Leading hospitality group Accor said on June 27 that it signed an agreement to open a new Mercure hotel in Brasov, central Romania, under a franchise agreement with local hospitality partner ARO Palace. The contract targets the consolidation and complete makeover of the former Capitol Hotel Brasov, set to reopen in late 2025 as Mercure Brasov Center.

Located in the center of the city, the new hotel will have 181 rooms, including 28 suites, and six conference rooms. It will also feature an a-la-carte restaurant and a lobby bar.

“Joining hands with one of the largest and most prestigious hospitality players in Romania – ARO Palace, owned by Transilvania Investment – is a great opportunity and an honour for Accor. The partnership allows us to fulfil our mission of empowering local destinations to achieve their potential through superior standards of accommodation, personalized services and access to the immense strength of our global marketing and distribution network,” said Cătălina Toma, Accor Development Director for Romania, Bulgaria, and Moldova.

In his turn, Călin Ile, President of the Board of Directors, ARO Palace, said: “ARO Palace aims to complete all the steps related to obtaining the permits and selecting the suppliers that will implement the investment by the end of this year. The renovation will start in the first quarter of 2024 and involve not only the complete modernization of the space but also the addition of services that will allow a higher classification.”

The Mercure Hotels boasts a robust international network of more than 943 hotels in over 60 countries.

Accor is a leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5,400 properties, 10,000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities, or flexible workspaces. It comprises more than 40 hotel brands.

ARO Palace SA has been making history in Brasov for over 80 years, since the first of its hotels, ARO Palace Brasov, was inaugurated in 1939. In 2005, the hotel was modernized and upgraded to a 5-star standard, which it still maintains today.

irina.marica@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: the company)