Leonardo Hotels, a thriving hotel chain with roots in Berlin, boasts an impressive network of over 160 hotels (as of August 2022). This impressive expansion is the result of a visionary leader and a strategic approach to growth.
The brains behind this hospitality empire is David Fattal, a seasoned hotelier from Haifa, Israel. He established the Fattal Hotel Group in 2006, building upon his existing experience with 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 brand, a combination of words and visuals, was officially registered with the German Patent and Trademark Office in 2007, followed by international registration in 2008.
Expanding Horizons: A Global Footprint
With the Leonardo Hotels brand, Fattal embarked on an ambitious journey to expand his hotel portfolio internationally. This strategy started with acquisitions in Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland. The rapid growth, fueled by both internal funds and investments from various financial sources, continued with hotel rebranding in Israel around 2009.
Leonardo Hotels expanded its reach even further with new constructions and acquisitions in Hungary (from 2011), Austria (from 2012), the United Kingdom (from 2015), Spain (from 2015), Italy (since 2015), the Netherlands (since 2016), the Czech Republic (since 2016), Ireland (since 2017), Poland (since 2017), and Romania (since 2021). In April 2022, the hotel group announced a new fund specifically designed to fuel further expansion across Europe.
A Well-Oiled Machine: Structure and Management
Leonardo Hotels is part of the Fattal Holdings (1998) Ltd. group. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Sunflower Management GmbH & Co. KG, manages operations in Europe. The hotels themselves are owned by Fattal Holdings or one of its subsidiaries, or they are leased. In 2021, Leonardo Hotels Central Europe alone employed a workforce of 2,700 dedicated individuals.
Yoram Biton, a skilled hotelier born in Israel in 1967, serves as Managing Director of the Leonardo Hotels Central Europe branch, headquartered in Berlin. Under his leadership, the brand has evolved to encompass four distinct hotel brands (as of August 2022): Leonardo Hotels, Leonardo Boutique Hotels, Leonardo Royal Hotels, and NYX Hotels by Leonardo Hotels.
A History of Acquisitions and Expansion
By August 2022, the Leonardo Hotel group, encompassing the main brand and its sub-brands, comprised more than 160 hotels. A significant portion of this impressive network is located in German cities. Some of the most notable acquisitions include the Jurys Inn chain 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 in the Balearic Islands.
From its humble beginnings in Nuremberg, Leonardo Hotels has blossomed into a global hospitality powerhouse, showcasing a commitment to growth, innovation, and delivering memorable experiences for travelers around the world. The company’s focus on strategic acquisitions and a clear vision for expansion positions Leonardo Hotels for continued success in the dynamic global hospitality landscape.
