Hotel openings in Europe in 2025 (part 2: Southern Europe and the Balkans)

After the new hotels expected in 2025 in Paris and in major French citiesVoyages d'Affaires takes a look at the openings planned for this year in Europe's major cities. After the openings planned in Northern EuropeA selection of hotels in Southern Europe and the Balkans.

ALBANIA

Adorn Tirana - Handwritten Collection (Spring 2025)

The Accor Group's new collection will open in Tirana in March, a stone's throw from the Selman Stermasi stadium and a five-minute walk from the lively Blloku district, with the boutique-hotel Adorn Tirana, with 25 rooms. Still in Eastern Europe, the brand is also set to make its debut in another capital this year, in Bucharestby welcoming as a member the Tecadra Bucharest hotel, which has been renovated and extended to offer around 100 rooms to travellers.

BULGARIA

Pullman Okol Golf Resort & Spa (mid-2025)

An 18-hole golf course, villas, lofts and studios as second homes overlooking Lake Iskar: the Okol Lake Park complex is taking shape. half an hour's drive from Sofia and the Borovets ski resort. A relaxing destination complemented by a Pullman resort with an offering in line with the expectations of leisure customers. In addition to 149 rooms and 40 villas, the top-of-the-range hotel will have four restaurants and bars, a rooftop spa of almost 5,000 m² and, still on its roof, an outdoor swimming pool, complemented by another indoors. However, the resort is also targeting the seminar and incentive clientele in the great outdoors, with a ultra-modern conference centre with two halls, one measuring 124 m² and the other 673 m², which can accommodate up to 550 people.

CROATIA

Hyatt Regency Zadar (spring 2025)

The Hyatt group's top-of-the-range brand revisits a contemporary hotel a former distillery This liqueur originated in Zadar before spreading its taste of almonds and cherries to Italy. On the site of the former headquarters of the Maraska company, dating from the early 20th^e The new hotel will feature 133 rooms and suites, as well as a spa, swimming pool and restaurant. Located on the seafront, just a short distance from the historic centre, the hotel will target both leisure and business travellers, in line with the brand's positioning. Increasing seminars The Hyatt Regency, which is due to open in May, will have four rooms accommodating from 16 to 365 people in its ballroom.

SPAIN

Barcelona

SLS Barcelona (early 2025)

The luxury resort brand SLS, which became part of Accor with the acquisition of the American group sbe, will be making its European debut in Barcelona this year. Situated on the seafront, close to the @22 district beloved of Catalan techies, the newly-built marina-side establishment will stand out for the multitude of options available to guests on a Mediterranean holiday, with six restaurant and bar concepts, three swimming pools and a spa. And yet, beneath its urban resort look, the establishment is also a major MICE hotel with its 471 rooms and suites and its event space with around ten rooms, including a ballroom for banquets of up to 600 people.

Madrid

The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel (early 2025)

A star of the Madrid hotel scene is back in business. Formerly known as The Westin Palace Madrid, this hotel opened in 1912 at the request of King Alfonso XIII and has undergone a long renovation phase to move upmarket and begin a new chapter under another Marriott group brand, the Luxury Collection. Located on the Plaza de las Cortez, next to the Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums, the hotel is due to open in March and will then offer 470 fully renovated rooms and a vast space for exclusive meetings and events with a total of 20 rooms for a MICE area of over 2,500 m².

Nobu Hotel Madrid (during 2025)

Present in Barcelona, Ibiza, Marbella and San Sebastian, Nobu Hotels will soon be bringing its lifestyle offering and trendy restaurant spaces to Madrid, thanks to the Nobu chef. It also has a flair for design, and it is to the American studio PCH, already at work in San Sebastian, that the group has entrusted the task of designing the hotel. turning an office building into a trendy hotel with its three-storey bar-restaurant and rooftop bar. All this in the very heart of the Spanish capital, at 26 Calle Alcala, between the Place des Cibèles and the Puerta del Sol.

