Key Takeaways
- • Accor and The Corinthia Group, which trades as IHI plc, signed an agreement on October 28, 2026 to bring Verdi Hotels into Accor's Handwritten Collection brand.
- • Five Verdi hotels in Malta, Portugal and Tunisia will join Handwritten Collection under franchise agreements from November 2026, with two further properties planned in Hungary and the Czech Republic.
- • Verdi Hotels' management platform gains access to Accor's global distribution, marketing and loyalty programmes, while the Corinthia brand remains fully independent.
- • Handwritten Collection, launched in 2023, has more than 50 hotels in 22 countries and a pipeline of 58 hotels worldwide, according to the announcement.
Summary
Accor, the Paris-listed hospitality group, and The Corinthia Group, a hospitality and real estate investment firm trading as IHI plc, announced on October 28, 2026 that they have signed an agreement to bring Verdi Hotels into the Handwritten Collection brand. The announcement was issued from Floriana, Malta via PRNewswire-PRWeb.
Under the collaboration, five Verdi hotels in Malta, Portugal and Tunisia will join Handwritten Collection under a franchise agreement beginning November 2026. The initial properties are Verdi Gżira Promenade and Verdi St. George's Bay Marina in Malta, Verdi Dragonara (formerly the Vivaldi Hotel) in Malta, Verdi Tunis Beach Resort in Tunisia, and Verdi Santarém in Portugal. Plans also call for two additional properties in Hungary and the Czech Republic. According to the Q&A accompanying the release, further opportunities are being explored in additional European markets.
Verdi Hotels was launched by IHI plc in 2024 as a distinct upscale management platform operating independently of the luxury Corinthia brand. The company states it currently operates seven properties across Europe and North Africa. Through the agreement, Verdi's management platform will gain access to Accor's global distribution, marketing and loyalty programmes. Corinthia CEO Simon Naudi said the Corinthia brand's global growth focus "remains undiminished and entirely independent," while Verdi will benefit from Accor's marketing reach. Paul Pisani, President of Verdi Hotels, said the relationship would add value and support growth in new destinations.
Philippe Bijaoui, Chief Development Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy for Accor in Europe and North Africa, described the partnership as an important step in Accor's growth ambition, citing the aim to accelerate growth and create sustainable value for both parties.
Handwritten Collection, launched in 2023, brings together independent hotels with distinct character and is part of Accor's ALL Accor booking and loyalty ecosystem. The brand reports more than 50 hotels in 22 countries and a pipeline of 58 hotels. Accor, which operates more than 5,800 properties across more than 110 countries, is included in the CAC 40 index.
Under the collaboration, five Verdi hotels in Malta, Portugal and Tunisia will join Handwritten Collection under a franchise agreement beginning November 2026. The initial properties are Verdi Gżira Promenade and Verdi St. George's Bay Marina in Malta, Verdi Dragonara (formerly the Vivaldi Hotel) in Malta, Verdi Tunis Beach Resort in Tunisia, and Verdi Santarém in Portugal. Plans also call for two additional properties in Hungary and the Czech Republic. According to the Q&A accompanying the release, further opportunities are being explored in additional European markets.
Verdi Hotels was launched by IHI plc in 2024 as a distinct upscale management platform operating independently of the luxury Corinthia brand. The company states it currently operates seven properties across Europe and North Africa. Through the agreement, Verdi's management platform will gain access to Accor's global distribution, marketing and loyalty programmes. Corinthia CEO Simon Naudi said the Corinthia brand's global growth focus "remains undiminished and entirely independent," while Verdi will benefit from Accor's marketing reach. Paul Pisani, President of Verdi Hotels, said the relationship would add value and support growth in new destinations.
Philippe Bijaoui, Chief Development Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy for Accor in Europe and North Africa, described the partnership as an important step in Accor's growth ambition, citing the aim to accelerate growth and create sustainable value for both parties.
Handwritten Collection, launched in 2023, brings together independent hotels with distinct character and is part of Accor's ALL Accor booking and loyalty ecosystem. The brand reports more than 50 hotels in 22 countries and a pipeline of 58 hotels. Accor, which operates more than 5,800 properties across more than 110 countries, is included in the CAC 40 index.
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