Pan Pacific Hotels ( Singapore ), Jin Jiang International ( Shanghai ) and Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts . “ So that ’ s what we focus on .”
Kempinski had 79 hotels and residences with some 25,000 rooms under operation in early November of 2021 , and has a pipeline that will increase the property count to 99 in the not-too-distant future . The pipeline includes a hotel on the corniche in Tel Aviv set for a March opening , which Schroeder believes will deliver the highest rate in the city . Deals are also being struck in the world ’ s hottest market , The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .
Schroeder eschews growth for growth ’ s sake and wants to stick to projects that will maintain profitability . The five-year plan revised this year calls for reaching roughly 120 hotels – perhaps three new hotel deals a year , and mostly , if not all , managed . He definitely wants to move into the U . S . after a failed New York City deal from the previous regime , and knows he needs boots on the ground there to explore his preferred markets on the East Coast .
“ I think we need a strategic partner with the same vision ,” Schroeder says about U . S . expansion . “ It doesn ’ t have to be big . You can enter a city with 150 rooms , but we have to be very careful not to go to the wrong destination . So , if we can get to New York , or Washington , or Boston or Miami , I think we clearly can deliver .”
Schroeder is also bullish on residential development and even serviced apartments for the luxury market . “ Today , when you look at serviced apartments , it ’ s all family business , and so much medical business , too … This has been
traditionally more in the midscale and upscale sectors , but I think there is an opportunity in the luxury space .”
Since well-positioned resorts tend to be more profitable due to their higher average rates , Schroeder also wants to increase the Kempinski footprint outside urban destinations , and points to a recent deal to develop three lodges in Tanzania . “ We ’ re also looking for a beach resort there . So , guests can do the entire circuit , staring with the three lodges and then go to the beach .”
He also sees deals that don ’ t quite fit the luxury Kempinski ideal , so rather than seeing these deals going to someone else , Schroeder would like to consider a brand extension in the upscale segment . “ I think we have our own solution . So that ’ s something we are playing with , but I don ’ t want to announce it just yet .” Lastly and naturally , Schroeder points to organic growth with daily optimization of the current profile .
STRAIGHT TALK Schroeder considers himself a very relationship-driven leader , believing in honest conversations with all stakeholders to address challenges and opportunities . “ We are small and can spend more time with our owners . With Kempinski , you are really somebody special …
Kempinski opened three properties during the pandemic , including the Kempinski Jinan in China and most recently the Kempinski Palace Engelberg in Switzerland . ( below )
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