Early UK Success for Magnuson Hotels
Magnuson Hotels, the world’s largest independent hotel chain, has signed up 20 properties within the first two weeks of its official launch in the UK.
Magnuson Hotels, which represents more than 1,200 properties in North America, is targeting independently-owned hotels with 20-plus bedrooms with its ‘fee-free’ business model which allows the hotelier to retain their independence.
Magnuson Hotels joint CEO Thomas R. Magnuson said: “The response from independent hoteliers right across the UK has been just absolutely phenomenal and driven solely on word of mouth so far. The phones have been ringing non-stop. As well as having signed up 20 already we have a further 50 who have expressed serious interest”.
He continued, “For half of them, it will be the first time they have been represented online. The other half are Best Western members seeking higher reservation revenue, lower costs and more control over their hotel.”
Magnuson member hotels benefit from representation on the five major Global Distribution Systems as well as an enhanced online presence with distribution via more than 2,000 leading websites, including giant brands such as Expedia and Priceline. Unlike rival consortia, Magnuson does not impose fees or long-term contractual commitments on members. Hotels simply pay a commission on all bookings the company delivers, and hotels keep their own name.
Magnuson is set to step up marketing activity in the UK during the summer and will open a dedicated International office in London this September which will handle its European expansion.
Recent UK hotels to join with Magnuson:
- The Royal Oak Hotel in Betws-y-Coed, Snowdonia
- Healds Hall Hotel in Liversedge, West Yorkshire
- Donington Park Farmhouse Hotel in Isley Walton near Derby
- Oaklands Court in Norwich
- Symphony Craws Nest Hotel in Anstruther, Fife
- Palé Hall Hotel near Bala, Snowdonia
- Blue Rainbow Aparthotel in Edinburgh
- Blue Rainbow Aparthotel in Manchester
- Popinjay Hotel in Rosebank near Glasgow
Magnuson Hotels, headquartered in Spokane, WA, has become the world’s largest independent hotel group in only seven years, representing nearly 1,500 hotels and a combined affiliate base with assets in excess of $5 billion. One of the top 10 global hotel chains, Magnuson Hotels was the No. 1 hotel company of Inc. Magazine’s 2009 annual ranking of the 5,000 fastest growing privately owned U.S. companies. With a four-year reservation sales growth of 595%, Magnuson Hotels is listed in the top 100 U.S. business services companies. By providing low-cost access to the world’s largest reservation system, Magnuson Hotels has recently added more affiliate hotels with its franchise alternative than eight out of the top 10 branded hotel chains combined.