Activity Abroad: Seven Hotels Open in Europe

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Hotel brands are planting roots overseas. Property openings in the United Kingdom, France, Portugal, Cyprus, Greece, Finland and Austria mark some of the recent countries seeing some action:

Hard Rock Brings First Branded Hotel to the United Kingdom
Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos celebrate a historic moment with the opening of Hard Rock Hotel London. The property is Hard Rock’s first hotel in the United Kingdom and continues the brand’s legacy in its original birthplace. As part of a partnership with London’s largest hotel owner-operator, glh, the hotel has 900 rooms and suites, along with a Rock Royalty Lounge, GMT Bar, a Hard Rock Cafe, a cocktail bar and a Rock Shop.

Following Restoration, Historic Hotel Opens in France
The InterContinental Lyon—Hotel Dieu in France is open after a four-year restoration of the city’s former hospital. InterContinental Lyon–Hotel Dieu forms part of the Grand Hôtel Dieu and was reimagined by interior designer Jean-Philippe Nuel. The hotel has 144 rooms, food and beverage options and meeting and event space.

Refurbished Hotel Opens in Portugal
The newly opened Vila Galé Collection Elvas—Historic Hotel, Conference & Spa, in Elvas, Portugal, is the rehabilitation of the former São Paulo Convent, and is the first hotel to open in Portugal under the Revive program. After a $10-million investment (€9 million), the hotel has 79 rooms, two restaurants, a bar, an outdoor pool, a spa, indoor pool as well as two meeting rooms.

IHG Signs Hotel in Cyprus
IHG has signed Hotel Indigo Cyprus-Larnaca. Set to open at the end of 2019, the hotel is signed under a franchise agreement with Quality Group and Sunnyseeker Hotels and under the ownership of Quality Group. The Hotel Indigo Cyprus Larnaca will be located in a historic area of Larnaca close to the city center and airport. The property is also close to the beach and shopping district.

Santikos Collection Expands with Opening in Pireas, Greece
Santikos Collection has opened The Alex in the port city of Piraeus on the Athens Riviera close to the city center. The Alex is the Santikos Collection’s first city hotel and fifth property within the portfolio. The property has 34 rooms and two dining options, including a rooftop restaurant.

Property Sets Roots in Finland’s Capital
Scandic’s fifth signature hotel, Marski by Scandic, is now open in Helsinki. The refurbished hotel has 363 rooms as well as meeting and event spaces, a restaurant, bar and café and a wellness center.

Vienna Hotel Debuts in Creative District
Max Brown 7th District has opened in Vienna’s Neubau neighborhood. The hotel has more than 140 rooms, a movie theater, restaurant and meeting and event space. The property is near art galleries, dining options and museums.