Welcome to the world of Leonardo Hotels, a thriving hotel chain with a fascinating story! This international brand, with over 160 hotels (as of August 2022), has grown from humble beginnings to become a major player in the hospitality industry.
The roots of Leonardo Hotels trace back to the visionary entrepreneur, David Fattal. Founded in 2006, the hotel group was the brainchild of this Haifa-born businessman, who was already a successful leader in the tourism industry with his company, Fattal Holdings Ltd., based in Tel Aviv. The journey began with the opening of the first Leonardo Hotel in Nuremberg, Germany, in 2006, marking the start of a global expansion. The company’s distinctive logo was officially registered with the German Patent and Trademark Office in 2007, followed by international registration in 2008.
With Leonardo Hotels, David Fattal embarked on a global expansion strategy. He started acquiring hotels in key European markets, including Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland. The company’s growth was fuelled by internal funds and investments from various sources. Leonardo Hotels soon expanded its reach to Israel in 2009, followed by Hungary (2011), Austria (2012), the United Kingdom (2015), Spain (2015), Italy (2015), the Netherlands (2016), the Czech Republic (2016), Ireland (2017), Poland (2017), and Romania (2021).
In April 2022, the hotel group announced a dedicated fund to fuel further expansion across Europe. This demonstrates the company’s unwavering commitment to building its presence on the global hospitality stage.
Leonardo Hotels operates under the umbrella of the Fattal Holdings (1998) Ltd. group. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sunflower Management GmbH & Co. KG, acts as the European headquarters. The hotels themselves are either owned directly by Fattal Holdings or one of its subsidiaries, or they are leased. In 2021, Leonardo Hotels Central Europe employed a workforce of 2,700 people.
Yoram Biton, the Managing Director of Leonardo Hotels Central Europe, leads the team from Berlin. This business unit is part of a broader brand family that includes four distinct hotel brands (as of August 2022): Leonardo Hotels, Leonardo Boutique Hotels, Leonardo Royal Hotels, and NYX Hotels by Leonardo Hotels.
With over 160 hotels, the Leonardo Hotel group has achieved significant growth, particularly in German cities. The company has made several major acquisitions, including the Jurys Inn chain 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.
From its humble beginnings in Germany, Leonardo Hotels has grown into a global force in the hospitality industry. The company’s strategic acquisitions, expansion strategy, and commitment to quality have solidified its position as a respected leader in the hotel sector. With a passionate team and a clear vision for the future, Leonardo Hotels is well-positioned to continue its success story for years to come.
