SmartRental Group has entered the UK market with the launch of Malacuna, its lifestyle hostel brand, opening new properties in Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham.
The three UK hostels together add more than 600 beds to SmartRental’s portfolio.
The Manchester property, located in the Northern Quarter, has 37 rooms and 132 beds, and includes Wilson’s, a 200-capacity bar and restaurant.
The Liverpool site, in a converted heritage building, has 90 rooms and 362 beds, while the Birmingham property, near Snowhill station, has 39 rooms and 126 beds.
Headquartered in Madrid, SmartRental manages around 5,000 rooms across 59 properties in Europe, including hotels, serviced apartments, hostels, student residences and co-living spaces.
The company operates 14 brands, among them Akeah Hotels, SmartRental Collection and Smartr Stays.
SmartRental reported revenue of €67m (£59m) in 2024, up 91.5% year on year. The company plans to continue expanding Malacuna in Europe, with new openings in Greece, Italy and France, and new flagship sites in Barcelona and Madrid.
Carlos Escoda, chief executive of SmartRental Group, said: “The UK is a key milestone in our international growth strategy and one of Europe’s most competitive hospitality markets. Malacuna represents an evolution of the hostel category that is design-driven and community-focused.”