Ibis Styles Madrid Airport (early 2025)

Affordable, designer accommodation in an area ideal for business travellers. Located in Valdebebas, the future ibis Styles Madrid Airport benefits, as its name suggests, from its proximity to terminal 4 of the Madrid hub, as well as the near the exhibition centre and IFEMA congress centre, in an urban area that is undergoing rapid expansion with the construction of the new courthouse. Expected to open in March, the hotel will offer 260 rooms, a restaurant, a rooftop bar and an outdoor swimming pool. This project, supported by Extendam, is not the only one for either the brand or the investor in Madrid. Two other establishments are on the year's programme with the ibis Madrid Las Tablas, which will be located close to many company headquarters such as BBVA, while the ibis budget Madrid Albasanz will offer a very economical accommodation option in the heart of the Julián Camarillo Business Park, in the new MADBIT business park.

Valencia

Novotel Valencia Lavant (early 2025)

Novotel intends to build a new flagship hotel in Valencia. A flagship for the city, but also for the brand, which will deploy its new urban and contemporary spirit within the walls of an existing hotel, completely refurbished to accommodate Accor's historic brand. Located right next to the Turia Gardens, 15 minutes' walk from the city centre and 5 minutes' drive from the congress centre, Novotel Valencia Lavant will have 370 rooms and a restaurant, a rooftop poolside bar and vast meeting and work spaces in line with the hotel's capacity. There will be 11 meeting rooms, the largest of which can accommodate more than 250 people in theatre format.

GREECE

Conrad Athens The Ilisian (late 2025)

One of the first Hilton hotels in Europe, it will soon be a luxurious Conrad hotel. Still owned by the American group, the hotel opened in 1963 and has undergone a major transformation to become the Conrad Hotel. an exclusive contemporary living space in the Ilisia district, combining a private club with a coworking space, trendy boutiques and a dozen or so restaurants, as well as a semi-Olympic swimming pool and a 700-metre running track on its planted rooftop. There are also VIP residences with around fifty private flats under the Waldorf Astoria and Conrad brands. As for the Conrad hotel, from the end of the year it will offer 280 rooms and suites, as well as spaces for meetings and events.

ITALY

Florence

W Florence (second quarter 2025)

The sophisticated spirit of the W Hotels brand will take up residence in Florence, just a stone's throw from the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo. Transforming a former four-star hotel that had fallen into disuse into a contemporary living space, with its W Lounge and Living Room where you can sip cocktails and enjoy DJ sets, the hotel will offer 119 rooms, including 16 suites, but also four meeting roomsThe restaurant will offer a range of unique panoramic views, from 36 to 73 m², and a rooftop garden, as well as a gastronomic offer based around cocktails and delicate amuse-bouches.

The Hoxton Florence (early 2025)

In a further departure from the Renaissance atmosphere of the Tuscan city, the lifestyle brand The Hoxton, owned by the Accor group, has moved into the centre of Florence, within two buildings, a palazzo dating from the 16th century and a building dating from the 18th century.^e century and its contemporary and minimalist counterpart designed in the 1980s by architect Andrea Branzi. The complex is set to house 161 rooms, a restaurant and a wine bar, as well as event spaces.

The Social Hub Belfiore (early 2025)

The embodiment of hybrid hotels, with rooms and studios tailored to short and long business stays, the upmarket BCorp-certified brand The Social Hub will be adding a second address in Florence in February. Located in the San Jacopino district, The Social Hub Belfiore will offer a wide range of options to meet travellers' expectations, including 550 rooms, coworking spaces for over 600 people and a range of meeting rooms from 2 to 25 people. There is also a rooftop garden for outdoor events. While this concept is also aimed at students spending a few months in the city, relaxation is also on the agenda, with a rooftop bar and Olympic-size swimming pool, as well as a range of dining options. Offering a similar range of facilities, two other Social Hubs are due to open at the beginning of the year, one in Italy, at Romein the dynamic San Lorenzo district, and the other in Portugal, at Portonear the university and the Bolhao market.

Milan

Casa Brera, a Luxury Collection Hotel (early 2025)

Expected to open in Madrid in the spring, in January Marriott's Luxury Collection moved to the heart of Milan, right next to La Scala, in the walls of a historic building in modernist style. Patricia Urquiola's sense of design has given a contemporary twist to the architecture designed in the 1950s by Pietro Lingeri, transforming it into a hotel with 101 rooms and 15 suites of timeless elegance. But Casa Brera also intends to make a name for itself on the Milanese scene with its gastronomic offer with Michelin-starred chef Andrea Berton at the helm of three of its restaurants - including one on the rooftop - and a Japanese cuisine restaurant overseen by Haruo Ichikawa, the first Japanese chef to win a Michelin star in Italy.

