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Malin Widmarc-Nilsson and Nicolas Capelle have been appointed to the Executive Committee of MEININGER Hotels with immediate effect. Their addition adds further depth to the group's Executive Committee.

International expertise in Commercial Management

Malin Widmarc-Nilsson joined the company in August 2015 with extensive international experience in commercial management. In her new role, she will lead the Commerce division, including Sales, Group Sales, Marketing, Revenue and Central Reservations which she originally developed and for which she continues to provide strategic direction and ensure accelerated growth. "Malin Widmarc-Nilsson, working with her team of experienced professionals has established MEININGER Hotels as a key hybrid hotel brand in European hospitality," says Ajit Menon, CEO of MEININGER Hotels. Prior to joining MEININGER Hotels, Widmarc-Nilsson has held senior leadership positions at multi-brand franchise hotel chains and significant hotel brands such as Accor, Dorint, Pullman, Nikko & Westin Hotels. She has lived and worked in the USA, India, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and Germany. Widmarc-Nilsson holds a bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management from Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

Europe-wide expertise in Development & Asset Management

Nicolas Capelle joined MEININGER Hotels in September 2015 in the Development team and will now lead the business's Development and Asset Management. Over the last 3 years, he and his team have been instrumental to growing the MEININGER footprint from 16 to 30 hotels and broadening its geographic spread. Ajit Menon says, "Nicolas Capelle and his team have done outstanding work in recent years, entering new markets and driving expansion in Europe. In 2021 we have opened five hotels and there are more openings scheduled in 2022." Prior to joining MEININGER Hotels, Capelle worked at Motel One where he developed their hotels in the France and Benelux market. He has also previously worked at PKF hotelexperts and Hilton Hotels. He has a bachelor's degree in business economics from the Vrije Universiteit Brussels and an MBA in Hospitality Administration from Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne.

After a successful year, MEININGER Hotels continues to focus on expansion

MEININGER Hotels continues to focus on growth in both existing and new markets, including Germany, Austria, Spain, Poland, France, Italy and Southeast Europe. New openings are scheduled in Bremen, Cologne, Dresden, Tel Aviv and Warsaw. In addition to these investments, the company is focussing on digitisation. "The successful, well-booked summer, confirms continued growth in city tourism. The DACH markets in particular have recovered strongly in the last three months with average room occupancy of between 82 and 88 percent. Berlin averaged occupancy of around 90 percent between August and October," says Ajit Menon. "Demand is also being driven by pan-European travel. Over the last three months, we have witnessed strong increase in demand, especially in cities such as Copenhagen, Paris and Brussels. In October alone, these cities recorded average room occupancy rates between 80 and 88 percent."

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It has been a fruitful year for MEININGER Hotels. In the beginning of November, the group will open the doors to its newest hotel: the MEININGER Hotel Innsbruck Zentrum, the fourth MEININGER hotel in Austria. This means that in addition to Salzburg and Vienna, guests can now benefit from low-cost accommodation in Innsbruck. The new MEININGER hotel in Innsbruck is done in a fitting "Way to Mountain Adventure" theme and offers a total of 260 beds. The group's fifth 2021 opening is planned for December in Marseille, France.

Innsbruck is often referred to as the capital of the Alps. It is also one of the best cities for outdoor recreation in Europe. "Before the pandemic, Innsbruck reported an increase of nearly 30% in overnight stays," explains Thomas Hagemann, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of MEININGER Hotels. "We expect Innsbruck to continue to draw more visitors in the future. However, most of the accommodation in the city is quite expensive. Budget and economy lodging only accounts for 30% of the total share, and is mostly found in small, privately run hotels." For Hagemann, Innsbruck is the perfect market for MEININGER's innovative hybrid hotel concept, which appeals to both business and leisure travelers. "With its rich history and urban Alpine location, Innsbruck is a favorite stop for families, tour groups, athletes, and guests from all over the world."

Easy to access by plane or train, rooms for all needs and tastes

The hotel's 74 rooms are spread out over seven floors, and depending on the type, come equipped with up to six beds. In addition to classic double rooms, the hotel offers spacious shared rooms for families, backpackers, school classes, and other travel groups. Typical for MEININGER, the Innsbruck hotel boasts a variety of amenities such as a guest kitchen, a game zone, a bar, a washing machine and dryer, and free WiFi. It also has its very own ski and bike room that guests can use for their sports equipment. Room rates start at €42 per person per night for a double room, and €32 per person per night for a shared room.

