Leonardo Hotels is a rapidly expanding hotel chain with a presence across Europe. They have over 160 locations (as of August 2022) and are part of the Fattal Hotel Group. This ambitious venture is the brainchild of Israeli entrepreneur David Fattal, who established the group in 2006. The company’s origins lie in Fattal Holdings Ltd., a tourism enterprise based in Tel Aviv, which David Fattal already headed before launching Leonardo Hotels. The very first Leonardo Hotel opened its doors in Nuremberg, Germany in 2006. This marked the beginning of a truly international journey for the brand.
From Local Roots to Global Reach
The Leonardo Hotels name symbolized Fattal’s commitment to expanding his hotel portfolio beyond the borders of Israel. He acquired hotels in Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland, laying the groundwork for future expansion. Fuelled by both internal resources and investment funds, the company’s growth continued with the rebranding of hotels in Israel around 2009. From there, Leonardo Hotels expanded its reach into new territories, opening new hotels or acquiring existing ones in Hungary (starting in 2011), Austria (starting in 2012), the UK (starting in 2015), Spain (starting in 2015), Italy (since 2015), the Netherlands (since 2016), the Czech Republic (since 2016), Ireland (since 2017), Poland (since 2017), and Romania (since 2021). The company’s relentless pursuit of growth is further emphasized by their announcement in April 2022 of a dedicated fund designed to support further expansion across Europe.
A Family of Brands under One Roof
Leonardo Hotels is a subsidiary of Fattal Holdings (1998) Ltd., with its European operations managed by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sunflower Management GmbH & Co. KG. Ownership of the hotels within the group is held by either Fattal Holdings or one of its subsidiaries, with some properties leased. The company’s commitment to its employees is evident in their workforce: as of 2021, Leonardo Hotels Central Europe alone had a staff of 2,700 individuals.
Yoram Biton, a seasoned professional born in Israel in 1967, guides the Leonardo Hotels Central Europe division as Managing Director, with headquarters in Berlin. The Leonardo brand encompasses four distinct hotel brands: Leonardo Hotels, Leonardo Boutique Hotels, Leonardo Royal Hotels, and NYX Hotels by Leonardo Hotels.
Notable Acquisitions and Continued Growth
As of August 2022, the Leonardo Hotels family (including its sub-brands) boasts over 160 hotels, with a significant concentration in Germany. Some of the most notable acquisitions in the company’s history include the Jurys Inn brand 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 on the Balearic Islands.
This impressive growth trajectory demonstrates Leonardo Hotels unwavering commitment to expanding its presence across Europe, securing its position as a leading force in the global hotel industry.
