Leonardo Hotels is a hotel chain with its headquarters in Berlin, Germany. With over 160 locations as of August 2022, this impressive network is part of the Fattal Hotel Group, showcasing a remarkable growth story.
This dynamic company was founded in 2006 by the visionary David Fattal, a hotelier with roots in Haifa, Israel. He had already established the successful Fattal Holdings Ltd in Tel Aviv, and was eager to expand his influence in the hospitality industry.
The first Leonardo Hotel opened its doors in Nuremberg in 2006, marking the beginning of a significant journey. The brand’s unique logo was registered with the German Patent and Trademark Office in 2007, and its international registration followed in 2008.
The Leonardo Hotels brand propelled Fattal’s ambition to expand his hotel portfolio internationally. This led him to acquire properties, initially in Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland. The expansion, financed through a blend of personal funds and investments from various funds, continued with hotel rebranding in Israel around 2009.
The momentum never slowed down, with new purchases and constructions of hotels in Hungary (from 2011), Austria (from 2012), Great Britain (from 2015), Spain (from 2015), Italy (since 2015), The Netherlands (since 2016), Czech Republic (since 2016), Ireland (since 2017), Poland (since 2017) and Romania (since 2021).
In April 2022, the hotel group announced a dedicated fund aimed at further expansion across Europe, confirming their unwavering commitment to growth.
A Family of Brands and Global Reach
Leonardo Hotels are part of the larger Fattal Holdings (1998) Ltd company. Their wholly owned subsidiary, Sunflower Management GmbH & Co. KG, acts as the managing company in Europe.
The hotels themselves are owned by Fattal Holdings or one of its subsidiaries, or leased. In 2021, Leonardo Hotels Central Europe alone employed 2,700 individuals, demonstrating the significant contribution they make to the global economy.
Yoram Biton, born in Israel in 1967, leads the Leonardo Hotels Central Europe division based in Berlin as Managing Director. The Leonardo Hotels brand is part of a diverse family of hotel brands, including Leonardo Boutique Hotels, Leonardo Royal Hotels, and NYX Hotels by Leonardo Hotels.
By August 2022, the Leonardo Hotel group (including its sub-brands) encompassed over 160 hotels, with the majority located in German cities. Among the largest acquisitions, the Jurys Inn brand in the UK and Ireland (51 hotels as of April 2022), Apollo Hotels in the Netherlands and Belgium (13 hotels as of August 2018) and a portfolio of six hotels in the Balearic Islands stand out as major milestones in their expansion journey.
A Legacy of Vision and Expansion
The Leonardo Hotels story is a testament to the power of vision, strategic planning, and an unwavering commitment to growth. From its modest beginnings in Nuremberg to its global reach, the brand has become a leading force in the hospitality industry.
The Fattal Hotel Group continues to explore new opportunities and markets, demonstrating its ability to adapt to ever-changing conditions and build a strong and lasting legacy. The Leonardo Hotels brand is more than just a hotel chain; it’s a testament to the drive and ambition that can transform a single vision into a global success story.