The new MEININGER Hotel Innsbruck Zentrum was created inside a historical building expanded by an annex. The project was carried out by BW-Microliving GmbH, a development company based in Vienna and Sankt Veit an der Glan in Austria. "The rare Tyrolean stone façade makes this building special, as does its historic staircase, which we were able to preserve with technical expertise," explains Bernhard Wippaunig, Managing Partner of BW-Microliving GmbH. "Despite all the problems and obstacles associated with the pandemic, we were determined to see this project through. Without the precious help we received from the Meininger team, it would have been much more difficult to complete this stunning renovation. I am extremely proud that we were able to provide Meininger with such a beautiful hotel," affirms Bernhard Wippaunig.

The hotel is located across from the library of the University of Innsbruck in the Hötting district, a quick walk from the Old Town with its 800-year history and numerous sights such as the Goldenes Dachl. Several buses and trams stop directly in front of the hotel, allowing guests to reach the city's main train station in five minutes and Innsbruck Airport in just ten minutes. Thanks to the combination of old and new buildings, no two rooms in the hotel are alike; some have balconies, while others have large bay windows that let in lots of light. In addition, a 21 kWp (approx. 23,000 kWh) solar panel system on the roof provides part of the hotel's electricity.

Mountain references galore

"Way to Mountain Adventure" is the theme that was chosen for the interior design of the hotel. After all, the hotel is located right in the middle of the Alps. And as the saying here goes, you can really hear the mountains calling in Innsbruck. Inside the hotel, the decor is highlighted by popular mountain sports such as climbing, paragliding, hiking, snowboarding, mountain biking, and skiing. These sports are reflected in the colors and designs, and were the inspiration for the shape and style of the furnishings. Examples include furniture creatively designed with snowboards, and walls adorned with illustrations of ice axes and ski poles.

Goldenes Dachl, Hungerburg, and Alpenzoo

Innsbruck wows visitors all year long with its Old Town, narrow streets, and Late Gothic style architecture. Its best-known attraction is the Goldenes Dachl, a Late Gothic oriel in the Old Town covered with gilded tiles. Other famous sights include the baroque style Helbinghaus, Innsbruck Cathedral, the Triumphpforte, the Goldener Adler restaurant, the Innsbruck Rathaus, and the 57-meter-high Stadtturm in the middle of the city. But what really makes Innsbruck unique is its proximity to the mountains. The Nordkette, one of the four main chains in the Karwendel range, towers over the city. The Bergisel, with its famous ski jump, lies just outside the city limits. Ski areas such as Axamer Lizum, Kühtai, Patscherkofel, and even Stubaier Gletscher are just a few kilometers away and easy to reach by bus. In the summer, visitors can access numerous hiking trails directly from the city (such as the Sellraintaler Höhenweg) and mountain bike trails like the Arzler Alm. Families love to visit the Alpenzoo with Alpine marmots, birds of prey, and other animals.

Ambitious growth goals achieved, more openings planned for 2022

"Despite the many challenges that the hotel industry faced in 2020 and 2021, we were able to maintain the frequency of our new hotel openings," reveals Hagemann. "We are delighted with the new hotel in Innsbruck, and will continue to implement our ambitious expansion plans for Europe in the future." This year, MEININGER Hotels opened its first two hotels in Switzerland in Zurich and Geneva. It also opened a hotel in Bordeaux, and plans to open another hotel in France in Marseille later this year. In 2022, the group plans to open new hotels in Dresden and Bremen, among other cities.

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Geneva is the third new opening for MEININGER Hotels this year, and the group's second Swiss location after Zurich, where a new MEININGER hotel has just opened last month. The newly constructed building in Geneva's Charmilles district offers a total of 104 rooms and 362 beds. Two more new openings are on the agenda for MEININGER Hotels this year-in Innsbruck and Marseille. A total of five new hotels will open in 2021.

Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland and an extremely attractive city with many green areas, Lake Geneva and numerous cultural attractions. Additionally, the United Nations Office based in Geneva makes the city a global diplomatic center. "Geneva is an important location for the portfolio of MEININGER Hotels," says Doros Theodorou, CCO of MEININGER Hotels. "With attractions from science, culture, and diplomacy, the proximity to the Swiss and French Alps, Geneva attracts visitors from all around the world. Our goal in Switzerland is to offer guests affordable accommodation with an attractive price-performance ratio so, even travelers on a budget can discover the beauty of this city."

Flexible room concept for different guest segments

The new MEININGER Genève Centre Charmilles is nestled between city and nature, just 10 minutes by bus from the main train station and 20 minutes from the airport. In 25 minutes by bus, you can reach the famous fountain Jet d'Eau at Lake Geneva. Not far from the hotel are recreation sites like Parc des Franchises and Parc Geisendorf. The hybrid concept of MEININGER Hotels offers 104 rooms with two, three, four or six beds. "The flexible room structure of MEININGER Hotels allows for high-cost efficiency," says Doros Theodorou. "All MEININGER hotels offer classic double rooms, but also private and shared multi-bedded rooms with up to 6 beds."

