The Group looks forward to a bounty of new properties and new beginnings around the world.
Accor is kicking off the year with an encouraging development outlook and a full schedule of new hotel openings around the world. While 2020 was a year of unprecedented challenges – not the least of which were felt among the travel and hospitality sectors – Accor maintained a steady pace of development and continued to sign new projects, leading to a robust roster of new hotel openings throughout 2021.
“As we are all too familiar, 2020 had a profound impact on our day-to-day lives and the hospitality industry as a whole; even so, the early stages of a global rebound will be material and significant. Despite the delays and temporary closures we experienced due to the pandemic, we continued to experience sustained momentum across our development pipeline and are optimistic that the worldwide rollout of Covid-19 vaccines will lead to renewed trust in travel and a much greater sense of personal safety for the entire global population”, said Agnes Roquefort, Global Chief Development Officer.
Accor’s sound financial capacity, worldwide reach, and unrivalled portfolio of brands not only kept the company in a solid position to weather the challenges of 2020, but its development capabilities and organizational model allowed the Group to focus on providing support and service to its owners, developers and partners.
Banyan Tree Doha, Qatar
SO/ Sotogrande Resort & Spa, Spain
Mondrian Shoreditch London, United Kingdom
JO&JOE Vienna Westbahnhof, Austria
The Lifestyle category is set to be one of Accor’s most vibrant segments over the coming years, with the number of Lifestyle hotel openings expected to triple by 2023. Moreover, Accor’s Lifestyle segment currently accounts for roughly five percent of the Group’s annual revenue, while representing 25% of the company’s development pipeline by value. The recently announced joint venture with Ennismore, expected to close in Q2 2021, will contribute to a richly diverse platform set to become even more exciting this year with uniquely stylish new properties opening their doors, including Mondrian Shoreditch London; JO&JOE Vienna Westbahnhof; SO/ Sotogrande Resort & Spa; SLS Dubai and 25hours Dubai.
Fairmont Ramla Riyadh, Saoudi Arabia
Sofitel Hangzhou Yingguan, China
Fairmont Windsor Park, United Kingdom
Fairmont Century Plaza, United States
Accor’s luxury segment will also make headlines in 2021 with the Banyan Tree Doha in Qatar and Raffles openings in Udaipur and Jeddah. Fairmont will see the much-anticipated opening of the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, along with Fairmont Windsor Park in England; Carton House, a Fairmont managed hotel in Dublin; Fairmont Ramla Riyadh; Fairmont Ambassador Seoul; and Fairmont Tagazhout Bay in Morocco. Sofitel will bring French sophistication to several new destinations including Seoul, Hangzhou, and Adelaide.
Conversion opportunities also presented themselves in 2020 and will continue to be a growth driver in 2021 and beyond, as Accor has emerged as the partner of choice among independent hotel owners attracted to the company’s renowned flexibility and ease of transition, its unmatched spectrum of brands, and its welcoming culture that celebrates authenticity, diversity and entrepreneurialism.
Across the Group’s unrivalled brand portfolio, leading brands for conversion opportunities include The House of Originals (Luxury), MGallery (Upper Premium), Mövenpick (Premium), Grand Mercure (Premium), Mercure (Midscale), ibis Styles (Economy) and greet (Budget). Not surprisingly, these seven brands account for 43% of Accor’s opening pipeline over the next five years. For example, MGallery will welcome several new hotels in key gateway locations this year, including Orchard Hills Residences Singapore – MGallery, The Silveri Hong Kong – MGallery, and The Porter House Hotel – MGallery in Sydney, Australia.
All of the Group’s new properties are expected to open in full compliance with Accor’s ALLSAFE hygiene and cleanliness label. The ALLSAFE label was established by Accor in mid 2020 to give guests the assurance of a third-party verified standard of hotel cleanliness and hygienic requirements. These standards were developed with and vetted by Bureau Veritas, a leader in operational testing, inspections and certifications.
While all of the Group’s Dubai hotels are now open and have been granted the ALLSAFE certification, our development projects are growing to adapt and cater to the tourist potential within the region, which is becoming increasingly popular with travelers worldwide.
