New hotel project drives growth in the UK - 34,000 beds expected internationally till 2024.
With the signing of a new hotel project in Manchester, MEININGER Hotels is expanding its presence in the United Kingdom and once again reaffirming its ambitions for accelerated growth. The hotel group expects growth in beds of almost 150 percent to 34,000 by March 2024.
The new MEININGER Hotel is being built in the third largest metropolitan region in the United Kingdom. The hotel building in Manchester, with a gross floor area of almost 8,000 sqm, will have 212 rooms and 785 beds on a total of 12 floors. It is expected to open by the end of 2021 and is one of currently 17 hotel projects in Europe and the U.S.
"Manchester complements the rapidly growing portfolio of MEININGER Hotels. The demand for hotels in the city is growing continuously due to major infrastructure projects. In addition, Manchester has the largest office market outside London and benefits from a powerful event program throughout the year, attracting both leisure and MICE guests. MEININGER's distinctive hybrid concept can serve these segments exceptionally well," explains Hannes Spanring, CEO of MEININGER Hotels, emphasizing the strategic significance of the new location.
The building on 269 Great Ancoats Street will have double rooms, private multi-bed rooms for up to 6 people and beds in shared dormitories on floors two through eleven. In addition to the reception and lobby, there will also be a bar, outdoor terrace and MEININGER's typical guest kitchen and game zone on the ground floor. On the first floor, a breakfast room of almost 300 sqm is planned. As part of the lease agreement with development partner S Harrison Developments Ltd, the property will initially be operated for a period of 20 years.
Due to its location, the MEININGER Hotel Manchester is approximately ten minutes' walk from the main train station making it a central starting point in the North English trade fair, music and media city. The Northern Quarter, the city's popular nightlife area with restaurants, bars and boutiques, is also a ten-minute walk away. Important venues such as the Convention Center, Manchester Arena and Etihad Stadium are less than 20 minutes' walk away. From the nearby New Islington tram stop, it is less than ten minutes by public transport to downtown, the Central Station and 30 minutes to Salford Quays.
Doros Theodorou, CCO of MEININGER Hotels is confident: "The city's potential for MEININGER Hotels is immense," and continues "with three terminals carrying over 22 million passengers annually, Manchester Airport is the global gateway to Northern England and the third largest airport in the UK. Over 60 airlines ensure that Manchester is directly connected to over 200 destinations worldwide. We're expecting high occupancy rates from the very beginning of MEININGER's operation in Manchester."
The MEININGER Hotel London Hyde Park has been in operation since October 2006 and achieved a room occupancy rate of 94 percent in the past financial year. Over the next three years, the hotel group plans to expand into the U.S., Switzerland, Iceland and France. The first MEININGER Hotel in France will open this summer in Paris. The MEININGER Hotel Paris Porte de Vincennes holds 950 beds, making it the largest hostel-style accommodation in the French capital. Further deals, over 130 in Europe and 20 in the U.S., are currently being reviewed.
