juerg Siegenthaler and Christian Renz, left Kempinski Hotels on 1 July. The reason is the restructuring of sales. There have also been staffing changes at the Kempinski Emirate Palace Abu Dhabi.

Vienna. After his involuntary departure as CEO of Vienna International Hotels, Rudolf Tucek has returned to the scene with new plans. He's previously had problems with VI as the task is to divide up 33 hotel management contract.

London. The recent victim of the Taliban, the "Inter-continental" in Kabul is not an IHG InterContinental hotel. The "wrong" Interconti is making the rounds in the media. IHG’s only reaction: an unprofessional statement.

Frankfurt/Munich. In regard to the pitch by six Social Media agencies, Susanne Weiss, Chairwoman of Ringhotels, can only shake her head months later. Their strategy outlines for their mid-class hoteliers were as confused as the entire market. But above all, they began at too high a level for 3- and 4-star hoteliers. Now an "Internet Driver's Licence" has been produced for a start and their Social Media-experienced leader provides an understanding on the subject in small doses. However, Romantik Hotels & Restaurants easily guides all web and Social Media activities centrally - with increasing success in all channels. They also systematically approach the subject. Nevertheless: Both consortia – the largest in the German-speaking realm – cannot yet afford to entirely renounce paper.

Berlin. Design Hotels is still scooping up new members primarily from Europe, "nevertheless, Asia will come". Claus Sendlinger, CEO of the global consortium currently with 204 hotels in 120 destinations made no secret of where the potential for the future lies in a recent meeting of the members in Berlin. A clear trend in the distribution per online reservations through their own booking engine and the hotel websites is to be recognised. "This makes us think about new services in direct distribution channels," says Sendlinger. Now the group is working on a new consumer strategy. For a long time, the Design Hotels never looked so creative and ready to take up competition with the big chains in particular since the mad rush is increasingly stronger under the professional, private hotels.

Dubai. Rumours, which hospitalityInside.com already got wind of at IHIF in Berlin in March, were refuelled by an interview: Kingdom Hotel Investments is examining its 33.3 percent stake in Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts.

Hong Kong. Dallas-based hotel group Rosewood Hotels & Resorts will be acquired by a Chinese company also operating German-based pentahotels.