A number of new hotels were opened or joined the Steigenberger family in Germany under the brand name Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts (in Bremen and Braunschweig); internationally, new hotels were opened in Brussels (Belgium) and Madinat Makadi (Egypt). At Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof in Frankfurt/Main the guest rooms were refurbished and a large SPA was added, and Steigenberger Parkhotel in Düsseldorf was improved with new terraces, restaurants and guest rooms, following extensive modernisation work to provide contemporary comfort of the highest quality. Steigenberger Inselhotel in Constance re-opened in renewed splendour, in Switzerland, Steigenberger Grandhotel Belvédère re-opened in Davos, and Steigenberger Alpenhotel and Spa in Gstaad-Saanen. Steigenberger Hotel and Spa in Krems re-opened in Austria. In 2013 the Steigenberger Hotel Group also opened new, highly attractive InterCityHotels in Leipzig and Berlin, and refurbished five more in various German cities.

The Steigenberger Hotel Group is to maintain its expansion course in 2014. It has exciting new openings coming up for the Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts brand. The first of these will be in Beijing with "Hotel Maximilian" managed by Steigenberger, within the "Audi World" complex with Training Center and Showroom. That will be followed by another Steigenberger in Berlin, that is Steigenberger Hotel Am Kanzleramt (next to the Chancellery), and in Hurghada (Egypt). The InterCityHotel brand is also growing, with new hotels opening in 2014 in Hamburg, Ingolstadt and Duisburg, and in Enschede (Netherlands).

There will be plenty more new openings in the coming years, most of them abroad. Many of the contracts have already been signed.

The Supervisory Board also decided in its meeting to enlarge the Management Board, appointing Michel Novatin as Management Board member with responsibility for Operations, Sales and Marketing, from 1 January 2014. He comes from France/Alsace and was trained at the Hotel and Management School in Strasbourg and INSEAD Paris; he then gained practical experience in numerous international hotel companies, including positions at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Le Méridien Hotels, SBM Monte Carlo and Kempinski Hotels.

The enlargement of the Management Board will enable Chief Executive Officer Puneet Chhatwal to concentrate more on international expansion of this heritage hotel company, alongside his responsibility for Communications and Strategy. Matthias Heck will continue to be responsible for Human Resources, Finance, Accounting and Construction. "I am delighted that we can now enlarge the Board of the Steigenberger Hotels AG to include Mr Novatin. He will be a great enrichment, particularly in this phase of expansion, thanks to his many years of experience – he has a strong track record which is both international and exceptional," said Dr Ralf Corsten, Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

About H World International

H World International combines the strengths of seasoned brands with international hotel expertise. The company is represented in Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa, as well as in the Asia-Pacific region, and is advancing expansion with a balanced blend of lease, management, and franchise hotels. Nine unique brands are united under the umbrella of H Rewards – the consumer-focused and simple booking platform and unique loyalty program with more than 218 million members worldwide. H World International is part of H World, one of the world's largest and fastest growing hotel groups. Further information is available at int.hworld.com.

Steigenberger Icons are extraordinary hotels that combine unique historical value with modern concepts. Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels combine the distinctive Porsche Design Lifestyle with hospitality and service. At Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts, guests enjoy an unforgettable and top-class hotel experience. Jaz in the City is a lifestyle brand concentrating on music: always in sync, lively, and unique. House of Beats supports local heroes and is an innovative brand with an uncompromising community approach. IntercityHotel is synonymous with flexible mobility and central locations and offers high standards for design and comfort. Maxx stands for what is most important in the mid-scale range of the market. Zleep Hotels offer Danish design, quality, and Scandinavian simplicity at an affordable price. Ji Hotel serves guests with a reserved eastern aesthetic, well-designed technology, and plenty of room for individuality. Book your stay at hrewards.com.

Iris Kujas
Corporate Communications
+49 69/665 64-464
H World International