La Tribune de lHotellerie

🏨 IHG Hotels & Resorts surpasses 200 hotel openings in Northern Europe, debuting brands in four countries. Germany to welcome Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, mid-range Garner, and Candlewood Suites by early 2025. Hungary opens first Kimpton and Vignette Collection hotels; Sweden and Poland introduce voco hotels. Continued expansion in cities like Krakow, Munich, and Lublin, with 30 new Holiday Inn openings in partnership with NOVUM Hospitality. Mario Maxeiner, Northern Europe Managing Director, comments on the growth and local investment.

🍑 Peachbeach UC, owned by Irish businessman Eamon Waters, proposed a 6-story building with 66 keys and 23 mixed-use apartments on Lower Baggot Street, Dublin. Opposition led by Merrion Hotel's General Manager Peter MacCann, citing damage due to proximity and elevation, resulted in Dublin City Council rejecting the construction permit due to the detrimental height to neighboring properties.

🏠 In Yaoundé, an agreement was signed between the Cameroonian state and Belgian investor IIDG/Hôtel Group on October 16, 2023, to build a 32-story hotel complex, initially intended to be operated by Marriott. As of September 3, 2024, Africa Intelligence reports that Four Seasons, Kasada (led by Olivier Granet), and Moroccan group Al Mada are showing interest in the project, which has been in the works since 2019.

🏨 Project launch before 2021 suspended due to unfavorable conditions; revived with Voltere Consulting's support. Transformation of historical sandstone buildings into a luxury hotel complex with 60 rooms and suites, premium apartments, a brasserie, gourmet restaurant, wellness services, and seminar room. GMH, a key player in European hospitality and manager of Castlewood Hotels (850 rooms, 15 restaurants, mainly in Germany), to run the Fréland establishment. GMH's only French hotel is Château Saint-Michel in Burgundy, with plans for Paris, Courchevel, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and Fréland. Expected opening in 2027, aiming to set a regional benchmark.

🎭 Casa de las Artes in Madrid, part of the Meliá Collection, offers an immersive cultural experience in the city center. The hotel's design, by architects Álvaro Sans and Adriana Sans from ASAH studio, is inspired by Spanish literary figure Miguel de Cervantes. General Manager Belen Diaz Prada oversees artistic experiences including workshops, exhibitions, and film screenings. Unique facilities include a 1950s Hollywood-style private cinema and a cozy library, complemented by a thermal pool and fitness center.

🏨 Israel Canada (DNA) acquired operations, management, and portfolio of Brown Hotels Collection. Brown has 15 hotels in Tel Aviv, 7 elsewhere in Israel, 2 in Greece, 1 in Croatia. Israel Canada Hotels, 68% owned by Israel Canada, non-listed, now has about 3,600 rooms, including Brown's assets. Hachshara retains a 30% stake in Brown. Brown's Israeli hotels are leased; properties abroad are owned.