Six Senses Milan (second half of 2025)

Established in Rome since 2023, Six Senses is continuing its tour of Italy with two hotels coming this year, one on the shores of Lake Como and the other in Milan, at 19 Via Brera, just opposite the Pinacothèque. In the heart of this arty district, the future Six Senses will offer 68 rooms, including 15 suites, two of which will have a swimming pool. All guests will also have access to a rooftop pool and bar, as well as a spa, the signature offering of IHG's luxury wellness brand.

The Carlton (summer 2025)

Present in Rome and Florence, and expected in Naples in 2027, the Rocco Forte luxury group will complete its network in Italy's major cities this year in Milan, on the prestigious Via della Spiga. While the brand already manages exclusive private flats in Milan under its own name, its first hotel in the city will be the result of the takeover and development of the transformation of the Carlton Hotelformerly owned by the Baglioni Group and currently undergoing renovation. Designed like the group's other hotels by Olga Polizzi, this time in the company of designers Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen, The Carlton, Milan From the end of the summer, the hotel will offer 70 rooms and suites, a restaurant and lounge bar, as well as a rooftop bar overlooking the Quadrilatero della Moda.

Palermo

Mövenpick Hotel Mondello Palace Palermo (early 2025)

The Accor group's top-of-the-range brand is preparing to welcome Mondello Palace into its fold from spring, following the complete renovation of this hotel located in the small seaside resort of Mondello, just outside Palermo. With 80 rooms, the hotel offers a swimming pool, restaurants and four meeting rooms. Mövenpick will also be setting up in Bari This year, the event will be held at the Palace Hotel, one of the city's leading hotels, which is currently undergoing renovation and also boasts an attractive MICE area.

Rome

Orient Express La Minerva, Rome (spring 2025)

It will undoubtedly be one of the events of the year. The Orient Express brand is being reborn under the impetus of the Accor group, with not only ultra-luxury trains and sailing ships, but also prestigious hotels, the first of which will open in spring in the Eternal City. Reinventing one of the historic hotels in the centre of Rome, housed since 1810 in a 17th century palace^e The Orient Express La Minerva will offer 93 rooms and suites designed by architect and designer Hugo Toro. A stopping-off point for Stendhal and George Sand during their Grand Tour of Italy in past centuries, the hotel will also offer a spa and a rooftop terrace with a bar and restaurant offering breathtaking views of the Italian capital.

Hyatt Regency Rome Termini (summer 2025)

The Hyatt Group's business brand is setting up in the Italian capital this year, right next to Termini station. The result of the takeover of the former Radisson Blu Es, the refurbished 238-room hotel will retain all the features of the former Radisson Blu Es. one of the city's largest rooftopsThe new building houses a semi-Olympic swimming pool, a bar and a restaurant, as well as a large meeting space of over 1,000 m², spread over two indoor and outdoor floors.

Thompson Rome (during 2025)

Thompson Hotels, another Hyatt Group brand to appear in Rome, is continuing its global expansion to the sound of theInternationalby taking up residence within the walls of the former headquarters of the Italian Communist Party. Located not far from the Piazza del Popolo and the Corso, the 1930s building has embarked on a lifestyle revolution with a sophisticated decor for its 69 rooms and an upmarket, trendy approach to F&B, including a rooftop cocktail bar.

Corinthia Rome (spring 2025)

In the battle between hotel groups for the best locations in the Italian capital, the Corinthia luxury group has found an address more geared towards 'big business' than the former PC offices now occupied by the future Thompson. The former headquarters of the italian central bankThe hotel is housed in a neoclassical palazzo dating from 1914. Close to the Pantheon, the hotel has been converted into 60 elegant rooms and suites, as well as a cocktail bar. The restaurant will be run by Michelin-starred chef Carlo Cracco.

Giulio Cesare - Maison Albar (February 2025)

Present in Portugal and China, the Maison Albar group is continuing its international expansion with a hotel in Rome thanks to the takeover of the Hotel Giulio Cesare. After two years of renovation under the guidance of architect Marcelo Joulia, the hotel, located between the Vatican and the Piazza del Popolo, retains its historic façade, but has been given a new, more modern interior. rooftop with a trattoriaOn the ground floor, the bar-restaurant extends into the garden. Also at the bottom of the garden, an outbuilding has been converted into a villa with a suite and two bedrooms, giving the hotel a total of 50 rooms with elegant, timeless decor.

