In 2022, my favourite resort in Frankfurt closed. On the time the plan was for the property to not be used as a resort. Nicely, there’s a constructive replace, because it appears the property’s house owners have backtracked, and this might be reopening as a resort in 2024.
Villa Kennedy Frankfurt closed in April 2022
Villa Kennedy Frankfurt closed as of April 2022. The resort, which belonged to the Rocco Forte assortment, was in operation for over 15 years, since 2006. Staff on the resort had been provided transfers to the group’s 15 different properties, although that seemingly wasn’t handy for many, since it will require transferring.
The 163-room resort was usually thought to be Frankfurt’s greatest place to remain, and the resort additionally had fairly a historical past that dates again effectively over 100 years. The resort was bought by CONREN Land in 2021, which was on the time inspecting future ideas for the property, together with the potential for it changing into a retirement dwelling.
Why I used to be unhappy to see Villa Kennedy closing
Clearly resort closings on the whole are unhappy, since many individuals lose their jobs. Past that, although, this can be a property that I actually loved. My household is from a small city in Germany not removed from Frankfurt, and sometimes once I go to I prefer to first spend a few nights in Frankfurt.
Although Frankfurt is a enterprise hub, town lacks luxurious accommodations. There are many respectable mid-range properties, however that’s about it. Villa Kennedy was the exception, because it was actually such a captivating, stress-free property, with nice service. I liked how the resort had a stupendous courtyard, which was a pleasant place to take pleasure in a drink outside in the summertime.
Frankfurt has a number of different luxurious properties, together with the Sofitel and Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof, however they’re not on the identical stage, for my part.
A number of basic ideas on the Rocco Forte model and the Frankfurt resort market:
- I actually assume this resort may have succeeded if it belonged to a world resort group with entry to a greater distribution system, whether or not that comes within the type of a Park Hyatt, St. Regis, or 4 Seasons
- I’ve lengthy thought that the Rocco Forte model is ripe for a takeover; the corporate has a small assortment of fantastic luxurious properties, and the footprint enhances another luxurious resort manufacturers fairly properly
- Why does Frankfurt have so few luxurious accommodations, given what a monetary hub it’s? The very best concept I can give you is that it comes right down to there not being big elasticity in relation to room charges for luxurious properties within the metropolis, together with an absence of premium leisure demand, however is there one thing else I’m lacking?
Villa Kennedy Frankfurt reopening in 2024
There’s a constructive replace. As flagged by Dwell and Let’s Fly, the brand new plan is for Villa Kennedy to be reopened within the fall of 2024. The property will bear a full renovation and have 147 rooms, so it’ll have a barely smaller room depend than it beforehand had.
Sadly the resort gained’t be part of a world resort group, however moderately will belong to Althoff Assortment, a small German resort group with round half a dozen properties. The renderings of the up to date property are attractive, so I’m fairly enthusiastic about this.
I’m thrilled to see that the property might be reopening, and can even be present process a full renovation. It appears prefer it’ll be higher than ever earlier than.
That being mentioned, I can’t assist however be a bit confused by the choice to make this property a part of a small German resort group. Frankfurt is a global enterprise hub, not one essentially focusing on premium German leisure visitors. So if the resort plans to market itself to worldwide vacationers, this looks like an odd branding alternative.
Backside line
Villa Kennedy Frankfurt, a Rocco Forte resort, closed as of April 2022. Whereas the plans had been initially for the property to be transformed into one thing aside from a resort, it appears the house owners have backtracked. The resort will now be present process a full renovation, and can reopen within the fall of 2024, being managed by Althoff.
I’m thrilled to see that Villa Kennedy might be making a comeback, I’m simply type of unhappy that it gained’t be a factors resort.
What do you make of those updates to Villa Kennedy Frankfurt?
