Leonardo Hotels, a prominent hotel chain headquartered in Berlin, boasts an impressive network of over 160 properties across Europe. The brand’s success story is closely intertwined with the vision of its founder, David Fattal, a seasoned hotelier hailing from Haifa, Israel. This article delves into the journey of Leonardo Hotels, exploring its origins, expansion strategy, and key milestones.
This section outlines the founding of the hotel chain and its early growth.
In 2006, Fattal, already a leading figure in the tourism industry with his Tel Aviv-based Fattal Holdings Ltd., decided to venture into the world of hotels. His first venture, a hotel in Nuremberg, Germany, marked the beginning of Leonardo Hotels. The brand’s distinctive logo and name were officially registered in Germany in 2007, followed by international registration the subsequent year.
This section focuses on the international expansion of Leonardo Hotels.
With Leonardo Hotels, Fattal embarked on an ambitious international expansion plan, acquiring hotels initially in Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland. This growth was fueled by a combination of the company’s own resources and external investments. The expansion continued apace, with acquisitions and new hotel constructions in countries like Israel, Hungary, Austria, Great Britain, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Ireland, Poland, and Romania. In April 2022, Leonardo Hotels announced a dedicated fund to further accelerate its expansion throughout Europe.
This section highlights the ownership structure and key personnel behind Leonardo Hotels.
Leonardo Hotels is part of the Fattal Holdings (1998) Ltd. group. The European operations are managed by their wholly-owned subsidiary, Sunflower Management GmbH & Co. KG. Leonardo Hotels are either owned directly by Fattal Holdings or one of its subsidiaries, or they are operated under lease agreements. The company’s substantial growth is reflected in its workforce, with over 2,700 employees working for Leonardo Hotels Central Europe alone in 2021.
This section introduces the management team and brand portfolio of Leonardo Hotels.
At the helm of Leonardo Hotels Central Europe, based in Berlin, is Yoram Biton, Managing Director. Under his leadership, the company has built a strong brand portfolio, encompassing four distinct hotel brands: Leonardo Hotels, Leonardo Boutique Hotels, Leonardo Royal Hotels, and NYX Hotels by Leonardo Hotels.
This section discusses the mergers and acquisitions that contributed to Leonardo Hotels’ growth.
As of August 2022, the Leonardo Hotel group, including its primary brand and sub-brands, boasts a portfolio of over 160 hotels, with the largest concentration in German cities. Some of the most significant acquisitions in the company’s history include the Jurys Inn hotels in the United Kingdom and Ireland (51 hotels), the Apollo Hotels in the Netherlands and Belgium (13 hotels), and a portfolio of six hotels on the Balearic Islands.
Conclusion
Leonardo Hotels stands as a testament to the power of vision, ambition, and strategic expansion. From its humble beginnings in Nuremberg to its current status as a major player in the European hospitality landscape, Leonardo Hotels has consistently carved a path of growth and innovation. The company’s commitment to quality, service, and expansion ensures that its journey will continue to be one of success and growth.
