Ouvertures d’hôtels

🏨 Minor Hotels unveiled its rebranded focus on customer needs and commitment to innovative hospitality experiences. The brand refresh is a strategic move towards adding nearly 300 establishments to its portfolio by end of 2027, following the 2018 acquisition of NH Hotel Group, now Minor Hotels Europe & Americas. This expansion tripling the group's global footprint.

☕ Columbus Café is expanding with nearly 10 coffee shops in the Bordeaux region, including a new 60 m² shop in Bègles at Cultura, opening on March 24. Anthony Donnart, franchisee of this shop, will run 4 local franchises. Six shops existed as of late 2024; three openings are planned for 2025, including the Cultura Bègles and Bordeaux Victoire. The Bègles outlet will operate Monday to Saturday, from 9:00 to 18:00, with a manager and 3 baristas hired. Donnart also runs franchises at Mérignac Soleil, Cultura Mérignac, and Bordeaux Lac.

🏦 Eternam structured the acquisition of 4-star hotels in Strasbourg, Nice, and Toulouse in 2017 for private investors. Managed by Honotel, owned by LBO France's real estate fund, the portfolio saw an Ebitda growth exceeding 100%, demonstrating resilience and value creation potential. Frédéric Maxwell of Eternam confirmed the successful sale despite recent impactful events, highlighting the hotel market's strength. LBO France advised by Valther and Eternam by Belay Avocats for the transaction.

🏨 Salter Brothers partners with Tokyo Century as investment manager for the joint development of the Indigo Changi Airport hotel alongside OUE Limited. This partnership aims to elevate luxury hospitality at Singapore's Changi Airport, with the hotel set to redefine high-end accommodation standards by offering an authentic local experience to discerning travelers. With construction planned for completion in 2028, the hotel will combine modern design, immersive experiences, and sustainable practices, reinforcing Singapore as a global travel destination. Paul Salter and Rahul Ghai of Salter Brothers express enthusiasm for the collaboration and the value it will offer to travelers and investors. Tokyo Century's Yoichiro Nakai emphasizes the project's alignment with their growth and expansion goals.

🏨 Pandox AB, a key player in the European hotel industry, acquired the Elite Hotel Frost in Kiruna, Sweden, for 347 million Swedish crowns (€32 million). This hotel, opening in June 2025, will feature 154 rooms, two restaurants, a sky bar, a conference room, a spa, and a gym. The deal follows their purchase of Pullman Cologne in Germany, demonstrating Pandox's strategic expansion in high-potential business and tourism regions.

🏨 Hilton is set to reach 1,000 hotels in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) by spring, with recent openings like Signia by Hilton Amman, Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof, Spark by Hilton Stuttgart Sindelfingen, and upcoming openings including Sax Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Maison Heler Metz, Curio Collection by Hilton, and The Marcus Hotel Portrush, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. Hilton also announced an exclusive partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) last year, enhancing its luxury hotel portfolio. They plan to introduce Tempo by Hilton lifestyle brand in the EMEA region, with confirmed signings in Belfast, Lisbon, and Reykjavik.

🏡 Opened on March 27, 2025, Maison Heler—designed by Philippe Starck and dubbed the "hôtel Starck"—is a new luxury symbol in Metz's Amphithéâtre quarter. Known for its striking architecture blending modernity with historical heritage, it hosts 104 rooms and suites, creating a unique experience that melds artistic vision with luxury, just in time for the Michelin Guide ceremony at the nearby Convention Center.

🏛 The Standard hotel brand expands in Europe, opening a new hotel in Brussels in May 2025. Located in the ZIN redevelopment project, the hotel will occupy a refurbished tower of the former World Trade Center. The Standard, Brussels will feature 200 rooms and suites across 28 floors, offering panoramic city views, a multipurpose lobby, and a botanical garden. Design by Verena Haller and architects Jaspers-Eyers and Bernard Dubois, it showcases post-war modernism, Belgian brutalism, American 1970s, and Japanese postmodern architecture. Three dining concepts include Double Standard and the 29th-floor panoramic restaurant Lila29.

🏖️ IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the upcoming opening of two properties in Cascais, Portugal: Onyria Marinha Cascais, Vignette Collection, and Kimpton Quinta da Marinha Cascais. Onyria Marinha features 111 rooms, two restaurants, a bar, 10 event spaces, pools, a tennis club, and a wellness spa. Kimpton offers 198 rooms, including 10 suites, dining options, a golf course, and family amenities. The launch reflects IHG's growth in luxury and lifestyle segments and a strategic partnership with Grupo Onyria, a local tourism sector leader.

🏨 🏨 Handwritten Collection to add over 10 new hotels in Europe by 2025, half in France. The brand, with 20+ locations worldwide, highlights expansion in major European markets. Among the French openings is the 39-room Hôtel Kasano in Calvi, Corsica, featuring modern art and a wellness area, debuting in April. Other openings include Hôtel de l'Abbaye du Tronchet with a spa and MICE space, and the 32-room Hôtel Madison in Saint-Jean-de-Luz with a brasserie and spa. New establishments are also planned for Paris, Lille, and Lyon. Rocca a Mare Heraklion in Greece will offer 36 rooms with sea views and high-tech amenities.