International hospitality group Accor and Corinthia Group, a company specialising in hotel and real estate investments operating under the name International Hotel Investments plc (IHI plc), have entered into a strategic partnership. At the centre of the agreement is the phased integration of the upscale hotel brand Verdi Hotels into the portfolio of Accor's Handwritten Collection.
Operational rollout will begin in November 2026. Initially, five established properties in Malta, Portugal and Tunisia will join the collection through franchise agreements. In a subsequent phase, the addition of two further hotel properties in Hungary and the Czech Republic is planned. The Verdi Hotels brand was established by IHI plc only in 2024 as an independent management platform in the upscale segment and operates structurally separate from the primary brand Corinthia, which is positioned in the luxury tier.
Economies of scale and locations of the initial portfolio
Through the link with Accor, Verdi's operating company gains access to the major group's worldwide distribution channels as well as its established marketing and loyalty programmes. Founded in 2023, the Handwritten Collection currently comprises more than 50 properties across 22 countries, with a further 58 assets in the development pipeline. The concept aims to combine the individuality of independent properties with the distribution power of a global hotel group.
The initial portfolio, which will be operated under the joint umbrella from late 2026, comprises five properties in strategic destinations across the Mediterranean and Southern Europe:
- —Verdi Gżira Promenade (Malta): Located on Marsamxett Harbour directly on the seafront promenade of Gżira, with links to Maltese business and leisure districts.
- —Verdi St. George's Bay Marina and Verdi Dragonara (Malta): Two properties in St. Julian's, including the hotel formerly run as the Vivaldi Hotel on the Dragonara headland overlooking the coast.
- —Verdi Tunis Beach Resort (Tunisia): Property on the Mediterranean coast of the Côtes de Carthage near the Tunisian capital.
- —Verdi Santarém (Portugal): Hotel location in the historic city of Santarém north of Lisbon in the traditional cultural region of Ribatejo.
Strategic alignment of the partners
According to Simon Naudi, Chief Executive Officer of Corinthia Group, the global expansion of the luxury brand Corinthia remains unaffected by this step and will continue entirely independently. However, the future development of the secondary brand Verdi will benefit significantly from the reach of the Accor network. Paul Pisani, President of Verdi Hotels, emphasised that the collaboration would enhance the operational value of the properties and facilitate expansion into new locations.
On Accor's side, Philippe Bijaoui, Chief Development Officer Europe & North Africa for the Premium, Midscale and Economy divisions, highlighted the strategic importance of the alliance. He stated that connecting the Verdi management platform with Accor's loyalty programme and brand ecosystem is designed to unlock new growth potential, accelerate the pace of expansion and generate long-term added value for both corporate groups.
