Deutsche Hospitality has announced the signing of the first property to arrive in the Czech Republic under its Zleep Hotels brand. It continues the group’s expansion into new markets following its acquisition by Huazhu Group.

Due to open in 2024, the new Zleep Hotel Prague will be part of Penta Real Estate’s Waltrovka II development in the south west of the city. It’ll offer travellers an easy route into the old quarter of Prague, while also being within easy reach of Václav Havel Airport and public transport connections.

The hotel will form part of a mixed-use complex, alongside office, retail and residential units – along with two hectares of parkland green space. Inside, it’ll feature 166 rooms as well as a Scandinavian style-lobby, reception and snack bar.

The Zleep Hotel Prague is the latest in a selection of new properties planned for European markets by Deutsche Hospitality, with announced developments in Spain and Germany adding to the group’s pipeline and the wider aims to expand its portfolio.

An Eastern European first for Zleep

The Zleep Hotel Prague is seen by those involved in the project to be a good fit for Deutsche Hospitality and the city itself.

“This new location complements our portfolio perfectly,” said Thomas Willms, CEO, Deutsche Hospitality. “We are seeing considerable tourist demand in the Czech capital. The Zleep Hotel will provide a cost-effective option in a prime location for business and leisure travellers alike.”

“We are very much looking forward to establishing a first Eastern European presence for our economy brand in 2024,” added Robert Boller, Managing Director of Zleep Hotels GmbH. “With Penta Real Estate, we have found an outstanding partner as we seek to implement the Zleep Hotels concept within the context of an exciting and future-oriented real estate project in the Czech Republic’s largest city.”

David Musil, Residential and Hospitality Director at Penta Real Estate (part of the Penta Investments Group), said: “We are delighted to have secured such an innovative and dynamic brand as Zleep Hotels for the Waltrovka II project and are looking forward to entering into a long-term cooperation arrangement with Deutsche Hospitality, a renowned and international player in the hotel sector.”

Deutsche continues its global expansion

This signing in Prague is a further indication of how quickly Deutsche Hospitality is looking to build a global presence following its acquisition by Huazhu Group. Thomas Willms has previously spoken of the group’s plan to use the influence of its new Chinese owners to reach 500 properties in operation or under development by 2026 – and the ongoing growth of the Zleep brand will play a key role in achieving this goal.

Deutsche Hospitality first acquired Zleep Hotels in early 2019, adding an economy segment offering to its brand portfolio. Now, its aim is to bring the brand to new markets, helping the group to be more competitive across Europe especially.

Zleep Hotels currently has a collection of 12 hotels in Denmark and Sweden. The move into Prague (among others) shows just how much faith Deutsche has in the brand to attract guests globally.