Leonardo Hotels, a prominent name in the hospitality industry, is a hotel chain headquartered in Berlin. With over 160 properties (as of August 2022), it is part of the Fattal Hotel Group. This article explores the remarkable journey of this hotel chain, highlighting its growth, expansion, and influential presence in the global travel market.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Expansion
The story of Leonardo Hotels begins in 2006 when David Fattal, a visionary hotelier from Haifa, Israel, established the hotel group. At the time, he was already leading Fattal Holdings Ltd, a tourism company based in Tel Aviv. The first Leonardo Hotel opened its doors in Nuremberg, Germany, marking the beginning of a significant journey. The distinctive logo was officially registered in 2007 by the German Patent and Trademark Office, with international registration following in 2008.
With the Leonardo Hotels brand, Fattal embarked on an ambitious plan to expand his hotel portfolio internationally. He began by acquiring hotels primarily in Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland. This expansion was driven by a combination of self-funding and investments from funds. The company’s growth continued through acquisitions and new constructions in Israel (around 2009), Hungary (from 2011), Austria (from 2012), the United Kingdom (from 2015), Spain (from 2015), Italy (since 2015), the Netherlands (since 2016), the Czech Republic (since 2016), Ireland (since 2017), Poland (since 2017), and Romania (since 2021). In April 2022, the hotel group announced the establishment of a fund dedicated to further expanding its footprint in Europe.
A Strong Foundation: Ownership and Management
Leonardo Hotels is a subsidiary of Fattal Holdings (1998) Ltd. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sunflower Management GmbH & Co. KG, manages the hotel chain in Europe. Leonardo Hotels are either owned by Fattal Holdings or one of its subsidiaries or leased. In 2021, Leonardo Hotels Central Europe alone employed 2,700 individuals.
Leadership and Brand Family
Yoram Biton, born in 1967, leads the Leonardo Hotels Central Europe division as Managing Director, based in Berlin. Under the Leonardo brand, four hotel sub-brands have emerged: Leonardo Hotels, Leonardo Boutique Hotels, Leonardo Royal Hotels, and NYX Hotels by Leonardo Hotels.
A Network of Properties: Acquisitions and Growth
As of August 2022, the Leonardo Hotels group boasts over 160 properties, including the main brand and sub-brands. Germany houses the most Leonardo Hotels. Among the most significant acquisitions are the Jurys Inn hotels in the United Kingdom and Ireland (51 hotels as of April 2022), the Apollo Hotels in the Netherlands and Belgium (13 hotels as of August 2018), and a portfolio of six hotels in the Balearic Islands.
The story of Leonardo Hotels is a testament to the vision and dedication of its founders and the company’s consistent commitment to expansion and growth. From its humble beginnings in Germany, the hotel chain has expanded its reach to numerous countries across Europe, becoming a prominent player in the global hospitality market. The future of Leonardo Hotels appears bright, with a dedicated fund and a proven track record of successful expansion, promising continued growth and innovation in the years to come.
