the niu Crusoe — Photo by NOVUM Hospitality
niu Air, Frankfurt — Photo by NOVUM Hospitality
the niu Crusoe — Photo by NOVUM Hospitality
the niu Crusoe — Photo by NOVUM Hospitality
niu Air, Frankfurt — Photo by NOVUM Hospitality
niu Air, Frankfurt — Photo by NOVUM Hospitality
NIU by NOVUM

In the first quarter of 2020, the Hamburg-based hotel group NOVUM Hospitality has opened not one but two hotels of their young lifestyle brand the niu in Germany: the niu Air in Frankfurt and the niu Crusoe in Bremen. While the niu Air - the largest hotel of the niu brand to date - boasts 344 rooms and is located in close proximity to Frankfurt's former airport near Rebstockpark, the niu Crusoe offers 153 guestrooms and is situated right next to Bremen airport.

Thanks to their unique interior design, both the niu Air and the niu Crusoe tell stories inspired by their neighbourhood. Wanderlust plays an important role in both hotels: With its jungle-like decor, the niu Crusoe is reminiscent of Robinson Crusoe and his thirst for adventure and exploring the world. With tubular design elements and image motifs, the niu Air represents the history of aviation. David Etmenan, Chief Executive Officer & Owner NOVUM Hospitality is convinced of the success of both hotels, "With these openings we are launching our 18th and 19th the niu hotels in two promising locations at the same time. We are more than pleased to be able to offer further innovative accommodation to future guests in the vibrant and historic cities of Frankfurt and Bremen. While we are celebrating our brand debut in Bremen, the niu Air is the second the niu branded hotel that we are opening in Frankfurt."

Innovative technology and charitable art times two

Typically the niu, two street artists were commissioned to further design the inside walls of the hotel as part of the cooperation between Novum Hospitality and the association Viva con Agua e.V. Inside the niu Air, murals of popular street artist Joséphine Sagna can be found. The acclaimed artist Kill Beef embellished the walls inside the niu Crusoe. The proceeds from this partnership will contribute to ensuring that people worldwide receive access to clean drinking water.

In the rooms flat screen TVs with mirroring function, a digital media library and Bluetooth speakers await the guests. The hotel bar serves drinks and bar food around the clock. Taner Isik (35) hotel manager of the niu Air and Lars Schwarze (37) hotel manager of the niu Crusoe are certain not only that there is a clear demand for new hotel rooms in both locations, but also that both hotels meet the needs of modern travellers.

International partnerships

Frankfurt's the niu Air was developed in cooperation with the renowned company GBI AG and has meanwhile been handed over to the Dubai-based Select Group as the new international owner and end investor. "The potential of this area at Rebstockpark, which is regarded as the gateway to the heavily frequented exhibition grounds, is huge," says Clemens Jung, Managing Director at GBI Holding AG. He adds: "Constructing a building at such an ideal hotel location was great fun, as was working with an innovative and creative brand like the niu." Ali Hossain, Director Strategic Investments Select Group comments: "the niu brand addresses an underserved market segment and Novum Hospitality has proven itself to be a very capable operator. We are proud to play a small part of this developing success story with the opening of the niu Air Frankfurt, the largest niu hotel to date in the Novum Hospitality portfolio." Israr Liaqat, Chief Financial Officer Select Group adds: "A fantastic midscale product. Having stayed at the niu Air Frankfurt, I can firmly understand why the brand has gone from strength to strength and look forward to finding additional markets in which we might be able to partner with Novum Hospitality."

Uwe Hellendahl and Claus-Henning Tillner, now COLCAP, acted as transaction advisors for the sale of the Frankfurt property to the Select Group. The company supports various well-known international investors with their real estate investments in Europe.

The owner and developer of the niu Crusoe in Bremen is the successful family business Peper & Söhne. "We are thrilled to see this high-quality and architectonically valuable building 'taking up work' and look forward to continue working closely with Novum Hospitality," say Nico Grutzpalk, Director Construction Project Management & Authorised Officer and Wojtek Herder, Construction Project Manager Peper & Söhne.

About the NOVUM Hospitality

With currently 151 hotels and over 17,000 hotel rooms at over 65 locations in Europe, the family-managed NOVUM Hospitality is one of the largest hotel groups in Germany. Founded in 1988 and on a steady growth curve since 2004, NOVUM Hospitality – under the management of CEO David Etmenan – is extraordinarily dynamic. The hotel portfolio comprises three and four-star hotels, all in central locations, which are run under the brands NOVUM Hotels, Select Hotels and niu. In addition, NOVUM Hospitality operates as a franchisee of the InterContinental Hotels Group, AccorHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts und Choice Hotels.

Norah Lewerentz
+49 40 600 808 273
NOVUM Hospitality