Space-style interior design

As home to the CERN, the world's largest laboratory for particle physics, and Geneva being the research center for conditions in the universe at the time of the big bang, the world of physics, shapes and colors of the universe set the tone for the interior design of the hotel. Public spaces offer the MEININGER-typical guest kitchen, game zone with foosball and billiards, and bar. There is also a washer, dryer, luggage room and free Wi-Fi for all guests.

Switzerland's largest historical center & 36 museums

The Old Town of Geneva is home to Switzerland's largest historical center with St. Pierre Cathedral. It is only a few minutes' walk through the narrow streets from the cathedral to the shore of Lake Geneva with the city's most famous sight: Jet d'Eau. The water fountain, up to 140 meters high, emits 500 liters per second into the sky and has become the city's landmark. Geneva is also popular for its English Garden, the Rose Garden and the many other parks and gardens-20 percent of the city is green space. Culture enthusiasts will love the award-winning Ethnography Museum, the Patek Philippe Museum of Watches and Jewellery, Maison Tavel, a museum about Geneva's history, and 33 other museums in the most important city in western Switzerland.

New openings in 2021: Innsbruck and Marseille

"Our industry is experiencing tough times and facing many challenges caused by the pandemic and its consequences. However, we have been able to shift priorities, drive digitalization and growth, including the five new openings for 2021," says CCO Doros Theodorou. The MEININGER Hotel Genève Centre Charmilles is the second of its kind in Switzerland after Zurich. In France, the opening of a MEININGER hotel in Marseille is on the agenda this year after the MEININGER in Bordeaux Gare Saint-Jean opened this May. In Austria, another hotel will open this summer in Innsbruck.

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It is the second of five new hotels that MEININGER Hotels will open this year and the third in France: the MEININGER Hotel Bordeaux Gare Saint-Jean opened 26 May. Close to main train station Gare Saint Jean, the hotel can accommodate up to 493 guests in a total of 162 rooms. With this project, the hotel group once again emphasizes its ambitious growth plans during the pandemic.

MEININGER's typical hybrid concept

The MEININGER Hotel Bordeaux Gare Saint-Jean offers 162 rooms with either two, three, four or six beds and one large guest kitchen, free Wi-Fi, washing machine and dryer for guests, a children's play area, and game zone. "MEININGER's hybrid hotel concept serves target groups from backpackers and families to business travelers and school groups. The flexible room structure with twin and multi-bedded rooms with up to 6 beds compensates for market fluctuations and enables maximum operational efficiency at peak times," says Doros Theodorou, CCO of MEININGER Hotels. "We want to and plan to continue to expand this successful hospitality concept throughout Europe in the future."

Further openings in France, Austria and Switzerland this year

"We are looking forward to this year's new openings, which started with MEININGER's market entry in Switzerland, in Zurich in May," says Doros Theodorou. The MEININGER Hotel Bordeaux Gare Saint-Jean is the third hotel to open in France in just one and a half years, after Paris and Lyon. "During the tough times for the hotel industry in 2020 and 2021, we have been able to shift our priorities and give focus to internal company projects in digitalization, but have also managed to maintain the momentum of our opening programs," says Theodorou. By the end of 2021, a fourth hotel in France will follow. This time in Marseille, located in the district of La Joliette in the 2nd arrondissement, north of the Old Port. La Joliette is the center of France's largest urban renewal project Euroméditerranée, which represents the modernization and restructuring of the city center and former industrial port, making it the perfect location for an innovative MEININGER hotel. With Zurich, Bordeaux and Marseille, two more MEININGER hotel openings are expected this year in Innsbruck and Geneva.

The new MEININGER Hotel Bordeaux Gare Saint-Jean is located in the southern district of St. Jean, an up-and-coming neighborhood with many restaurants, bars, markets, bistros and clubs. Tram lines C and D as well as six bus lines can be reached in no time to get to the world's largest digital art center Bassins de Lumiéres or the interactive wine museum Cité du Vin. Merignac Airport is also directly connected with bus line 1 from Peyronnet station.

A city between vineyards, culture and architecture

Bordeaux is not only a city for those who love the world-famous wine that grows in the surrounding vineyards, but also for visitors to the Vinexpo Wine Fair and other international congresses. Increasingly, many culture and architecture enthusiasts are visiting the port city in France's south-west. After all, the 350 historical monuments and sights of the Old Town helped to recognize it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. These include Esplanade des Quinconces, Europe' largest inner-city square, Cathedrale St. André, the old town hall tower, or the almost 80-metre-wide waterfront promenade on the River Garonne. The historic ensemble of Bordeaux is considered to be the largest and most beautiful within France. In just a 15-minute walk, guests of the new MEININGER hotel can reach the city center and arrange beautiful holiday pictures e.g., on the Place de la Bourse, where a huge, accessible water level impressively reflects the entire ensemble.

