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e.koureli1

49 posts

A 1914 department store becomes a 2026 growth signal for Líbere Hospitality Group

🏢 Líbere Hospitality Group has acquired a historic building on Church Street in Liverpool ONE, originally designed in 1914 by Gerald de Courcy Fraser. It's being converted into a 148-key serviced apartment scheme with 141 units and seven coffee-station studios. Líbere operates across 5 countries and 16 cities. In 2025, it managed 28 assets, hosting 227,174 guests. This Liverpool project follows expansion into Italy and plans to increase its Paris capacity to 19 apartments.
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  • 3 min

Ruby tests its lean luxury thesis in Italy’s deepest market

📍 Ruby Group's Milan venture will feature a 128-room hotel, scheduled for 2028 in the Isola district as the third Italian property. This aligns with their dense European urban market strategy, debuted in Rome. Supported by a partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts, Ruby uses a "Lean Luxury" model for efficient growth. The initiative reinforces Ruby's position in high-liquidity markets, bolstered by collaboration with Kervis SGR for urban redevelopment.
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Noted Collection: Can IHG stand out in a crowded tier?

📈 InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) targets launching the Noted Collection, a premium brand aimed at capturing over 150 hotels globally in the next decade. Targeting 2.3 million independent upscale rooms worldwide, this move caters to owners of unique hotels seeking brand affiliation but not prescriptive models. Leveraging 160 million IHG One Rewards members, the strategy enhances premium segment positioning and emphasizes conversion growth amid new-build constraints. Chief Executive Elie Maalouf highlights owner interest in platform advantage.
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As pipelines swell, Nikki Beach Hospitality tightens brand control

📈 Julie Desvaux became the global marketing head for Nikki Beach in early 2026, as the brand expands in Antigua, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, and Baku. Her role focuses on brand coherence, digital capability, and cross-market distribution alignment. With over 20 years of experience, Desvaux has held senior roles at Les Airelles, Groupe Barrière, and Compagnie Lebon. Her strategic vision is crucial as Nikki Beach launches new lifestyle hotels and reinforces its brand governance across international markets.
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Cannes takes control of its off-season narrative

🏠 Cannes is deploying its “Cannes in Winter” strategy for the second year, from November 2025 to April 2026, targeting France, the UK, Italy, Germany, and Scandinavia. With 374 panels aiming for over five million impressions, the campaign spans Paris metro and airports like Geneva and Frankfurt. Partnering with Booking.com, it taps into 30 million monthly visitors. A special focus includes Valentine’s Day, with Staycation and VeryChic to bolster hotel performance in the off-season.
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Reposition first, expand later: Ascott’s UK Playbook

🏨 On Granby Street near Leicester railway station, the Grand Hotel, built in the early 1900s, reopens with 104 uniquely designed rooms and event spaces, including Kings Hall for 300 guests. Managed by The Ascott Limited, it blends Art Deco and local traditions. O.W at The Grand offers local cuisine, boosting non-room revenue. This heritage-led approach supports Ascott's selective European growth, showcasing heritage as a growth strategy in mature markets.
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Which city comes next in MEININGER’s expansion?

🏨 The Liberties, Dublin, is set to welcome a MEININGER hotel in April 2028 featuring 232 rooms and 811 beds. This project aligns with Dublin’s urban regeneration efforts and MEININGER's hybrid hotel-hostel model, which operates in 36 locations. Dublin becomes the eighth city under development in their European expansion, with a target of 50 locations. This initiative responds to the city's high hotel occupancy and cultural appeal, enhancing accommodation diversity.
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  • 8 min

Hotel development 2026: what brand formats deliver best?

🏨 Marriott and Hyatt dominate Europe's hotel development in 2026. Marriott reported a net room growth of 4.3% in 2025, adding 700+ properties and 100,000 rooms, with 75% of conversions completed within 12 months. Hyatt's global pipeline includes 148,000 rooms, a 7% increase from 2024, emphasizing lifestyle and upper-upscale brands. In the Mediterranean, Hilton and Hyatt expand with new luxury and lifestyle openings, including the Waldorf Astoria Rabat Salé and Hyatt Regency Mazagan.
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Clef Verte 2018–2025: How France turned an ecolabel into a market standard

📚 Clef Verte certified 603 establishments in France in 2018. By 2020, it increased to 643. Growth accelerated, reaching 1,077 in 2023. By 2026, 3,035 establishments were certified. Hotels led category growth, with 1,471 certified by 2025. Best Western aimed for 100% certification by 2026. Certification supports sustainability KPIs and aligns with corporate procurement. Clef Verte has evolved from a niche to a mainstream market requirement, enhancing credibility and supporting resource efficiency in hospitality.
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Mag HON 362-363: Four Seasons shifts into a higher gear across all segments

🏨 Four Seasons, backed by Prince Al Waleed and Bill Gates for 25 years, operates nearly 130 hotels globally, aiming for 180 by 2033. Reopenings include New York in late 2024 and The Biltmore Santa Barbara. Upcoming projects span Naples Beach, Europe, Saudi Arabia, and Asia-Pacific, with a focus on luxury. Celebrating 40 years in luxury residences, Four Seasons has 55 properties in 20 countries. More than half of new projects feature residential components.
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