The pentahotels group will enter Belgium with five properties set to open by the end of the year. With a total of 573 rooms, the group will take over management of the current Mercure Brussels Centre Louise, Alliance Hotel Brussels Airport, Mercure Liège, Alliance Hotel Brussels Expo, and Mercure Leuven Centre.
The openings⎯⎯in addition to seven pentahotels opening this year in the U.K., the Czech Republic, and Hong Kong⎯⎯mark the highest growth period in the company’s history.
Targeting 80 hotels in operation, the group plans to expand worldwide⎯⎯particularly in Asia⎯⎯by 2020. The group’s expansion focuses on locations in urban centers, conference and exhibition complexes, and airport and railway transportation hubs. Slated openings include the 695-room pentahotel Hong Kong, Kowloon in summer 2013; the 204-room pentahotel Guiyang in China; and 384-room pentahotel Shenyang in China.
“The pentahotels’ neighborhood lifestyle hotel concept is resonating strongly with both customers and developers,” says Alastair Thomann, pentahotel’s managing director, Europe. “Whether in Europe or Asia, the mix of stylish and contemporary design with informality, comfort, and fun is proving a winning combination.”
In 2013, the pentahotels portfolio will expand by 70 percent from the current 2,925 rooms to 5,000 rooms in 27 locations worldwide.
