News & Stories
Vienna. After a difficult launch in November 2022, in the middle of Covid, and its location in the midst of a neighbourhood oversaturated with hotels around Vienna's main railway station, the relatively unknown Mooons Hotel is getting off to such a good start that further properties of the operator Munich Hotel Partners are only a matter of time.
Berlin. It’s impossible to stop the comparisons with the record year 2019. After all, statements like these are starting to make all operators look good - but only for as long as the record occupancy and rates figures keep coming. All the rest is only touched upon in individual details, certainly not as part of a broader picture. Currently, only their partners remain notably in the shadows: Project developers and financiers teeter on the bring as government(s) and banks place obstacles in their paths. The figures show the shadow is getting longer. Yet the optimists still claim that everything will be fine.
Vienna/Budapest. In Western Europe many desirable locations are already saturated with international brands. Compared to that, big brands view Central & Eastern Europe as virgin territory. The groups are correspondingly active. Smaller national groups have established a clear profile, international brands are gaining market presence through franchises. A lot is going on.
Cologne. This story begins with the fusty brand name Ghotel and ends with sweet chocolate. It all goes back to the British-American actor Cary Grant: While filming in St. Louis, he discreetly lured his lover into the right hotel room and up to the pillow with a trail of chocolates... The chocolate on the pillow. Now, German owner-operator Ghotel makes use of the same tactic to lay a trail to their new, more international umbrella brand "The Chocolate on The Pillow Group".
Schwäbisch Hall/Munich. 50 years ago, the Ringhotels formed to distinguish themselves from the US chains that have since conquered the German market. Today, many of the family-run businesses compete with the international brands, keeping up in product quality, distribution and technology, but not in structure. A look back and ahead on the occasion of the anniversary.
Frankfurt/Stockholm. Danish brand Zleep, included within the Deutsche Hospitality family since 2019, has opened its first two hotels outside Denmark and is again steering its expansion out of Copenhagen. Sweden's Scandic Group announced the Scandic Go economy brand last week and is fine-tuning the final details at its premier hotel in Stockholm. A conversation with Zleep CEO Peter Haaber and with Scandic's Senior Vice President Portfolio Development, Jesper Engman.
Cannes/London. Over the past five years, IHG has been on a transformational journey. Through launching new brands, acquiring others, investing over 300 million dollars in technology and revamping its loyalty program, as well as becoming more customer centric. An interview with Tom Rowntree, Vice President Global Luxury Brands at IHG discovering the potential of old luxury and new lifestyle brands.
Cannes. When Katara Hospitality acquires a grand hotel, they usually invest hefty sums. And the Carlton Cannes was no exception. Katara put in at least 350 million euros in this iconic property, which recently opened as The Regent Cannes. The result is an impressively timeless but rejuvenated beach resort in the middle of the city, for leisure and business guests. After a successful soft opening, the palace is now fully operational and ready for the Film Festival and its pool of celebrities in May.
Hamburg. Adagio aims to further establish itself as the European market leader in the aparthotel industry and plans to exceed 220 properties by the end of 2024. CEO Xavier Desaulles is convinced that Adagio plays the central role in Accor's European extended-stay strategy.
Munich. In 2022, the German hotel group Motel One generated its highest turnover of over 600 million euros in the history of the business. The expansion is continuing at a rapid pace, in Europe and the US. "We have never had this many projects on our plate before," said Co-CEO Stefan Lenze. The second brand, Cloud One, which opened in New York, will soon be available in Germany at two locations. Design and service will become even more individual and delicate.