The hotel group Accor is further expanding its portfolio in the German market. In cooperation with Hamburg's B&L Gruppe, two existing properties in Hildesheim and Saarbrücken are being repositioned and will be operated under the Mercure and ibis Styles brands under long-term franchise agreements from 2 November 2026. With these two conversions, the group is strengthening its market position in the economy and midscale segments.
Growth trajectory via rebrandings and existing asset acquisitions
The integration of the two properties forms part of Accor's strategic expansion in Germany, where 30 further hotels are currently in the development pipeline. Conversions and rebrandings are gaining significant weight in this context, as they provide owners with direct access to established brand structures and the global distribution and loyalty platform ALL Accor.
Yannick Wagner, Deputy Chief Development Officer for Accor in Europe and North Africa as well as Managing Director for Germany, points out that Germany remains a central key market. Partnerships with experienced market players such as B&L Gruppe make it possible to select the precise positioning required for different properties and destinations.
Property details for the hotels in Lower Saxony and Saarland
The future Mercure Hildesheim Center comprises 150 guest rooms and is situated directly by the central railway station, not far from the historic old town with its UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Cathedral and St Michael's. In addition to rapid connections to the Hanover exhibition grounds, the property offers three conference rooms as well as the Bistro.Lounge catering facility with 90 seats for business travellers and conference delegates.
In Saarbrücken, the ibis Styles Saarbrücken Center is being created in a central city-centre location close to the central railway station. The hotel features 202 units, including 20 four-bed rooms with bunk beds. An open lobby concept with a breakfast area and a 160-seat bar shapes the floor plan, whilst the design scheme is defined by clean lines in shades of grey, brown and black.
- —Mercure Hildesheim Center: 150 rooms, three conference rooms, bar with 90 seats
- —ibis Styles Saarbrücken Center: 202 rooms, including 20 four-bed rooms, bar with 160 seats
- —Network joining date for both properties: effective 2 November 2026
- —Project framework: continuation of the partnership, which also includes three properties in Hamburg's ÜberseeQuartier
Thorsten Testorp, Managing Partner of B&L Gruppe, underlines the precise fit of the chosen concepts for the respective locations. While Mercure gives the Hildesheim hotel a clear profile in the upper-midscale segment, ibis Styles provides the property on the Saarland border with a contemporary, design-oriented direction. Both partners are already connected through joint hotel projects in Hamburg's ÜberseeQuartier.
