Accor, operator of the Novotel and Ibis brands; Hilton; and Hyatt will not be opening any new hotels in Russia, and they are suspending all partnerships with Russian companies, though they will continue to operate existing hotels, the hotel chains said in their respective statements.
“The French owner of the Novotel and Ibis hotel chains said that it has suspended all planned openings and developments in Russia and any partnerships with Russian companies, though it will continue to operate its more than 50 hotels in the country in order to support its 3,500 Russian employees,” the Financial Times wrote.
Accor was the first international hotel chain to announce a halt, followed by Hilton, operator of the LXR Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria, Hilton brands and others, and Hyatt. Neither Marriott nor IHG has issued a statement regarding the matter.
“We have now taken the decision to suspend our development activities and any new investment in Russia, and the decision is effective immediately,” the Hyatt hotel chain posted on its official news site.
Hyatt also notes that it will continue to monitor the situation in Russia, while complying with the directives of the U.S. government, as it hopes for a resolution to the crisis.
The Hilton hotel chain said late on Wednesday that it had closed its corporate office in Moscow and would suspend construction of hotels in Russia. The company said in a statement that it would also continue to monitor the situation in Russia.
Accor CEO Sebastien Bazin had previously canceled a meeting scheduled for this week with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Accor’s plans for 2022 had included the opening of five new hotels in Russia. Overall, there are 50 hotels open in the country, with 21 of them operating in Moscow.
The online booking services of Airbnb and Booking.com have also ceased operations in Russia.
The Radisson hotel chain has stated that it would remain in Russia. “All Radisson Hotel Group hotels in Russia will continue to operate. We are closely monitoring the situation in the region, we care about the well-being of all guests and team members, and continue to adhere to all instructions,” the company said in a statement.
Hilton has entered into a franchise agreement with Gefest Group (the real estate developer, Odessa) on the implementation of a hotel project in Odessa, which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2025. According to a press release of Hilton, the hotel near the Arcadia entertainment area will be managed by Cyprus-based Millennium Hospitality. The new hotel will become part of the Hilton Hotels & Resorts chain.“There is clear opportunity for growth in Ukraine, with two hotels set to join our portfolio alongside Hilton Kyiv. Growing international interest in Odessa and robust domestic demand make Hilton Odessa an important addition to our European pipeline. We are pleased to be working with Gefest Group to introduce our flagship brand to southern Ukraine,” Senior Vice President for Development at Hilton Europe, the Middle East and Africa Patrick Fitzgibbon was quoted in the report. According to the report, the project provides for the construction of two buildings in Vanny and Primorsky lanes in Odesa. The hotel will have 145 rooms. The hotel infrastructure will include two swimming pools, one of which is panoramic, four restaurants and bars, a conference center (800 square meters), a banquet hall (300 square meters), a rooftop lounge area, and a spa center (600 square meters). Gefest Group was founded in Odessa in 1997. The company’s portfolio includes more than 40 office, retail and residential real estate projects in Ukraine and Europe at different stages of implementation.
The executive committee of the Lviv City Council has approved the town-planning conditions and limits for designing an office and hotel center at 191b, Liubinska Street.
As reported on the website of the City Council, private enterprise Galmodern plans to build an office center with underground parking and a hotel and office center with underground parking on the site. The facilities will be located near the Lviv airport.
Zaxid.net reported with reference to Head of the department of architecture and urbanism of the Lviv City Council Yulian Chaplynsky that Galmodern is negotiating the opening of a hotel under the international brand of Hilton Hotels & Resorts.
“There are negotiations with the Hilton network. But for the time being they have only received town planning conditions for design. It is finally unknown if they submit this [the project] to Hilton or another network,” Chaplynsky said.
According to the unified public register, Natalia Onoshko (100%) is listed as the participant and ultimate beneficiary of Galmodern.
She also acts as a signatory to LLC Innovation Management Systems, registered in 3, Shukhevycha Street, in Lviv. At this address, the Ibis hotel operates (Ibis Styles Lviv Center opened at the end of 2015).
