Leonardo Hotels, a well-known hotel chain, boasts over 160 properties across Europe (as of August 2022). This impressive network of hotels is a testament to the vision of its founder, David Fattal, a seasoned hotelier from Haifa, Israel. Let’s take a closer look at how this hotel giant rose to prominence.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Reach
Fattal’s journey began in 2006 when he established the Fattal Hotel Group, adding to his already thriving Fattal Holdings Ltd. based in Tel Aviv. This venture marked the beginning of the Leonardo Hotels story. The first Leonardo hotel opened its doors in Nürnberg, Germany in 2006. The following year, the distinctive brand name and logo were officially registered with the German Patent and Trademark Office and later internationally in 2008.
The launch of the Leonardo brand was a strategic move for Fattal, signaling his ambition to expand his hotel portfolio beyond Israel. His strategy involved acquiring hotels in Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland first. These initial acquisitions served as stepping stones for further expansion. The ambitious growth of the company was fueled by a combination of internal funds and investments from external sources.
An Unstoppable Expansion
The global expansion of Leonardo Hotels continued with remarkable speed. The company ventured into Israel in 2009, acquiring existing hotels and rebranding them under the Leonardo umbrella. The international adventure continued with new hotels in Hungary in 2011, followed by Austria in 2012. Great Britain and Spain joined the network in 2015, quickly followed by Italy and Netherlands in 2016. The company’s growth remained unstoppable, expanding into Czech Republic and Ireland in 2016 and reaching Poland in 2017. The most recent addition to the expanding list is Romania, where Leonardo Hotels made its mark in 2021.
The future looks bright for Leonardo Hotels, as they aim to further their presence in Europe with a newly announced fund specifically dedicated to future expansion.
A Well-Structured Organization: The Leonardo Group
Leonardo Hotels is part of the Fattal Holdings conglomerate, established in 1998. The Sunflower Management GmbH & Co. KG, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fattal Holdings, manages the European operations of Leonardo Hotels. Ownership of the Leonardo Hotels lies in the hands of Fattal Holdings or its subsidiaries, with some properties operated on a lease basis.
The impressive scale of the Leonardo Hotel Group is reflected in its workforce. As of 2021, Leonardo Hotels Central Europe alone employed 2,700 individuals.
Leadership and Brand Recognition: A Success Story in the Making
Yoram Biton, a seasoned hotelier, leads the Leonardo Hotels Central Europe division from its base in Berlin. Biton, who was born in Israel in 1967, brings a wealth of experience to his role as Managing Director. The Leonardo brand family has grown to include four distinct hotel brands: Leonardo Hotels, Leonardo Boutique Hotels, Leonardo Royal Hotels, and NYX Hotels by Leonardo Hotels.
A Powerful Presence in the Hotel Industry
The Leonardo Hotel Group, with its 160+ hotels, has a significant presence in the global hospitality industry. The group’s most notable acquisitions to date include 51 hotels under the Jurys Inn brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland, 13 hotels under the Apollo brand in the Netherlands and Belgium, and six hotels on the Balearic Islands.
With a strong financial foundation and a clear vision for continued expansion, Leonardo Hotels continues to solidify its position as a major player in the global hotel industry, offering travelers a diverse range of hotel experiences across Europe.
