Fattal’s grand purchase

Israeli Fattal Hotel Group has been busy snapping up new hotel properties with the acquisition of Brighton’s The Grand. Last year, the group acquired six hotels in Spain for €165 million; more recently completed the purchase and restructuring of a portfolio in Austria; and lately swooped in on The Dilly in London.

Brighton has been a popular destination for leisure travellers over the past few years, ranking amongst the top UK cities. In this time, Selina and Soho House have opened new sites in Brighton, as have extended-stay brands Supercity and Staybridge Suites. Fattal – owner of Leonardo Hotels which already has two properties in the city – plans to “invest significantly” in The Grand whilst retaining its identity. A staple along Brighton’s seafront, I suspect Fattal will want to capitalise on the hotel’s heritage and status.

The Grand’s previous owner, Wittington Investments, is a privately held firm with only one other hotel in its hospitality portfolio. Independent hotels form a small proportion of Fattal’s 250+ assets – the majority of which are branded. Fattal clearly has expertise overseeing such a broad European portfolio, though I hope the The Grand’s culture and independent identity is not diluted in the transition – particularly because I enjoyed being part of the hospitality team working there not so long ago!

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