Referred to as the “El dorado of tourism”, “a luxurious desert oasis”, and “a trendy destination”, Dubai is a futuristic city ideal for tourists and business travelers alike with spectacular attractions, skyscrapers that disappear into the clouds, and artificial islands shaped like palm trees. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the United Arab Emirates has continued to attract tourists by taking early steps to limit the spread of the virus. As such, hotels and restaurants in Dubai are now open.
Dubai’s Expo 2020, planned physically in Dubai at the end of the year, foretells a strong sign of rebound for the industry and will be an exceptional event where Accor, one of the main sponsors for the French Pavillion, will celebrate culture, innovation, and a meaningful hospitality commitment.
Given the favorable climate, Accor—currently the largest hotel operator in Dubai with 50 hotels and over 120 restaurants & bars across the city—will further strengthen its portfolio with 8 openings planned for 2021. This includes the SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences and the Adagio Dubai Deira aparthotel, which already opened at the start of the year. The Adagio Premium Dubai Palm Jumeirah aparthotel, the Rixos Dubai Hotel & Suites Jewel of the Creek, and the 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central are among other properties with openings planned in the coming months. The Lifestyle SLS and 25hours brands will help reinforce Dubai’s reputation as a leading Lifestyle destination by offering elevated guest experiences.
On April 5th, the SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences opened in the heart of downtown Dubai. Part of one of the city’s tallest buildings—a tower spanning 75-stories—the property boasts a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding area and an unobstructed view of the iconic Burj Khalifa. The Lifestyle hotel-residence has 254 Rhotel rooms developed by famous designer Paul Bishop, 371 Rresidential units, and 321 Rhotel apartments. Guests can unwind in the lounge area at S RBar, where they can sample a fun menu with “angelic” (healthy) and “sinful” (decadent) options. On the 75th floor is Privilege, a lounge and nightlife venue in an exceptional setting where guests can share some special moments under the watchful gaze of the iconic SLS brand duck statue.
The Adagio Dubai Deira aparthotel has been welcoming guests to its 189 contemporary apartments since January. Its key asset? A rooftop swimming pool with a spectacular view of the city and Persian Gulf. The Adagio Premium The Palm aparthotel will also join the brand’s Dubai portfolio at the beginning of May. A luxurious addition (4 stars) with its own private beach in Palm West Beach and a 1.6 km (9.94 mile) promenade. Its 94 chic studios and 69 modern apartments are fully equipped and have balconies with views of the sea. The industrial-inspired Fixie Coffee Shop will delight customers, tourists, and locals all day long with its healthy and balanced dishes. The aparthotel also boasts a sauna and 24-hour gym.
As the name suggests, the Rixos Dubai Hotel & Suites Jewel of the Creek will be located in the Jewel of the Creek, in the Port Saeed area of Deira and close to Dubai International Airport. This location is at the heart of a transformation project launched by the city to turn the area into a vibrant urban center and an essential connection point. This strategic location, combined with the new Rixos hotel’s luxurious amenities, is sure to make it a selected destination for travelers from all over the world. The project will offer 770 hotel rooms & suites, as well as restaurants, a conference room, shops, an indoor and outdoor gym, wellness center, infinity pool, and beach promenade. The Rixos Dubai Hotel & Suites Jewel of the Creek will welcome guests by the end of 2021.
The 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central will open its doors close to the Dubai World Trade Center in September. The hotel will draw inspiration from the art of famous hakawati Arab storytellers. Sandy tones will dominate the interiors of its 434 rooms which encompass different styles that reflect the hotel’s narrative, such as Bedouin, Glamping, Farmstay, and Artist Village. A perfectly balanced blend of tradition and modernity! The 4 bars and restaurants will transport you across Europe. For example, traditional Bavarian cuisine is served in a tavern with an open-air terrace, while the sixth floor is shared by a Greek restaurant and urban rooftop bar with an outdoor terrace and swimming pool. The Lifestyle hotel will also have a dedicated co-working space, a cafe, and a vinyl player and Walkman area.
