Hotel group Hyatt has promised a substantial international expansion over the next three years, launching into 13 new markets across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
New market entries will include Cape Verde, Estonia, Iceland, Mauritius and Romania. In addition, Hyatt’s luxury and lifestyle brands will be opening new hotels in Doha, Johannesburg, Lisbon and the Red Sea.
A strong market performance
Expansion recognises the strong contribution that hotels in these regions can make to the Hyatt group. From its third quarter results, Hyatt hotels in Europe delivered a 12.1% increase in revpar, with room rates up 5.8% year on year. At its resort properties, notably those in Bulgaria, Greece, Portugal and Spain, net package revpar improved by more than 14%.
Spain is a key market for Hyatt, and over the last five years the business has grown from just four hotels with just over 1,000 rooms, to a portfolio of 55 hotels today, adding up to more than 14,500 rooms. Some of that rapid growth is down to strategic acquisitions, with Hyatt taking over all-inclusive resort specialist Apple Leisure Group in 2021. More recently, a strategic joint venture agreed with Spanish company Grupo Pinero added five more resorts, all under the Bahia Principe brand, to Hyatt’s portfolio of all-inclusive properties in Europe.
Aside from resort hotels, Hyatt has also added to its presence in the lifestyle space, acquiring Standard International in 2024. The deal included the Standard brand, and one Spanish hotel, too – The Standard Ibiza. Rounding out the Spanish pipeline is Thompson Seville, which is expected to open in Spain’s fourth largest city in 2026.
Further European openings include the Andaz Lisbon, coming to the city’s Baixa district. The property will feature a signature rooftop restaurant, providing a great open air space to eat and relax. And in the UK, a combined dual project with a Hyatt Place, and Hyatt House, is preparing to open in the city of Leeds. While the 217 room Park Hyatt is perfect for the overnight visitor, the Hyatt House has studios and apartments designed to suit those with longer stays planned in the city.
Expanding in South Africa
In Johannesburg, Hyatt is converting the former Winston Hotel to become a Park Hyatt. The small, personal property has just 31 rooms and suites, some of which have private patios. The hotel will open midyear, and is now taking reservations for dates starting in June 2025.
Hyatt is also playing an active part in the development of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea tourism project. The Grand Hyatt The Red Sea will have 430 rooms, and is being built on Shaura Island, alongside an 18 hotel golf course and a marina. Also on the island, the group’s Miraval brand will be launching Miraval Red Sea, a wellness retreat with 180 suites and villas.
