Leonardo Hotels, a thriving hotel chain with over 160 properties worldwide, is a testament to the vision of its founder, David Fattal. The company’s roots lie in Berlin, Germany, where its headquarters are located. This successful enterprise is a subsidiary of the prominent Fattal Hotel Group.
From Humble Beginnings to International Success
David Fattal, a seasoned hotelier hailing from Haifa, Israel, established the Fattal Hotel Group in 2006. This marked a pivotal moment in his career, as he was already a successful entrepreneur, managing the tourism company Fattal Holdings Ltd. based in Tel Aviv. The first Leonardo Hotel opened its doors in Nuremberg, Germany, in 2006. The distinctive Leonardo Hotels logo was officially registered in 2007 with the German Patent and Trademark Office, followed by international registration in 2008.
Expanding Horizons: A Global Footprint
The name “Leonardo Hotels” symbolized Fattal’s ambition to expand his hotel portfolio beyond national borders. The company’s first ventures took them to Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland. The expansion, fueled by the company’s own resources and investment funds, continued with a strategic acquisition of hotels in Israel around 2009. Further growth followed with new constructions and acquisitions in 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, aiming to accelerate its European expansion.
A Family Affair: The Structure of Success
Leonardo Hotels are part of the Fattal Holdings (1998) Ltd. Sunflower Management GmbH & Co. KG, a wholly owned subsidiary, serves as the European management company. Ownership of Leonardo Hotels rests either with Fattal Holdings, one of its subsidiaries, or through lease agreements. In 2021, Leonardo Hotels Central Europe alone boasted a workforce of 2,700 employees.
A Leadership Team Dedicated to Growth
Yoram Biton, born in Israel in 1967, leads the Leonardo Hotels Central Europe business unit, headquartered in Berlin, as Managing Director. The Leonardo family of brands includes four distinct hotel brands: Leonardo Hotels, Leonardo Boutique Hotels, Leonardo Royal Hotels, and NYX Hotels by Leonardo Hotels.
Acquisitions and Growth: Building a Hospitality Empire
As of August 2022, the Leonardo Hotel Group, including its subsidiary brands, comprises over 160 hotels, with the majority located in German cities. Significant acquisitions have contributed to the company’s rapid growth. These include the Jurys Inn brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland (51 hotels), Apollo Hotels in the Netherlands and Belgium (13 hotels), and a portfolio of six hotels in the Balearic Islands.
A Journey of Growth and Success
From its humble beginnings in Germany, Leonardo Hotels has blossomed into a global hospitality leader. The company’s commitment to expansion, coupled with its dedication to exceptional service, has secured its place as a dominant force in the hospitality industry. The future looks bright for Leonardo Hotels, with continued expansion and innovation driving its success.
