At their majority, international hotel chains are listed as 5-star lodgings, with 14% of hotels and 18% of rooms being part of an international chain (not related to travel agents), while when it comes to the 4-star category, 2% of hotels and 6% of rooms are listed under an international brand. In the meantime, international chains are not currently active on the 3-star accommodations.
The most recent arrival is One & Only Aesthesis in the Athens Riviera, which opened its doors this month, while Kea One & Only is expected to open in Kea Island, and Banyan Tree, Six Senses, Rosewood (Blue Palace in Crete – just announced) and Conrad are also on their way.
Marriott holds the Lion's share
Most units operate under Marriott International group.
It is noteworthy that the chain did not withdraw from the Greek market in 2014, when its contract with Ledra Marriott Athens (today Grand Hyatt Athens) was not renewed at the end of 2013.
Since 2015, Marriott has started to build its presence in Greece and in that year, Domes of Elounda announced that it will join the Autograph Collection, being the first hotel of the collection in Greece and the Mediterranean.
In September 2016, Marriott International completed the acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, which at the time had one Sheraton Hotel in Greece, eight The Luxury Collection Hotels - including Arion Astir Palace - and two Westin Resorts - including Westin Athens Astir Palace which currently operates as the Four Seasons Astir Palace.
By acquiring Starwood, the company also purchased a majority stake in Design Hotels, while since February 2021, Marriott controls Design Hotels as well.
In 2017, Design Hotels had 12 units, while today 25 hotels are associated with over 1,600 rooms.
In May 2018, the company returned to Athens with the opening of the Athens Marriott, renamed from the Metropolitan Hotel.
The first Moxy Hotel of the chain opened in Patras in the summer of 2019, under the name Moxy Patra Marina. In 2022, Moxy Athens City opened in Omonia Square. Finally, Marriott's Autograph Collection (upper upscale) expanded to Greece - following the Domes of Elounda in 2015 - with the Noruz Domes Chania in 2016, the Academias Hotel in Athens in 2019, the Domes of Corfu in 2021 and the Monastery Hotel in Thessaloniki in 2022, followed by the Domes Aulus Zante.
Greek hotel chains
Turning to Greek brands, the Sani / Ikos Group is the first international luxury chain of Greek origin.
Moreover, Domes Resorts, which was founded in Greece, has become an international chain.
Finally, HIG Capital was launched through Inventio's local partner, Ella Resorts, and has expressed the intention to expand internationally.
Source: GBR Consulting
