Ouvertures d’hôtels

🏠 Explorer Investments, under founding partners Rodrigo Guimarães and Elizabeth Rothfield, acquired Douro Royal Valley Hotel & SPA and Douro Palace Hotel Resort & SPA in Douro Valley, launching their Hospitality I Fund. The Douro Royal Valley Hotel, a five-star establishment with 84 rooms, was inaugurated in 2013, featuring three restaurants, an infinity pool, conference center, and a spa. The four-star Douro Palace Hotel Resort offers 60 rooms, three restaurants, vineyards, an organic farm, and a spa, set in a 10-hectare protected forest. The investment aims to enhance the hotels' national market presence and international reach, including sustainability and modernization initiatives. Explorer Investments evaluated over 100 potential hotel sector investments.

🏡 The Social Hub opened its second hotel in Florence on February 1st, featuring a €150 million, 80,000 m² establishment with 550 rooms. The hotel includes a 7,000 m² rooftop with an Olympic pool, Tuscany's largest coworking space for 500 professionals, event spaces for over 300 people, and is located in San Jacopino, near the historic center. This marks the brand's continued investment in the Italian market and Florence's sustainable development.

🏠 ZEL, co-created by Meliá Hotels International and Rafael Nadal, expands with its first establishment in Punta Cana. Following ZEL Mallorca in 2022 and ZEL Costa Brava in 2023, ZEL Punta Cana marks a significant step in the brand's American development. The hotel offers an "all inclusive" stay with 190 spacious rooms ranging from 74 to 200 m², including Suites, Master Suites, and Swim-Up Suites with private gardens and pool access. Amenities include two pools, five tennis courts, a spa, meeting spaces, six restaurants, and a beach club.

🏨 Elie Younes, Radisson Hotel Group's EVP and Global Chief Development Officer, acknowledges a successful 2024 despite global geopolitical changes. Looking forward to 2025, the group plans to leverage existing segments and partnerships while exploring new business avenues. Key 2024 achievements include the expansion of Radisson Collection to nearly 70 hotels with notable signings in Paris and Madrid, and new openings in Rome and Srinagar. The Paris location is near the Louvre, housed in a heritage-listed Haussmann building.

🎉 Located in Marigny, The Frenchmen reflects the unique culture and charm of New Orleans, known for its eclectic vibe and pedestrian-friendly streets as an alternative to Bourbon Street. The Frenchmen by Kasa, now the second property in New Orleans for Kasa, offers 27 well-designed rooms, including balcony suites overlooking local festivities like Mardi Gras parades. Kasa operates over 85 properties across the U.S. and partners with major institutions such as Starwood Capital, Berkshire, and Brookfield. Roman Pedan, founder and CEO of Kasa, expresses excitement in honoring the rich heritage of New Orleans while providing modern comfort and amenities.

🍴 Under Laurent de Gourcuff's leadership, Paris Society rejuvenates the iconic Minim's on rue Royale, Paris, transforming it into Bistrot Minim's—an authentic Parisian bistro experience. Paris Society continues its legacy of reviving exceptional venues, blending the Minim's soul with modernity and warmth. Cordélia de Castellane enhances the venue with a decor that respects its historical spirit while infusing stylish, contemporary elements.

🏨 L'Hôtel Le 56, set to open in January 2025 in Bordeaux's burgeoning Quai de Paludate, offers a fusion of Bordeaux tradition and contemporary comfort. The hotel features 89 elegant rooms, modern fitness facilities, private parking, a panoramic restaurant called Rivamour on the 6th floor, and versatile event spaces catering to both business and leisure travelers. This ambitious project marks a new chapter in the area's industrial-to-cultural metamorphosis.

🏖 Center Parcs Scandinavia opens its first resort, Nordborg Resort, in southern Denmark this summer, marking a significant milestone in the brand's 55-year history. Originating in the Netherlands, the concept focuses on immersive, playful stays in nature. Acquired by the Pierre & Vacances Group in 2003, Center Parcs faced challenges prior to the pandemic, leading to a revamp by Franck Gervais and Olivier Garaïalde's team since 2021. A staggering €740 million investment plan is set to rejuvenate 29 domains across 4 European countries, primarily financed by property owners.

⚽ 24 teams at CAN 2025, hosted from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, will stay in 5-star hotels. Morocco's team at Mohammed VI football complex, while others, like Tunisia and Algeria in Rabat; Comoros, Zambia, Mali in Casablanca; Côte d'Ivoire, Zimbabwe in Marrakech; Egypt, Cameroon in Agadir/Taghazout; and Senegal potentially in both Tanger and Marrakech.

🏠 Oakwood Premier adds new properties: Oakwood Premier Adelaide, Oakwood Premier Luohu Shenzhen, and a new one in Bali. Oakwood Premier Draycott Singapore marks the brand's return to Orchard Road in Singapore, making two Oakwood properties there. Capitalizing on the $600 billion bleisure tourism market, expected to quintuple in the next decade. 46% of travelers would take cooking classes, and 34% would shop for local foods during trips. New Oakwood properties will feature on-site dining options.