Here’s How To Save on That Caribbean Cruise You’ve Been Dreaming Of
Coconuts aren’t the only thing you can shave off on your trip.
a&o Hostels has acquired Berlin-based Schulz Hotels as part of a €500-million growth strategy. The acquisition includes the 1,000-bed Schulz Berlin hotel, which will continue to operate under the Schulz brand. The founders of Schulz—Nizar Rokbani, Oskar Kan and Sascha Gechter—will join a&o’s management and advisory team as the company explores brand extension opportunities.
The acquisition is a&o’s first platform investment under its €500 million program. The transaction supports a&o’s strategy to expand in its core markets and diversify its offering while accelerating pan-European growth. The European Hostels Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8 percent from 2025 to 2030, supported by increasing inbound tourism, a rise in budget-conscious travellers and technological advancements.
“The combined know-how of a&o and Schulz amounts to 100 years of hostel expertise—the perfect prerequisite for further dynamic and creative growth in prime locations in European cities. Since 2024, we have deployed circa €500 million, scaling the a&o Hostels platform and leveraging the team’s unrivalled real estate, investment and hostels experience. With a supportive investor base and ongoing market dislocation presenting attractive investment opportunities, we are well placed to maintain this momentum in a rapidly maturing sector benefiting from compelling demographic and technological tailwinds,” said Oliver Winter, founder and CEO of a&o Hostels.
Schulz Hotels is a premium, design-led budget option. It caters to traditional hostel customers as well as business and individual travellers. In addition to the existing Berlin Ostbahnhof property, another Schulz hotel is planned in Berlin’s new Heide Quarter near the main train station.
The Schulz founders previously co-founded Meininger, a pan-European hotel and hostel hybrid company with more than 20,000 beds. The trio’s addition to a&o’s team will support brand and offering expansion.
“We are delighted to join forces with a&o and take the expansion of Schulz Hotels to the next level. Our partnership is complementary – we share values, target groups, and ambitions. Enormous synergies are emerging in purchasing, sales, and technology, from which both brands will benefit,” said Sascha Gechter, co-founder of Meininger and Schulz.
StepStone Group and Proprium Capital Partners sponsored the management-led acquisition of a&o in 2023 and have invested about €500 million into the platform’s expansion over the past 18 months. Other acquisitions during this period include assets in London, Brighton, Brussels, Antwerp and Heidelberg.
“a&o Hostels’ acquisition of Schulz Hotels marks the latest milestone in our drive for strategic growth across key European markets. Joining forces with the Schulz founders, who we have known for over a decade, will allow us to redefine what affordable travel can be,” said Philipp Westermann, partner at Proprium Capital Partners.
Founded in 2000 by Oliver Winter, a&o Hostels now operates 30,000 beds across Europe. In 2024, a&o hosted 2.8 million guests and 6.2 million overnight stays. In the first half of 2025, a&o recorded 1.4 million guests, 3.1 million overnight stays and an occupancy rate of 73 percent.
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed InterContinental Prague, confirming the return of the InterContinental brand to the Czech capital. The 137-key hotel is scheduled to open in the first half of 2029. It will join two existing IHG properties in the city: Holiday Inn Prague Congress Centre and Holiday Inn Prague Airport.
The hotel will be located at Jeruzalemska 8 in Prague 1 within a historic building that dates back to 1839. The property is part of the European real estate portfolio managed by Generali Real Estate. Over time, the building has served as a dance hall, a theatre and later office space. The renovation project is being overseen by Generali Real Estate and will convert the structure into InterContinental Prague.
The hotel will be positioned close to the city’s main Railway Station and will provide access to road and public transportation. The location places the property within walking distance of Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and the Prague Astronomical Clock.
Guests at InterContinental Prague will have access to a spa with a wellness area and pool, bar, restaurant and Club InterContinental. The property will also include a private garden. Conference facilities will be available for business travelers, and the hotel will be located near several corporate offices in the city center.
“We are honoured to begin our partnership with Generali Real Estate through this landmark signing in Prague, marking the return of our iconic InterContinental brand to the Czech Republic. The milestone not only represents a key moment in our Central and Eastern European development strategy, but also further strengthens IHG’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio in Europe, complementing our existing 34 hotels across these markets,” said (Mrs) Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts. “Together with Generali Real Estate, we are taking a pivotal step toward delivering an unparalleled InterContinental experience in the vibrant heart of Prague, setting new standards of luxury and hospitality and creating a destination that will captivate guests when it opens in 2029.”
“We are delighted that our first collaboration with IHG Hotels & Resorts will see us reimagine one of Prague’s most historical buildings into an InterContinental hotel – one of the most prestigious hospitality brands in the world. Together, we are committed to restoring and giving new life to an extraordinary asset,” said Ramon Spoladore, Head of CEE & Nordics, Generali Real Estate. “Prague is one of Europe’s most iconic cities and consistently ranks as one of Europe’s top tourist destinations, known for its rich history, vibrant cultural scene, safety and high-end lifestyle. Driven by the growth of the hospitality business, the city’s real estate market is experiencing significant expansion. We are proud to become the new home of the InterContinental hotel in Prague, and to contribute to creating a landmark of luxury hospitality for Central Eastern Europe.”
The InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand is currently undergoing a brand evolution focused on modern luxury travel while maintaining its core positioning centered on cultural connection.
Guido Fiorentino, president and CEO of the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, has been awarded the Leading Legend Award 2025, one of the highest honors granted by The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW). The recognition was presented during the official gala in Bangkok and celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to global hospitality.
“I had the great honor of winning the 2025 Leading Legend Award by LHW at the gala in Bangkok,” said Guido Fiorentino. “It is an acknowledgment that moves me deeply, and I wish to share it with my family and the entire team of the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria. For generations, we have carried forward a vision of hospitality that combines tradition and innovation, and knowing that this commitment is recognized internationally gives us the strength to continue growing and improving every day.”
The award acknowledges Fiorentino’s role in the growth and international positioning of the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, an icon of Italian hospitality since 1834. The hotel has been led by the Fiorentino family for six generations and continues to uphold standards of service that make it a benchmark in luxury hospitality.
The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is located in central Sorrento, offering views of the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. The five-star property features 80 rooms and suites with sea or garden views, an apartment, and is surrounded by a two-hectare park with a citrus grove and olive trees. As a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the hotel combines heritage with modern comforts.
Dining options include the Michelin-starred Terrazza Bosquet, the Orangerie Restaurant beside the pool, and the Terrazza Vittoria overlooking the Gulf of Naples. All restaurants are overseen by Executive Chef Antonino Montefusco, Michelin-starred, offering local and international cuisine prepared with organic ingredients from the Sorrento Peninsula and the hotel’s garden.
The hotel also supports culture and sustainability. It hosts a room of the Museum of Tourism and is a Corporate Golden Donor of FAI. It holds ISO 14001 certification for environmental management, ISO 9001 certification for quality, and the GBAC STAR certification for cleanliness and safety standards to ensure guest well-being.
The Leading Legend Award confirms Guido Fiorentino’s impact on the hotel and recognizes the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria as a reference for tradition, family heritage, and service excellence in the global luxury hospitality sector.
Comments
Post a Comment