A star destination for vacations under the sun, Spain is also a major economy that in the recent past experienced exponential growth. Spain’s hotel groups built their success on these two essential trends, but without always taking care to study the evolution of markets and their ability to absorb the supply. The sin of pride led them into debt and to rely on real estate promotion. And now they are paying for it. And yet a new generation of creative hoteliers is offering new packages inspired by “Cheap & Chic” and low-cost concepts that are successful in Western Europe. The openness onto the world, outside Spain’s frontiers, motivates those that still have the means and want to balance their portfolio. “Sol y Sombra”, Light and shadow are dancing across an ever-changing landscape, should the financial crisis continue.Enrique Sarasola, Olympic equestrian and son of a renowned industrialist, went into association 6 years ago with Carlos Marrero and Gorka Atorrasagasti to create a sensation with Room Mate Hotels. “It all started with a postulate: 5* hotels are much too expensive for guests who wish to discover a city, have fun and spend a limited amount of time in their room. Result: a cheap, chic and trendy concept," explains “Kike" – as his friends know him. All different, small, very modern or very classic, created by the best designers, each hotel has a first name: Mauro, Oscar, Alicia, Laura – as if it were a friend hosting you in the city. The Room Mate siblings now have 15 members that are mostly converted old buildings managed in renal contracts. With this powerful concept, the group has experienced no crisis. Kike Sarasola has just concluded a second turn around the table conclure un deuxième tour de table with the arrival of Rosalia Mera. The...