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MEININGER Hotels starts the season of new openings in May with a market entry: In Zurich, the hotel chain opens its first hotel in Switzerland. A second hotel will follow in June in Geneva, western Switzerland. However, the opening of the 174-room hotel in the sustainable Greencity district on the outskirts of Zurich not only marks the market entry into a new country, but also the start of a total of five new openings in the pandemic year 2021. This growth in existing and new markets is a top priority for MEININGER Hotels, along with digitalisation, streamlining the organisation and sustainability.

Limmat, Lake Zurich, Uetliberg, major banks and watch shops - Switzerland's largest city is known for its beautiful location and proverbial Swiss economy. Despite the high cost of living, Zurich is considered a city with an extremely high quality of life. In addition to chic shops, the city on the Limmat also has a lively art scene and many leisure activities. Anyone who lives here can consider themselves lucky. And so can anyone on holiday here, because Zurich is always worth a trip. "And thanks to MEININGER, there is now also affordable accommodation in Zurich - without compromising on service and comfort," says Doros Theodorou, CCO of MEININGER Hotels. A stroll through the picturesque alleys of the old town takes you past the Lindenhof, the town hall and the Grossmünster. From Bürkliplatz you can enjoy the fantastic view over the lake to the peaks of the Swiss Alps. Those interested in culture can visit the Zurich Opera House, one of the 14 art museums or the Cabaret Voltaire, where Dadaism was born in 1916.

From the sustainable Greencity to the old town in ten minutes

The new MEININGER Hotel Zurich is located at Zurich-Manegg station in the sustainable Greencity district. It takes around ten minutes by S-Bahn to reach the city centre, and 30 minutes to Zurich Kloten Airport. In Greencity, the name says it all: 100 per cent of the supply comes from renewable energy sources, the environmentally friendly mobility concept offers, among other things, two car-sharing locations and ten per cent of the parking spaces are reserved for electric vehicles. "Greencity will develop from a showcase project for sustainable urban neighbourhoods into an established living, working and living space, it will hopefully serve as a model for many more urban building projects and stand for the proof that quality of life and responsibility are very compatible," says Theodorou. Already, new restaurants, cafés, shops and flats - all sharing the same sustainable vision - are continuously springing up in the green district. And on the doorstep are the green slopes of the Sihl Valley, with their extensive hiking trails inviting visitors to beautiful excursions into the Swiss mountains.

Where Dadaism complements the hybrid concept

The new hotel building, designed by the renowned Zurich architectural firm Gigon/Guyer, has 174 rooms with a total of 582 beds on six floors. True to the MEININGER hybrid concept, there are twin, 3-, 4- and 6-bed rooms. Of course, the new hotel - in keeping with its location - has been awarded the LEED Platinum and greenproperty Silber sustainability certifications. The interior design was inspired by the art style of Dadaism. Unusual furniture, decorations and design elements allude to the art movement of the early 20th century, which is intended to promote uninhibited fantasy and express irrationality. As in every MEININGER hotel, there is also a guest kitchen in Zurich, a game zone with foosball

table, washing machine, dryer, luggage room, free wifi, a bar and various card and board games to borrow. By the way: although you can spend a lot of money eating, drinking and shopping in Zurich, the prices at the new MEININGER Hotel are kept within limits. One night in a double room costs from 43 euros per person, in a dormitory from 21 euros.

Affordable solutions for increased demand

As to why MEININGER decided to enter the Swiss market, the company's CCO, Doros Theodorou, explains: "In recent years, a lot of supply has entered the Zurich hotel market, putting pressure on prices and occupancy rates. The creation of new demand generators, such as urban development projects in Zurich West and Europaallee, as well as growing passenger volumes at Zurich Airport, caused demand to grow. This trend will continue despite the pandemic. The long-term outlook is positive. Furthermore, with our product we are tapping into new guest segments for whom an overnight stay in Zurich was not very affordable until now. The international reputation as an important financial centre and corporate headquarters as well as the high attractiveness as a tourist destination mean stable prospects in a secure environment. Last but not least, Zurich is a big name especially among American and Asian tourists as well, and these numbers will continue to rise. We have carefully analysed the developments of the Zurich hotel market in recent years and incorporated them into our conservative calculations."

Zurich is followed by Innsbruck, Bordeaux, Geneva and Marseille

The MEININGER Hotel Zurich is the first of its kind in Switzerland. In June, a second hotel will open in Geneva. In France, the new openings of MEININGER Bordeaux and Marseille are scheduled for this year, and in Austria, MEININGER Innsbruck will open in May. "We are looking forward to this year's new openings and plan to continue our ambitious expansion in Europe in the long term," says the CCO of MEININGER Hotels.

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