Madrid, 24 March 2026 – Minor Hotels, a leading hotel owner and operator with a portfolio of 640 properties in 59 countries, announces the opening of a hotel under iStay Hotels by NH brand, in Berlin. With this project, the new midscale conversion brand– highly flexible, designed to adapt seamlessly to each market, asset and destination’s specific characteristics– of Minor Hotels adds its third property worldwide, following recent openings in Spain (Valencia and Zaragoza), further strengthening the brand’s international growth. The choice of the German capital responds to its status as a high demand market very dynamic with sustained activity across corporate, leisure, and MICE segments, positioning it as a strategic destination for launching the brand in Germany.
iStay by NH Berlin City Ost Hotel just opened its doors on 16th of March 2026. Located just steps from trendy Friedrichshain district and close to Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte, the hotel is surrounded by cafés, bars and cultural venues, City Centre Alexanderplatz is only 10 minutes by public transportation. The property features 99 including superior XL rooms with rain shower and Nespresso machine for an extra boost in the morning. Connecting rooms are ideal for families - and iStay Hotels by NH are pet friendly. Rossini Quattro, offers an Italian dining experience in a warm and cosy atmosphere. In addition, the "Spot Market" offers 24/7 Grab & Go options (as every iStay Hotel by NH) stocked with snacks, drinks and everyday essentials. The hotel offers a breakfast that’s simply spot-on: fresh pastries, fruits, eggs and coffee. Two functional and bright meeting rooms for up to 32 guests make business easy. High-speed Wi-Fi, modern tech and natural light keep ideas flowing.
This property reflects the philosophy behind iStay Hotels by NH, a brand conceived for urban hotels in strategic locations, offering a curated set of essential services with consistent quality standards. The brand’s focus is rooted in simplicity, efficiency and practical design, ensuring streamlined, affordable and hassle‑free stays backed by the trusted NH Hotels & Resorts seal, which already operates 34 hotels in Germany.
Strategic Evolution of Minor Hotels’ Growth Model
iStay Hotels by NH joins Minor Hotels’ existing portfolio of hotel brands – The Wolseley Hotels, Anantara, Minor Reserve Collection, Elewana Collection, Tivoli, NH Collection, nhow, Avani, NH and Oaks – and reflects the group’s commitment to offering its partners and guests a broader range of brand propositions, particularly in the fast-growing soft brand segment.
The opening aligns with the global growth strategy of Minor Hotels, reinforcing its “asset-right” approach: a flexible model combining ownership, lease, management, and franchise agreements depending on each market and project’s needs. Although the region has historically operated under a markedly asset-heavy profile, the group is progressing toward a more asset-light model, driving management and franchise contracts to accelerate growth and maximize capital efficiency. In this context, iStay Hotels by NH represents a highly attractive proposition for independent hotel owners seeking to join a system with strong competitive advantages, supported by the credibility and reach of an internationally recognized brand. To further advance this shift, in 2025 Minor Hotels launched three new soft brands specifically designed to strengthen its asset-light strategy across all segments: iStay by NH in the midscale category, Cobert Collection in the premium segment, and Minor Reserve Collection in the luxury segment.
A Strong Franchise Model for Owners and Investors
Minor Hotels’ franchise model offers owners and investors a highly competitive value proposition that combines operational independence with the support of a global commercial infrastructure. Franchisees benefit from Minor DISCOVERY loyalty program, which provides access to 34 million members contributing significantly to direct channel performance, as well as a robust distribution ecosystem integrating OTAs, GDS, metasearch engines, and travel agencies under preferential conditions to enhance visibility and profitability. The group’s commercial network, with more than 400 strategic agreements and commission rates up to 14% below the market average, generates direct savings for owners. Meanwhile, the Minor PRO B2B platform connects hotels with more than 390,000 SMEs, bringing recurring demand and reducing dependency on large corporations. Additionally, optional centralized procurement services and operational support enable economies of scale, along with access to advanced revenue management technology based on open pricing, capable of performing up to 1.8 million daily rate optimizations to capture real time demand. Altogether, these capabilities strengthen the competitiveness of each asset and position Minor Hotels as a solid, strategic partner for new generation franchise models.