Catalonia Hotels & Resorts has reached an agreement with Meridia, the Spanish alternative investment manager, for the acquisition of two new assets: a four-star hotel in Malaga and another four-star superior hotel located in the centre of Barcelona.
With these additions, the chain now has its third establishment in Malaga in less than two years and a total of 30 hotels in the city of Barcelona, consolidating its position as the chain with the largest presence in the Catalan capital. This expansion is part of Catalonia’s commitment to strengthening its portfolio with strategic, high-quality assets, thereby contributing to its position as a benchmark in the sector at the national level.
Manuel Valenzuela, General Business Director, emphasises that ‘the purchase of these two hotels is in line with Catalonia’s new strategic plan. They are high-quality establishments, leaders in their cities and with excellent customer ratings, whose integration strengthens our model and the company’s expansion. This operation reinforces the chain’s sustainable growth strategy in two key destinations in the domestic market.’
New acquisitions in Malaga and Barcelona
In Malaga, Catalonia Hotels & Resorts has acquired a 4-star, 103-room establishment located in the historic centre of Malaga, next to the Cathedral and a few steps from the sea. The hotel has been renamed Catalonia Molina Lario and features a gourmet restaurant, rooftop bar, swimming pool, solarium and the best views of the city, private parking and meeting rooms. The chain acquired its first establishment in the city, the Catalonia Málaga, in 2024 and this year opened its second hotel, the Catalonia Puerta del Mar, also located in the city centre.
In Barcelona, the chain has acquired the 4-star superior Gallery Hotel, located in the Quadrat d’Or district of Barcelona’s Eixample neighbourhood, in the heart of the city, on Carrer Rosellón between Paseo de Gracia and Rambla Cataluña. The hotel has direct access to the gardens of the Palau Robert and is just a few metres away from the city’s great modernist works, such as La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. It has 110 rooms, a gourmet restaurant, a rooftop with a swimming pool, solarium and bar, a gym with sauna, meeting and event rooms, and has been renamed Catalonia Boulevard. It becomes the chain’s 30th hotel in the city, reinforcing Catalonia’s position as the leader in the Barcelona hotel market with nearly 3,200 rooms.
Catalonia Hotels & Resorts, an expanding chain
Over the last two years, the company has accelerated its growth with new openings and acquisitions both in Spain and internationally. During this period, it has entered the Malaga market with three establishments, expanded its presence in Barcelona with three new additions, opened its eighth hotel in Madrid and acquired its first resort in Jamaica. These operations add more than 1,200 new rooms to its global offering and reaffirm Catalonia’s commitment to strengthening its presence in strategic destinations, under a model of asset-based, sustainable growth focused on excellence.
At the same time, the company continues to make progress on the construction of its first resort in Zanzibar and with plans for a third hotel in Ronda.
Federico Holzmann, Global Head of Real Estate, states that “Catalonia Hotels & Resorts reaffirms its commitment to solid and sustainable growth with the acquisition of these two new hotels, strengthening its leadership in Spain and projecting its global presence. Our asset-based strategy, based on the purchase of assets and rental operations, allows us to move forward solidly in key markets and continue to explore international destinations such as Africa and the Indian Ocean. We are growing with a long-term vision, creating value and consolidating our position as a benchmark in the sector.”
Upcoming openings
The Catalonia Grand Zanzibar All Suites & Spa is scheduled to open next year. With a 5* rating, it is the chain’s first hotel on the African continent. It will be the second Catalonia Grand after Costa Mujeres in Mexico, establishments that are positioned in the highest segments of the market and offer unique experiences and extraordinary levels of quality. The project aims to position the resort as a benchmark in the destination, with premium facilities and an extensive, innovative and carefully curated gastronomic offering.
In the urban segment, the chain’s third hotel in Ronda is in the pipeline, with a premium location in a historic building in the city. It will be the chain’s tenth hotel in Andalusia, consolidating its presence in the autonomous community.
About CATALONIA HOTELS & RESORTS
Catalonia Hotels & Resorts is a hotel chain with more than 40 years of experience. It has 82 hotels and resorts in more than 25 destinations around the world. It has a strong presence in Spain and in several European cities. The holiday division comprises 10 resorts in the Caribbean (1 in Jamaica, 4 in the Dominican Republic and 5 in Mexico) and hotels in the Canary Islands, Majorca, Minorca and Ibiza.
This year, the chain was honoured at the Booking Travel Awards with the most special award of the edition: ‘Most welcoming chain in Spain’. This award, presented in May by Booking.com, is based on the experience of millions of users of the travel portal and more than 360 million verified comments on its platform. This recognition highlights the dedication and hard work of the entire team in offering the best experience to its guests.
Its establishments stand out for their excellent value for money, strategic locations, innovative cuisine and friendly, personalised and customer-focused service. The chain also remains committed to responsible tourism, minimising its environmental impact and promoting ethical and transparent practices in all its operations.
Source: ALFABETIKO Communication, PR & Marketing