Minor Hotels, an international hotel owner, operator and investor with more than 530 hotels in 56 countries in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe, South America and North America, has announced the expansion in Europe of its lifestyle brand targeted at millennial-minded travellers: Avani Hotels & Resorts. Designed for guests that prioritise service, style and value, Avani is characterised by functional design and unique service offerings. Part of a strategic expansion of the brand into new regions of operation, Avani will add five properties in key cities in Europe – one in Spain, two in Italy, one in Germany and next year, one in the Netherlands. Coinciding with the European expansion, Avani will also launch in Central and South America with hotels to be added in Mexico and Colombia.
Also in Europe, Avani will enter the Netherlands in 2024 with the launch of a 163-key hotel in Amsterdam: the rebranded Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam Hotel, located in one of the Dutch capital’s most vibrant districts, will join the brand’s portfolio in Q2 next year.
The company is also preparing to introduce the brand in Latin America, where two additions to the Avani portfolio are planned for later this year with two rebranded properties. Regional operations will begin in one of Central America’s leading tourist destinations with the launch of the 140-key Avani Cancun Airport Hotel in Mexico in Q3, followed in Q4 by the 66-key Avani Royal Zona T Bogota Hotel in Colombia.
According to Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels, the expansion of the Avani brand’s footprint into Europe and Latin America reflects the group's strategy of continuing to expand and diversify its hotel offerings in the upscale tourist segment: “Avani is now a well-established brand in Asia, Africa and the Middle East and known for its great value proposition, its design philosophy and unique service offering. The work of recent years has prepared us to commit strategically to the expansion of Avani’s footprint into new regions of operation and marks a significant milestone for Minor Hotels.”
Avani Hotels & Resorts’ unique proposition Avani was created to meet the tastes and needs of millennial-minded travellers – a growing sector of discerning guests who value comfort and affordability while travelling in style. Conceived with the latest travel trends in mind, including bleisure travellers and digital nomads, the Avani experience is markedly modern and functional, with meticulously designed smart, flexible and social spaces and a genuine passion for service. Care is placed on the small details to ensure guests feel comfortable wherever they go, in urban hotels and beach resorts alike.
Each Avani property has its own unique personality, but they all offer something special tailored to their audiences, so guests can enjoy the distinct Avani experience anywhere from Bangkok and Dubai to Melbourne and soon Madrid. AvaniFit goes beyond the traditional hotel gym offering health and wellness experiences for the body and mind. The Pantry, originally created as a ‘grab and go’ concept, offers guests flexible dining solutions while staying at their Avani of choice. Other noteworthy concepts include Avani PopUp – a unique al fresco casual dining experience for couples and groups, and Avani Kids, the brand’s way of enhancing the stay of younger guests.
Launched in 2011, Avani Hotels & Resorts currently has 38 properties in 20 countries across Asia, Australasia, the Middle East, Indian Ocean, Africa, and one hotel in Europe in Portugal.
The global brand strengthens its position in the luxury segment with 15 openings in 2025. Key growth areas include Vietnam, Argentina, Italy, Spain, and Middle East
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announces the signing of Vignette Collection, Union Han, Istanbul Karaköy, – marking the brand’s debut in Türkiye. The converted property, owned by Cortex Turizm, will become the 16th IHG hotel in the city once it opens in the second half of 2025.
Vignette Collection, Union Han, Istanbul Karaköy represents a continuation of IHG’s growth momentum across Türkiye, taking the total of opened and signed properties in Türkiye to 45 hotels. The latest signing also joins a growing portfolio of Vignette Collection properties around the world, which is set to reach 100 hotels in 10 years, bolstering IHG’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio, one of the world’s largest, with nearly 900 open and signed hotels globally.
Vignette Collection is IHG’s luxury conversion brand and allows owners to retain the independent identity and character of their hotels, whilst providing guests with a one-of-a-kind stay in destinations to remember. Staying true to the brand’s ethos, Vignette Collection, Union Han, Istanbul Karaköy will be underpinned by its own “A Means for Good” initiative, highlighting the hotel’s partnerships with local non-profit organisations to spearhead positive contributions to the communities in which it operates.
Situated in the historic Tütün Han building, the hotel will feature 51 unique, stylish guest rooms and an all-day artisan bakery and specialty food restaurant, as well as premium wellness facilities including a spa.
(Mrs) Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “It is great to see the momentum Vignette Collection, IHG’s very first collection brand, is having across Europe since its launch in 2021. Today, across the region, we have more than 14 open and signed Vignette Collection properties all in some of the most sought-after destinations. This is a testament to the trust new and existing owners have in IHG, our brands and global enterprise – including our leading loyalty offer and powerful technology and revenue systems - to deliver for them.I’m incredibly proud of the growth we have seen across Türkiye in recent years, which is due to the dedication and drive from our in-market team, who have established strong relationships with our partners. We look forward to working alongside Cortex Turizm to bring the hotel to life and welcome guests to Türkiye’s first Vignette Collection property in 2025.”
Cortex Team said: “It is incredibly exciting that our first property with IHG Hotels & Resorts also marks the debut of the Vignette Collection brand in Türkiye. We are confident IHG’s trusted reputation and leading loyalty offer will make the hotel the leading choice for domestic and international travellers alike who are looking for a unique and immersive experience.”
IHG Hotels & Resorts has 32 hotels currently in operation across the Türkiye and an additional 13 in development spanning right across its brand portfolio. Vignette Collection, Union Han, Istanbul Karaköy joins other notable signings from this year, including the first Garner hotel in the country which will be located close to the new International Istanbul Airport, and InterContinental Ankara which is set to open in 2025.