(Posted 17th September 2024)
· Expands presence in Norway, the UAE, Malaysia & Greece
· Adds 32 hotels to the GHA portfolio
· Mix of resort and city hotels reaffirm GHA’s leadership in upscale and luxury positioning
Four new prestigious regional hotel brands have joined the fast-growing Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), expanding its presence in some of the world’s most popular tourism destinations.
Unike Hotels in Norway, Sunway Hotels & Resorts in Malaysia, Andronis in Greece, and Paramount Hotels in the UAE add 32 properties to the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands, enriching its diverse portfolio with a mix of city and resort hotels that cater to the preferences of a wide range of travellers.
This expansion provides the 28 million members of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme with even more choice of unique properties in sought-after leisure destinations, from remote islands to vibrant metropolitan hubs.
Unike Hotels – Norway
Known for its charming collection of properties across Norway, Unike Hotels brings a distinctive Scandinavian touch to the GHA portfolio. Each hotel in the Unike group is a unique reflection of its local environment, offering guests a blend of modern comfort and traditional Norwegian hospitality. In just a few years, Unike Hotels has grown to become a hospitality industry success with a collection of 17 exclusive hotels in sought-after locations across the country. Like pearls on a delicate string they span from Bergen, through mountains and fjords at Leikanger Hotel and into the deep forests at Rømskog Spa, all the way down to Utsikten Hotel in southern Norway.
Sunway Hotels & Resorts – Malaysia
Sunway Hotels & Resorts, the hospitality division of Malaysian conglomerate Sunway Group, manages 11 hotels and resorts, offering GHA DISCOVERY members a wide range of choice in Malaysia, as well as the increasingly popular Asian cities of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Hanoi, Vietnam. Sunway’s Malaysia properties are known for their prime locations and excellent amenities, highlighted at three iconic hotels in Sunway City Kuala Lumpur – Asia’s leading fully-integrated premier hospitality, entertainment, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination. They include the luxury five-star Sunway Resort Hotel a favourite among family vacationers and business travellers. Sunway also extends its presence to Penang, with a property located in the heart of UNESCO-listed George Town, as well as The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat in Ipoh – a luxurious wellness retreat surrounded by lush rainforests, limestone hills, hot springs, and natural caves, offering holistic experiences which makes it popular for dream weddings.
Andronis – Greece
Andronis brings to GHA an exquisite collection of boutique hotels on two popular islands in the Aegean Sea – Santorini and Paros. Synonymous with luxury and elegance, and offering unique wellness and dining experiences, each overlooks the Aegean Sea. Perfect for travellers seeking romantic getaways and seaside escapes, properties range from the flagship Andronis Luxury Suites on Santorini, with just 33 villas and suites perched on a cliff and a restaurant hailed by National Geographic for its stunning location, to the Andronis Minois on Paros, offering transformational stays for guests of all ages.
Paramount Hotels – Dubai
Paramount Hotels introduces Hollywood glamour and cinematic experiences to GHA DISCOVERY, offering members two signature properties in one of the world’s most dynamic city destinations. Paramount Hotel Dubai, located in the vibrant Business Bay, exudes timeless elegance with film-inspired design, luxurious themed and characterised suites, and world-class dining, ideal for both leisure and business travellers. Meanwhile, Paramount Hotel Midtown, also in the Business Bay district, is envisaged as an artistic retreat with a focus on wellness and creativity, featuring breathtaking views, chic interiors, and a rooftop infinity pool. Both hotels embody the essence of Hollywood’s Golden Age, providing an unforgettable, star-studded stay.
“The addition of these four regional independent hotel brands provides our 28 million GHA DISCOVERY members with an even greater choice of unique destination experiences. Each brand brings its own distinct character, appealing to growing traveller appetite for enriching stays in upscale and luxury properties, whether for culture and heritage, wellness and relaxation, or family fun and connection,” said GHA CEO Chris Hartley. “The integration of Unike Hotels, Sunway Hotels & Resorts, Andronis and Paramount Hotels into GHA DISCOVERY will also generate significant growth opportunities through the platform, enhancing cross-brand activity and revenue for all GHA hotel brands.”
Expansion punctuates a landmark year for GHA as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. Since it was established in 2004, GHA has grown into a collection of 40 brands with more than 800 hotels, resorts and palaces in 100 countries, all supported by GHA DISCOVERY. First launched in 2010, and reimagined in 2021, this loyalty programme now serves 28 million members worldwide, generating $2.3 billion in revenue and 10 million room nights (as of 2023).
Other recent milestones include the 2023 launch of Green Collection, empowering members to make conscious travel choice; new partnerships forged with ultra-luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises in July 2023 and vacation rental platform Plum Guide in March this year.
