- Agreement with Faranda Hotels sees the addition of eight properties across Spain, comprising more than 700 rooms.
- The properties will be integrated throughout 2024 and 2025, under the Choice Hotels upscale brand Ascend Hotel Collection.
- These properties are conveniently located in or close to major secondary cities, providing more options for Choice Hotels’ guests.
Amsterdam, 2024-Nov-01 — /Travel PR News/ — Choice Hotels EMEA and Faranda Hotels & Resorts have signed a new long-term strategic agreement that will see Choice Hotels expand its Spanish portfolio through the addition of eight properties, comprising more than 700 rooms.
All hotels will join under the Ascend Hotel Collection, with the first six hotels open for bookings, including Faranda’s new flagship hotel – Faranda Hotel Rias Altas, Ascend Hotel Collection in A Coruña. It is one of the city’s most iconic hotels, the only one located directly on the beachfront, and has undergone a complete renovation offering new guest experiences including a pizzeria and water sports club.
Two further hotels are currently undergoing full refurbishment and are expected to open in Summer 2025. With support from Choice Hotels, Faranda is currently embarking on a program to refurbish and update the properties to implement Choice Hotels’ Ascend Hotel Collection brand hallmarks.
The hotels are spread across Spain’s northern provinces Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria, located in key cities such as A Coruna, Santiago de Compostela, Gijon, and Santander. Catering to a range of guests, they include: Faranda Rias Altas, Faranda Marsol Candas, Faranda Hotel Pathos Gijon, Faranda Alisas Santander, Faranda Los Tilos, Faranda Torrelavega, Faranda Las Lomas and, y Hotel Ciudad Ponferrada.
Commenting on the agreement David Beers, CEO of Choice Hotels EMEA said: ”Extending our existing collaboration with Faranda Hotels is another great step in line with our international expansion strategy. Spain is a key market for Choice Hotels EMEA and through this agreement, we will see the Ascend Hotel Collection expand significantly across Spain in the coming months. We look forward to continuing to expand our presence in the country over the coming years and are equally excited to work closely with Faranda Hotels to consider other opportunities that align with our joint growth strategies.”
Carlos Fernández, Chief Commercial Officer, Faranda Hotels & Resorts said “After the efficient results achieved alongside Choice Hotels in Latin America, we firmly believe that this new phase of collaboration in Spain is a natural step to strengthen our alliance. Our 40-plus-year history in hospitality in Spain perfectly complements Choice’s vision, and together, we look forward to growing further and offering memorable experiences at each of our hotels.”
Faranda Hotels & Resorts will convert and manage these new hotels in collaboration with Choice Hotels, benefiting from Choice’s leading franchise network, which includes cutting-edge cloud-based solutions such as the choiceEDGE guest reservation platform. This platform helps franchisees effectively manage room rates, distribution channels, and inventory. Additionally, Choice University, the most awarded learning program in the hospitality industry, provides personalized and continuously evolving learning and development resources.
All the new properties will participate in the global and award-winning rewards program, Choice Privileges, enabling over 66 million members to earn and redeem points at hotels in 46 countries & territories worldwide.
This new agreement in Spain extends the existing franchise relationship between Choice Hotels and Faranda Hotels in South America, which will now comprise 22 hotels with nearly 2,400 rooms with Choice Hotels and Faranda aiming to further grow in Spain.
Choice Hotels EMEA is focused on strategic growth across the region, which currently counts nearly 400 open hotels located in 17 countries across 4 hotel brands including Ascend Hotel Collection, Clarion, Comfort, and Quality.
For further information, please contact: Katie Kershaw at Kershaw and Company 07539 437 238 / katie@kershawandcompany.com
Notes to Editors
*The Radisson brands outside of the Americas are owned by Radisson Hotel Group, an unaffiliated company headquartered in Belgium, and are not eligible for participation. WoodSpring Suites® locations are not participating in Choice Privileges. At locations in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden customers can only redeem (not earn) Choice Privileges points.
About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels EMEA™ is represented under the Ascend Hotel Collection™, Clarion™, Quality™, Comfort™ and Sleep Inn® brands, in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland, the Nordics, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. With nearly 7,500 hotels, representing more than 630,000 rooms, in 45 countries and territories, the diverse Choice® portfolio of hotel brands provides business and leisure travellers with a range of high-quality lodging options from limited service to full-service hotels in the upper upscale, upper midscale, to midscale, extended stay, and economy segments. The award-winning Choice Privileges® rewards program and co-brand credit card options provide members with a fast and easy way to earn reward nights and personalised perks. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com.
About Faranda Hotels
Faranda Hotels & Resorts, founded by the Fernández family, has been a reference in the hospitality industry since the 1970s. With over 40 years of experience in the sector, the company has grown steadily, expanding its presence both in Spain and several Latin American countries. Over the decades, Faranda has developed various business lines within the hotel industry, solidifying its reputation as a symbol of quality and authentic hospitality.
Its trajectory is characterized by solid and strategic growth, always focused on offering unique and personalized experiences to its guests. Faranda’s current portfolio includes iconic hotels in northern Spain, such as in Galicia, Asturias, and Cantabria, in addition to a strong presence in Latin America. Each of its properties reflects the company’s commitment to excellence and customer service, positioning it as a leader in the hotel sector, both in local and international markets.
Forward-Looking Statement
This communication includes “forward-looking statements” about future events, including anticipated hotel openings and a brand refresh for the regional brand portfolio of Choice Hotels EMEA. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including construction delays, availability and cost of financing, acceptance of brands, and the other “Risk Factors” described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q of Choice Hotels International, Inc., any of which could cause actual results to be materially different from our expectations.