MALTA

Romègas Hotel, Valletta (summer 2025)

Located in the heart of the Maltese capital, the Romègas Hotel is being built within the walls of a palazzo built five centuries ago for the Knight of Malta Mathurin Romègas. Meticulously restored under the direction of EM Architects and the Camilleri Paris Mode design agency, this historic building will house behind its carved stone façade a intimate, contemporary boutique hotel with 23 rooms and suites, affiliated to the L.V.X collection of Preferred Hotels. With terrazzo floors, traditional Maltese balconies and a rooftop swimming pool, the Romègas hotel offers an authentic setting enhanced by a bar and restaurant led by Maltese chef Marvin Gauci.

PORTUGAL

ME Lisbon (during 2025)

Close to Marques de Pombal Square and Avenida da Liberdade, this new Melia Group hotel will also play the card of trendy, contemporary luxury. Designed by architect Joao Paciencia, the hotel will stand out not only for its semi-transparent glass façade, but also for its sophisticated interiors created by the Broadway Malyan studio. The ME Lisbon will offer business travellers more than 200 rooms and a meeting space of more than 600 m². But the event-driven dimension The ME brand will also be present, with several restaurant concepts and a Radio Rooftop Bar with a festive atmosphere and panoramic views over the Portuguese capital.

Andaz Lisbon (second quarter 2025)

For this new hotel in Europe, the Hyatt Group brand in the relaxed luxury has found a prime location in the heart of the lively Baixa district, at the junction of Augusta and do Comercio streets. Revisiting the former offices of one of the country's leading banks, Banco Portugues de Investimento, this new Andaz hotel will spread its lifestyle spirit across 169 rooms, a signature restaurant serving contemporary Portuguese cuisine, a rooftop terrace lounge and another lounge bar in the lobby.

ROMANIA

Corinthia Bucharest (autumn 2025)

The Corinthia Group is breathing new life into one of the glories of the Romanian capital, the Grand Hôtel du Boulevard, whose history dates back to the second half of the 19th century.^e century. Inaugurated in 1871, the establishment, built at the instigation of French businessman Jacques Herdan, was the first in the country to offer the innovations of the time: running water, electricity and lifts. Carefully restored, this historic jewel with a neoclassical façade will return to its original grandeur with an exclusive range of 30 suites. But it will also offer a lounge bar and gourmet restaurant, in partnership with Monaco's party venue SAAS Café, while its grand ballroom is once again set to host top-of-the-range events.

Swissôtel Bucharest (early 2025)

Business travellers passing through the Romanian capital are sure to catch a glimpse of this new top-of-the-range establishment, Bucharest's future highest hotel. Housed in an 85-metre tower on boulevard Expozitiei, close to the Romexpo exhibition centre, Swissôtel Bucharest will have 224 rooms and suites spread over 27 floors, a lounge bar and rooftop restaurant, and a swimming pool at 22^e floor. Close to a number of company headquarters, the hotel also offers ample space for business meetings and corporate events.

TURKEY

Aloft Istanbul Karaköy (end 2025)

Inspired by the lifestyle spirit of W Hotels, the mid-range lifestyle brand Aloft, part of the Marriott group, will be setting up in the Karaköy district at the end of the year, offering a contemporary hotel experience. Comprising 107 loft-style rooms, the hotel is organised around a lobby design on two floors, focusing on coworking during the day, but transforming into a lounge bar and concert hall in the evening. There's also a terrace restaurant and a gym to keep you fit when you're away on business.

The Grand Tarabya (open)

When it opened in 1966, it was one of the first five-star hotels in Turkey. Located along the Bosphorus, The Grand Tarabya was acquired by the Accor group on 31 December last year and will be managed by the French group under a white label, while it undertakes a renovation phase before being rebranded under the Accor brand. Fairmont at its conclusion. With 248 rooms and suites, the hotel boasts all the features of this luxury brand, including seven bars and restaurants, a 4500 m² wellness area and a a wide choice of meeting rooms and events, including a 1250 m² ballroom overlooking the Bosphorus.