The Ascott Limited is set to expand its European portfolio following the signing this week of franchise and management agreements for five new properties in Vienna, Austria and two in Seville, Spain.
The Singapore-based company said the signings mark a “significant milestone” in its ongoing European expansion, which will now include 64 properties (both operational and in development) across 26 cities in 10 countries.
The five properties in Vienna will add a total of 750 rooms for the company, where it already operates three properties: Citadines South Vienna, lyf Schönbrunn Vienna and Somerset Schönbrunn Vienna. Among the new openings will be a second lyf-branded hotel, which is set to open in late in 2026 with 150 rooms in the city's 15th district.
Meanwhile, the two Seville signings include a 250-room lyf hotel and a 120-room Somerset property. Both properties will be part of a 12.5-hectare mixed-use development, Lagoon City Seville, and will mark Ascott’s debut in the city.
Located 10 minutes from Seville’s city centre and scheduled to open at the end of 2028, the Lagoon City development also features a convention centre, 18,000-sqm lagoon, an 18-hole golf course, residential apartments and villas, as well as restaurants and bars.
Earlier this month, Ascott also opened the 140-room lyf Gambetta Paris, marking the brand’s entry into France.
Ascott CEO Kevin Goh said: “Europe is a cornerstone of Ascott’s global growth strategy, offering a resilient, high-yield market underpinned by strong tourism fundamentals and fragmented supply, where a significant portion of quality assets remain unbranded."
Along with its lyf, Somerset and Citadines serviced apartment brands, Ascott’s portfolio also includes Oakwood, Quest, The Unlimited Collection and The Crest Collection.