Switzerland, Italy, China: new horizons for Ruby hotels

The Swiss business hotel industry has recently welcomed a new member: Ruby Hotels recently opened the doors of its first address in Zurich. Mimi, the little name given to this first Ruby, has taken up residence in the century-old Orient building, one of the city's first cinemas, some elements of which have been preserved to give the new hotel its cachet. " When I was a teenager, I often came to the ABC cinema. I never thought that one day I'd be in charge of this building as a hotel manager. "says Markus Juan Perez Lieb, who recalls " the most exciting project of my professional career ".

The Ruby Mimi hotel is now home to 208 rooms spread over seven floors. Depending on their budget and needs, business travellers can choose from a wide range of offers, with no fewer than six categories available, from the 17 m² NEST Room to the 32 m² Star Rooms.

The managers of the hotel group have high hopes for this first opening in Switzerland, in an environment that is particularly well suited to the brand's positioning: " The Swiss market, and Zurich in particular, offer great potential for our 'Lean Luxury' philosophy: the experience of luxury accommodation at an affordable price in prime locations. "says Daniella Boeken, Group Vice President Commercial at Ruby.

Florence, a first stop in Italy

However strategic it may be, the Swiss market is not the only one to attract the interest of the German hotelier. On the fringes of the inauguration in Zurich, Ruby's management team announced that it would be opening a new hotel in Switzerland. foray into the Italian market. And it's Florence which will set the ball rolling, with the inauguration scheduled for the 3rd quarter. 2023on the Piazza della Libertà, in the northern part of the historic centre. Here too, Ruby has opted for a building with character: in this case, a 19th century building with Florentine arcades on the ground floor and XXL high ceilings, " to convert some rooms into maisonettes "The project managers warn. Ruby's first Italian address will have fewer rooms than its Zurich counterpart (118), but will be equipped with facilities dedicated to business customers. The project includes a Ruby Workspace of some 300 m², developed in collaboration with GB Holding Group.

The consolidation of its European network - which has also materialised in Ruby's home market, with new establishments opened in recent months at Düsseldorf and Frankfurt - is not stopping the Group from keeping an eye on Asia. In fact, three years after setting up the joint venture Ruby Asia Hotels Ltd, the group is preparing to reap the rewards of the preparatory work undertaken with the Chinese player Betterwood Hotel Group. Ruby's roadmap includes Shanghai Lujiazui, Cheng Du, Zhuhai, Hangzhou, Haiyan, Wulumuqi, Xining and Nanjing. According to Ruby's management, all these projects are due to come to fruition in the near future: " All hotels due to open next year ".