Leonardo Hotels is a well-known hotel chain based in Berlin with over 160 properties, as of August 2022. It’s a part of the Fattal Hotel Group, a name that’s synonymous with hospitality across the globe.
This article delves into the history of Leonardo Hotels, tracing its journey from its humble beginnings to its current position as a major player in the international hotel industry.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Expansion
The Fattal Hotel Group was founded in 2006 by David Fattal, a seasoned hotelier from Haifa. At the time, he was already heading up the Fattal Holdings Ltd, a tourism company based in Tel Aviv. The first Leonardo Hotel was inaugurated in Nürnberg, Germany, marking the start of a remarkable growth story. The distinctive Leonardo Hotels logo was registered with the German Patent and Trademark Office in 2007, solidifying its presence in the market. The brand’s global reach was further amplified by its international registration in 2008.
David Fattal’s vision was to expand his hotel portfolio internationally, and Leonardo Hotels became the vehicle to achieve this ambition. Starting with acquisitions in Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland, the company steadily increased its footprint across Europe. The growth was fueled by strategic investments made using a combination of the company’s own funds and external financing.
Leonardo Hotels continued its aggressive expansion, extending its reach to Israel, around 2009, followed by Hungary (2011), Austria (2012), Great Britain (2015), Spain (2015), Italy (2015), the Netherlands (2016), the Czech Republic (2016), Ireland (2017), Poland (2017), and Romania (2021). This relentless expansion strategy showcases the company’s commitment to becoming a true international powerhouse in the hospitality sector.
The Fattal Hotel Group’s commitment to expansion is not merely a matter of adding hotels to its portfolio. In April 2022, the group launched a dedicated investment fund explicitly designed to accelerate its growth across Europe. This proactive approach underscores the company’s ambition to continue dominating the international hospitality scene.
A Global Network of Hotels
The Leonardo Hotel chain is a key component of Fattal Holdings (1998) Ltd. The group’s European operations are managed by its 100% subsidiary, Sunflower Management GmbH & Co. KG. Leonardo Hotels are either owned by Fattal Holdings or its subsidiaries or are operated under lease agreements. The company employs over 2,700 people across Central Europe, demonstrating its significant economic contribution to the region.
Yoram Biton, born in Israel in 1967, leads Leonardo Hotels Central Europe as Managing Director, steering the business unit from its base in Berlin. The Leonardo Hotels brand family has grown to encompass four distinct hotel brands: Leonardo Hotels, Leonardo Boutique Hotels, Leonardo Royal Hotels, and NYX Hotels by Leonardo Hotels, offering a wide range of accommodation options to cater to diverse guest preferences.
A Portfolio of Major Acquisitions
As of August 2022, the Leonardo Hotel group, including its various sub-brands, boasts a portfolio of over 160 hotels. The majority of these properties are located in German cities. The group’s impressive expansion has been bolstered by strategic acquisitions, including Jurys Inn hotels in the United Kingdom and Ireland (51 hotels), Apollo Hotels in the Netherlands and Belgium (13 hotels), and a collection of six hotels in the Balearic Islands.
Leonardo Hotels stands as a testament to the power of vision, strategic planning, and a relentless drive to expand. With its commitment to excellence and a diversified portfolio of brands, the company has become a global leader in hospitality, offering comfortable and convenient accommodation to travelers worldwide.
