Zeus International Developing into Premium Hospitality Brand
Zeus International, a specialized hotel management company in Greece, has announced its development into a premium hospitality brand, aiming to becoming a strong player in the international luxury resorts segment.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday during a press event in Athens, Zeus International President and CEO Haris Siganos informed that the company is currently in the process of wrapping up investments of 150 million euros as part of its strategic expansion plan.
The investments, carried out over the last six years, include the addition of new assets to the company’s hospitality portfolio and a number of renovation projects in its hotels.
“We aim to offer unforgettable getaways focusing on comfort, enjoyment, well-being and quality – key principles of a philosophy described by our motto ‘A Zeus experience’,” Siganos said.
Zeus International hit the hospitality scene in 2014, undertaking the operation, management and development of hotel projects and luxury hotel accommodation in Mediterranean and Eastern European destinations. Today the company boasts a portfolio of 21 luxury hotels and over 4,000 rooms, of which 1,000 are privately owned (seven hotels) in Greece and abroad; 1,800 are on long-term leases (all over 15 years); and 1,200 are under management in third-party properties.
The group’s hotels annually welcome over 1 million visitors, while the value of its hotel portfolio exceeds 1 billion euros.
2 flagship projects for 2023
“Zeus for 2023 aims for a turnover of 110 million euros, 25 percent up compared to 2022, and a gross operating profit (GOP) of 50 million euros,” Siganos told journalists while informing on the opening of two hotels this April: the new Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort in Halkidiki and the completely renovated Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay on Crete.
“These are two five-star resorts that unfold our new philosophy with their exceptional services,” he said, adding that Zeus aims to create an intimate environment for its guests: “a home away from home”.
Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort
The Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort is located in Agia Paraskevi, Halkidiki, on the Kassandra peninsula. It consists of 171 rooms, bungalows of 100 sq.m., suites of 150 sq.m. and villas over 220 sq.m. The amount of the investment, including the aqcuisition of the property, amounts to some 40 million euros.
According to Siganos, plans for the Ajul resort include the addition of another 89 premium rooms and villas with private pools and gardens in the fall, increasing the total number of rooms to 260. Following its revamp, the 5-star Ajul resort will be surrounded by five outdoor swimming pools, three restaurants, three bars, high-quality spa and fitness facilities, a playground and outdoor recreation facilities, two tennis courts, one basketball court and an area for beach volleyball.
“We will strive for the Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort to be one of the best resorts in Northern Greece,” Siganos said.
Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay
Siganos informed that the third and final phase of the full renovation of the five-star Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay resort in Lasithi will be completed in April.
The resort, owned by Zeus International, underwent a redesign in 2019 and was renovated in 2022 to modernize the rooms and upgrade the guest experience. Following the third renovation phase, which is wrapping up this spring, the resort will boast an additional 108 rooms and offer six new room categories, all with private pools.
Upon opening, the resort will have 318 rooms spanning the main building and bungalows and suites in its surrounding area referred to as the “Village”; 115 private swimming pools; a private marina (the largest within a hotel unit and privately owned on Crete); two private blue-flag beaches; a specially designed beach club with luxurious facilities; and four restaurants (Mediterranean and Cretan cuisine).
New hotel on Kos enters Zeus’ portfolio
Moreover, Zeus a few days ago acquired the Ammos Resort on Kos, which will operate as a 4-star hotel this season before being renovated into “one of the top hotels of Kos”.
According to Siganos, the idea of expanding the hotel on adjacent plots is being considered to increase its capacity from 114 to 260 rooms.
Athens Key Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Zeus International also opened another hotel in the center of the Greek capital, the five-star Athens Key Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham.
In operation since December 2022, the investment concerns the total renovation of the former 4-star Kaningos 21 hotel on Kaningos Square.
Owned by a Greek insurance fund, the hotel, which shut down in 2010, passed into the portfolio of Zeus International in 2019 following an open international tender. Zeus International was named the preferred investor and has leased the property for 30 years.
Having been transformed into a 5-star hotel after a 3.5-million-euro renovation, the property boasts 76 state-of-the-art single and double rooms and suites, with vintage-retro decoration and artistic touches in the common areas. The hotel includes a restaurant, a bar and a roof garden.
According to Siganos, occupancy at the Athens Key Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham is currently at 60 percent while it appeals to both the leisure and corporate travel market.
“The fact that the hotel attracts many business travelers since its opening is a pleasant surprise,” Siganos commented.
When asked about future plans, he highlighted that Zeus International will not stop its development either in Greece or in Europe.
Zeus International is a strategic partner and works closely with international chains such as Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
The group’s portfolio includes the Wyndham Grand Athens and the Wyndham Athens Residence on Karaiskaki Square; the Dolce Athens Attica Riviera in Vravrona; the Ramada Athens Attica Riviera in Nea Makri; the Cora Hotel & Spa Resort and AMMOA Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort in Halkidiki; the KoSea Boutique Hotel on Kos; the Eretria Hotel & Spa Resort; the Lazart Trademark Collection by Wyndham in Thessaloniki; and units in Cyprus, Italy and Romania.