Leonardo Hotels is a thriving hotel chain with its roots in Berlin, Germany. As of August 2022, they boast an impressive portfolio of over 160 hotels, making them a major player in the international hospitality industry. Behind this success story is Fattal Hotel Group, the parent company that owns and operates these diverse properties.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Expansion
The journey of Leonardo Hotels began in 2006 with the vision of David Fattal, a hotel entrepreneur hailing from Haifa, Israel. He already had a thriving tourism business, Fattal Holdings Ltd based in Tel Aviv, under his belt. The first Leonardo hotel opened its doors in Nuremberg, Germany. This marked a significant milestone, and their unique brand identity was officially registered with the German Patent and Trademark Office in 2007, followed by international registration in 2008.
Fueled by ambition and a strategic vision, Fattal embarked on an ambitious path to internationalize his hotel portfolio. He started acquiring hotels in key European markets like Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland. This expansion wasn’t fueled by borrowed money but by a combination of Fattal’s own resources and strategic funding from investment funds. The growth continued at a rapid pace. Leonardo Hotels began to expand their presence in Israel around 2009, followed by Hungary (2011), Austria (2012), the United Kingdom (2015), Spain (2015), Italy (2015), the Netherlands (2016), Czech Republic (2016), Ireland (2017), Poland (2017), and finally Romania (2021). This remarkable expansion was further solidified by their announcement in April 2022 of a dedicated fund specifically for future growth in Europe.
A Global Family of Hotels
Leonardo Hotels are part of the broader Fattal Holdings (1998) Ltd group. Their wholly-owned subsidiary, Sunflower Management GmbH & Co. KG, acts as the administrative arm for the European operations. Ownership of these hotels is split between Fattal Holdings and its subsidiaries, with some properties being leased. The scale of their operations is evident in their impressive workforce – in 2021, they employed over 2,700 people solely for the Central European division of Leonardo Hotels.
Leading the Way: Leonardo’s Management and Brand Portfolio
Yoram Biton, a seasoned professional born in Israel in 1967, leads the Leonardo Hotels Central Europe division from their Berlin headquarters as the Managing Director. The Leonardo Hotels brand family has grown to encompass four distinct brands, catering to diverse traveler preferences. These include Leonardo Hotels, Leonardo Boutique Hotels, Leonardo Royal Hotels, and NYX Hotels by Leonardo Hotels.
Acquisitions and Growth: A Strategic Approach
As of August 2022, the Leonardo Hotel group (including its sub-brands) has grown to an impressive number of over 160 hotels, with a significant concentration in Germany. Some of their most notable acquisitions include the Jurys Inn chain in the UK 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 Leonardo Hotels story is one of consistent growth and strategic expansion, driven by a vision to provide high-quality hospitality experiences across diverse locations worldwide. Their commitment to their vision, coupled with a global presence, has made them a prominent force in the hotel industry, and the future certainly holds even more growth and success for this dynamic hotel chain.
