Leonardo Hotels, a thriving hotel chain with over 160 properties worldwide, has become a major player in the hospitality industry. This impressive network of hotels, headquartered in Berlin, Germany, is part of the Fattal Hotel Group, a testament to the vision and ambition of its founder, David Fattal.
From Humble Beginnings to International Success
David Fattal, an experienced hotelier from Haifa, Israel, established the Fattal Hotel Group in 2006. He already had a successful tourism business, Fattal Holdings Ltd., based in Tel Aviv. The group’s first hotel, Leonardo Hotel Nuremberg, opened its doors in 2006, marking the beginning of a rapid expansion across Europe.
The Leonardo Hotels brand was registered in 2007 in Germany and internationally in 2008. Under the Leonardo banner, Fattal began acquiring and establishing hotels, initially in Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland. This strategic move aimed to internationalize the hotel portfolio and expand its reach beyond Israel.
The growth of Leonardo Hotels didn’t stop there. The group, fueled by both its own funds and investment capital, continued its ambitious expansion across Europe. They acquired existing hotels and built new ones in Hungary (2011), Austria (2012), the United Kingdom (2015), Spain (2015), Italy (2015), the Netherlands (2016), Czech Republic (2016), Ireland (2017), Poland (2017), and Romania (2021).
The group’s dedication to expansion was further solidified in April 2022 when they announced a new fund specifically designed to propel their growth across Europe.
A Well-Structured Organization
Leonardo Hotels is a subsidiary of Fattal Holdings (1998) Ltd., and its European operations are managed by its wholly owned subsidiary, Sunflower Management GmbH & Co. KG. Fattal Holdings either owns the Leonardo hotels directly, through its subsidiaries, or manages them through lease agreements.
The company boasts a strong workforce, employing 2,700 people in Central Europe alone in 2021. Yoram Biton, a seasoned professional born in Israel in 1967, leads the Leonardo Hotels Central Europe division as Managing Director, based in Berlin.
Diversifying the Brand and Expanding the Portfolio
The Leonardo Hotels brand has grown into a family of hotels, offering a variety of experiences to suit different traveler needs. Today, the family encompasses four distinct hotel brands: Leonardo Hotels, Leonardo Boutique Hotels, Leonardo Royal Hotels, and NYX Hotels by Leonardo Hotels.
By August 2022, the Leonardo Hotel Group (including its main brand and sub-brands) comprised over 160 hotels, with the majority located in German cities.
Some of the most significant acquisitions that contributed to this impressive growth include:
- Jurys Inn: In April 2022, Leonardo Hotels acquired 51 hotels under the Jurys Inn brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
- Apollo Hotels: In August 2018, Leonardo Hotels acquired 13 hotels from the Apollo Hotels chain in the Netherlands and Belgium.
- Balearic Islands Portfolio: In 2022, the group purchased a portfolio of six hotels in the Balearic Islands, adding another layer to their Mediterranean presence.
A Legacy of Success and Continued Growth
Leonardo Hotels has built a strong reputation for its commitment to quality, service, and innovation. They are driven by a vision to provide exceptional guest experiences while expanding their reach across the global hospitality landscape.
With its ambitious expansion plans and a focus on providing a variety of hotel brands to suit every traveler’s needs, Leonardo Hotels is poised to continue its impressive growth trajectory, solidifying its position as a leading force in the international hospitality industry.
