Gianluca Miserendino

🏨 Minor Hotels plans to open nearly 300 new hotels in the next three years, reaching a total of 850 properties. Already boasting over 560 properties and 81,000 rooms globally, their expansion includes 47,000 new rooms. Focused on market diversification, with more than 50% in Europe, the group will add over 100 properties in Asia, 60+ in the Middle East and Africa, and 40 in Australia and New Zealand. Strategic markets include North America and Northern Asia with key emerging markets like Morocco, Egypt, and Turkey. The luxury and upscale segments drive growth, with one-third of new openings in luxury brands like Anantara, Tivoli, and Elewana Collection. By 2025, Minor Hotels will launch two new brands and emphasize branded residences in over a dozen countries. Their expansion plan comprises 38% conversions and advanced projects, while the rest are new developments. The group's "asset-right" model aims to balance ownership with leasing, management, and franchising, targeting a 50% balance by 2027, with over 90% of new development projects under management contracts or franchising.

🏛 Ekn Development, a Californian group, allocated €64 million for the restoration of the Grand Hotel San Pellegrino in Bergamo, Italy. Originally opened in 1904 and closed in 1979, the hotel was purchased in 2000 by the Province and later transferred to the Municipality. It's set to reopen in 2029 under a 99-year concession agreement with San Pellegrino Terme. The hotel will feature a spa, luxury shops, a restaurant, a bar under the dome with a library and terrace, 118 rooms, an infinity pool, a hot tub, bocce courts, outdoor seating & gardens. The hotel management will be entrusted to an experienced company.

🏠 Accor signed a franchising agreement for the Handwritten Collection brand's debut in Piedmont, with the Hotel Giacomo Morra Alba – Handwritten Collection opening in March. The renovated hotel features 92 rooms including 4 suites, combining modern comforts with local heritage. It has an internal courtyard, a Green House, a bar with a wide wine selection, 3 modular meeting rooms for up to 80 people, and a Fitness and Gym area. The Handwritten Collection launched in 2023 and opened 20 properties in the past year in cities like Paris, Malta, Sydney, Shanghai, Phuket, and Krakow. Italy's first was the Relais San Martino in Taviano. With about 25 hotels under development and over 150 projects in negotiation, the brand aims to be one of the fastest-growing globally.

🏨 Starwood, after a $13 billion merger with Marriott nine years ago, is set to re-emerge led by Barry Sternlicht, head of SH Hotels & Resorts. Starwood Capital Group confirmed a rebranding to Starwood Hotels in February, managing Baccarat, 1 Hotels, Treehouse, and a fourth brand in development. The new portfolio comprises approximately 40 hotels, with notable projects in Austin, Seattle, Crete, Miami, Manchester, Dubai, Maldives, Rome, and upcoming openings in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

📌 Invel Real Estate & YellowSquare's strategic partnership involves a €200 million investment targeting Italy and Southern Europe to manage 5,000 beds. Invel has experience with over 2,000 keys in the Mediterranean, while YellowSquare has 20+ years in the industry. The new investment vehicle, 100% owned by Invel, will develop assets in Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal. The deal is expected to close by Q1 2025. YellowSquare hosted over 100,000 guests in 2023, generating €14.4 million in revenue, a 37% increase from 2022. Upcoming YellowSquare openings include Turin, Venice, and Bologna.