H Hotels eyes GCC, international expansion

H Hotels & Resorts is targeting up to 30 hotels in the GCC, Europe and Africa in the next five years, according to its CEO Claudio Capaccioli.

“We are working on the branding exercise – the idea is to have the H Hospitality Collection and under it will be H Hotels and CentreVille, our four-star brand,” said the incoming CEO, who was appointed in January.

“We are looking at growing our own brands and considering franchising and licensing, the idea is to build a hospitality platform.”

Other plans comprise the expansion of the five-star Villa Diyafa in Rabat from 10 to 40 rooms in the next 18 months. A loyalty programme is in the pipeline and talks are underway with airlines.

The universal growth in digital affects the industry across the board but Capaccioli believes the biggest impact will be felt in the middle and lower segments.

“In these hotels if you can reduce human capital then technology will for sure take their place. Business travellers want fast check-in and check-out, and wifi – they don’t mind if they use a machine. But when you get into the five-star segment, the human touch will always prevail.”

That said, the H Dubai has a concierge WhatsApp service that it uses to communicate with guests before and during their stay and smart TVs which allow them to check their bills.

H Dubai’s business class package offers beverages and snacks in the H Bar from 6pm-7pm; breakfast in Eat & Meat restaurant; business centre services; free teas, coffee and water; 20 per cent off spa treatments; in-room amenities; and 9am check-in and 3pm check-out (Dhs250 per room per day).

Capaccioli is keen to take H Hotels & Resorts to the “next level”, growing its existing brands and making it “a trusted partner for REITs, developers, institutional funds and private Investors”.