INTERNATIONAL REPORT—From recent openings to properties in development, here’s a look at hotel activity abroad:
Iberostar to Open First Hotel in Rome
In 2019, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts will open its first hotel in the center of Rome, the Iberostar Fontana di Trevi. The company has set its sights on Italy to boost its city hotels segment with this five-star boutique hotel.
The hotel is housed in a six-story, 19th-century building that combines Renaissance and Neo-Renaissance style elements. In addition to 67 rooms and a wide range of exclusive services, the hotel also has a rooftop terrace.
Canopy by Hilton Opens Doors in Croatian Capital
Canopy by Hilton opened its first hotel in continental Europe, Canopy by Hilton Zagreb. The hotel, which joins Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik in the brand’s European portfolio, is situated in the heart of Croatia’s capital, near the city’s main rail station and the upcoming Branimir Centar shopping mall.
Canopy by Hilton Zagreb has 151 rooms, including eight spacious suites. The interiors of the rooms are inspired by the long industrial history of the local neighborhood, with local textiles and artwork featured throughout.
Mama Shelter Plants Flag in Toulouse, France
Mama Shelter opened its fifth French property—Mama Shelter Toulouse. The property is located behind the facade of an old movie palace off Boulevard Lazare Canot, and a 10-minute walk from both the city center and Basilica St.-Sernin, the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe.
Headed by renowned designer, Thierry Gaugain, Mama Shelter Toulouse has 120 rooms, each cozy with creature comforts and coupled with all the needs of digital modernity, such as spacious king beds and high-speed WiFi. A total of three meeting rooms, a huge outdoor terrace, and a 46-seat cinema for screenings and presentations are perfect for any events or gatherings.
Mama Shelter Toulouse falls on the heels of two additional Mama properties opening this year: Belgrade and Prague.
Yotel Plans Opening in Portugal
Yotel plans to operate a new hotel in Porto, Portugal, in 2019. The hotel will be located on Rua de Gonçalo Cristóvão, in the heart of the traditional centre of Porto, adjacent to the city’s business district—Rua de Santa Catarina.
Integrating the fundamentals of luxury hotels into smaller smartly designed spaces, and will offer approximately 147 rooms, known as cabins. As per typical Yotel style, each cabin will have a signature space-saving adjustable SmartBed with Serta gel mattress, en-suite bathrooms with rain showers, mood lighting and HD TVs that can easily be connected to guests’ own devices.
A New Aria Hotels Boutique Property Under Development
Aria Hotels, a boutique hotel and villas company wholly owned by the Libra Group, has added to its portfolio of properties on Crete. The Island Concept is a luxury boutique hotel at Agios Nikolaos currently under development by Mirum Hellas. The hotel is expected to open its doors in 2019. This brings the total number of Aria hotels and holiday villas in Greece to 28. The company has added eight Greek properties to its portfolio in the last 12 months.
Radisson Hotel Group Opens 11th Hotel in Poland
Park Inn by Radisson opened a 166-room hotel in Poznan, Poland. This brings the group’s Polish portfolio to 16 hotels and more than 3,500 rooms in operation or under development. Radisson Hotel Group’s international brands are represented in almost all key cities of Poland—including Warsaw, Krakow, Katowice, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Szczecin, Swinoujscie, and now also in Poznan.
Six Senses Crans-Montana on Track to Open in 2021
Six Senses Crans-Montana marks the first resort and residential project in Switzerland for Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, in the picturesque Alpine destination of Crans-Montana. Accommodations include 47 fully furnished apartments and 17 residences in the heart of the Swiss Alps, due to launch in 2021. Slated to open in 2021, the resort and residences will both be managed by the Six Senses hotel group.
BridgeStreet Launches Mode Aparthotel in Scotland
BridgeStreet has brought its Mode Aparthotel experience to Edinburgh, Scotland. This concept combines the space and freedom of apartment living with exceptional 24/7 hospitality and facilities—alongside the advanced technology and comfort demanded by today’s business traveler. Eighty two contemporary apartments offer urban living in the heart of the city for an immersive local experience to work, explore, connect and relax.
Bahia Principe Opens 25th Hotel
Bahia Principe opened its 25th hotel, a five-star Fantasia-brand resort in the island of Tenerife, Spain. Fantasia Bahia Principe Tenerife in San Miguel de Abona represents a $90-million investment that will position the brand as the benchmark in high-end family vacation tourism, according to the company.
The brand’s first newly constructed property in Spain since 2003 is a sprawling complex that has eight buildings spread throughout more than 480,000 sq. ft. There are 372 rooms, seven swimming pools, five restaurants, six bars, a water park, the brand’s signature Bahia Spa, and wellness center, among other features.
Rosewood to Open in 2020
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has been appointed by Italian real estate company Gruppo Barletta to manage Rosewood Venice, which is set to open in 2020 as the luxury brand’s second property in Italy and eighth in Europe. Located in the heart of the bustling Cannaregio neighborhood, Rosewood Venice will be housed within the magnificent fifteenth century Palazzo Dona’ Giovannelli and located near many of the city’s most legendary landmarks, including the Strada Nova, Piazza San Marco, Basilica di San Marco, and Palazzo Ducale.
Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz, France to Join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has revealed that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Socomix for the Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz, France. This historic, luxury palace will be the third property in France to join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand, alongside Hôtel du Louvre in Paris and Hôtel Martinez in Cannes.
As the sixth property in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt in Europe, the 142-room hotel will mark a significant milestone for the brand’s growth. In addition to Hôtel du Palais, Great Scotland Yard Hotel in London and Parisi Udvar Hotel in Budapest are expected to open under this brand before the end of 2019.
Hotel Sofia Barcelona to Join the Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Hyatt Hotels Corporation unveiled plans for Hotel Sofia Barcelona to join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, a global collection. A Hyatt affiliate has entered into a franchise agreement with Selenta Group for the hotel to join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand in January 2019. The 465-room property is located in central Barcelona and owned and managed by Selenta Group.