News & Stories

Berlin. The Accor brand ibis has freed itself from its last flaw and the old plastic wet room is finally a thing of the past. The contemporary tiled bathroom, the new room and snazzy lobby now put Europe's biggest hotel chain's economy brand back in the running - not only in comparison to the German low budget chain Motel One, but also worldwide. This product and its value-for-money are also intended to appeal to the burgeoning middle classes in Asia and South America: "ibis is the locomotive for Accor", new Accor CEO Sébastien Bazin stressed last Monday in the new ibis Kurfuerstendamm in Berlin, "and we will build on the innovation there."

Berlin. Already at the press conference, Sébastien Bazin willingly and with a wink, stretched out his legs with the red socks for the photographers, featuring the ibis corporate design. At the ibis party in the evening on the occasion of the 1,000th ibis hotel in the world, he even lolled in the "sweet bed" by ibis... This Monday in Berlin, Accor's new CEO displayed considerable humour at his first public appearance outside France – and gave highly analytical and precise answers in his exclusive interview with hospitalityInside.com. He forthrightly admitted several mistakes he had made as a shareholder, and explained Accor's current change in strategy in more detail, as many experts and employees of Accor do not quite understand that it was just this person – the new CEO – who contributed to the listed company's troubles in the past years as representative of Colony, a major shareholder of Accor's. This is why the interview started with a simple question: Why did you, Mr. Bazin, hire the company's most recent CEOs and fire them again?

Berlin. The Berlin state government is now quickly moving along the ban on the misuse of living space. The second of three legal hurdles have been taken on. With this, the walls continue to close in on private room mediators.

London. Small Luxury Hotels of the World was able to register a new business record for the year 2013: there was an 8-percent increase in room occupancy and a 12-percent increase in revenue compared to 2012.

Berlin. Secret Escapes from London has taken over the Berlin last minute app supplier, JustBook. Both companies announced this on Wednesday. The goal is to offer more mobile and cheaper luxury travel.

Singapore. Luxury train travel is a niche product. But nostalgia alone can no longer fill the trains. The "Eastern & Oriental Express", Asian scion of the legendary luxury group Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. also recognises this. Now a careful turn in strategy should provide for a new tempo on the Asian rails. Nicolas Pillet has drawn responsibility for E&O since the February 1, 2013. The most important job of the 43 year-old: To inspire a younger clientele toward the luxury train. During a train journey, the Frenchman, who was General Manager of the Orient-Express Hotels Ubud Hanging Gardens on Bali up to his change, chatted with our writer, Peter Hinze, about new ideas for a more fresh image, about new routes for one of the most exclusive travel experiences in Asia, about the likely resignation from Singapore, the origin of E&O, and beyond, which is why it is not quite the time to bring Lady Gaga on board yet.

Paris/Berlin. Hôtel Concorde Berlin will become a Sofitel. It will be integrated into the Accor Group under the new name Sofitel Berlin Kurfuerstendamm from the February 1, 2014. With this, Starwood Capital has further propelled the dismantling of the Concorde Group.

Milan. The present year has yet to be finished but Worldhotels is already sure to close 2013 with a double-digit growth rate, at least in terms of rooms sold on behalf of its affiliates. The group is now therefore focusing on the future, planning the launch of its own loyalty program and announcing ambitious expansion goals. Integral part of these projects is the new full-licence agreement, introduced a couple of years ago as an alternative to the most common franchise agreements. In short, Worldhotels is showing a coherent effort to expand its business model from its traditional soft brand style to the shape of The Leading Hotels of the World, and to include components of hospitality chains such as Accor or Carlson Rezidor.

Amerang/Willingen. A model, a new claim, the expansion of the guest card services and a new contribution system should contribute to the expansion and perception of the Familotel Consortium.

Chevy Chase. Ritz-Carlton aims to delight younger guests by making memories that last well. Now the luxury chain launched a new global "Ritz Kids" program and expanded its partnership with the ocean and environmental scientist Jean-Michel Cousteau.