Fattal Hotels reports 315 hotels in 21 countries. See how David Fattal built the Leonardo platform, from a 1998 Eilat start to the 2017 Jurys Inn deal, plus who controls the group.
Part of: Who Owns the Israeli Hotel Sector
Fattal Hotels is an Israeli hotel group founded by David Fattal in 1998 that reports 315 hotels, 56,000 rooms and 21 countries on its own website. It is listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and built its European platform under the Leonardo brand, including the 2017 acquisition of the management and leases of 36 Jurys Inn hotels.
How did David Fattal start Fattal Hotels?
David Fattal established Fattal Hotels in March 1998, HOTELS magazine reported, and the company's own history says he took over the Meridien Hotel in Eilat that year. Fattal began as a waiter, according to the company's awards profile.
The group's Israeli arm describes itself on LinkedIn as Israel's largest hospitality organization. For the Eilat market where Israeli chains began, see Olam's Eilat profile.
How did Fattal Hotels expand into Europe?
Fattal Hotels began doing business in Europe around 2006 and expanded mainly by acquiring groups of hotels, Globes reported in 2018. Fattal bought 18 European hotels from an investment fund that ended in 2014 for about 160 million euros, HOTELS magazine reported, and signed a sale of 18 German hotels to the Swedish firm Pandox in 2015.
The largest step came on December 14, 2017, when Fattal and Pandox signed a 800 million pound agreement for the Jurys Inn portfolio, Hotel Online reported. Fattal bought the management and rental agreements for 36 hotels for 120 million pounds, while Pandox bought 20 hotels from the private equity fund Lone Star for 680 million pounds. David Fattal called it the biggest hotel deal by an Israeli company in Europe.
The structure matters. Fattal acquired an operating platform and leases, while Pandox bought freeholds. Fattal announced in April 2022 that the Jurys Inn name would be retired and the hotels rebranded as Leonardo, according to Wikipedia.
How big is Fattal Hotels?
Fattal Hotels roughly doubled its hotel count between the 2017 Jurys Inn deal and 2026, according to company and press figures.
| Date | Hotels | Rooms | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 2017, after Jurys Inn | 162 | over 31,000 | Hotel Online |
| 2018 | about 170 | about 32,000 | CoStar |
| 2022 | 230, including hotels under construction | about 45,000 | HOTELS magazine |
| 2026 | 315 in 137 cities and 21 countries | 56,000 | Fattal Hotel Group website |
Olam's arithmetic: 315 hotels is about 1.9 times the 162 of December 2017, and 56,000 rooms is about 1.8 times 31,000. The figures come from different sources and dates, and the 2022 count includes hotels not yet open.
What brands does Fattal Hotels operate?
Fattal Hotels operates Leonardo as its main European brand, alongside Herods, U Hotels and the lifestyle brand NYX, CoStar reported in 2018. NYX had properties in Tel Aviv, Prague, Milan, Munich and Madrid at that time, and the group's Tel Aviv assets included Hotel Rothschild 22.
Who controls Fattal Hotels?
Fattal Hotels was owned 62.33% by the Fattal family in 2022, according to HOTELS magazine. HotelQuest said in June 2026 that David Fattal holds roughly 51% of the shares, citing Forbes, and gave a market capitalization near NIS 10.2 billion in March 2026, citing FinancialReports.eu.
The two ownership figures differ by date and source, and Olam has not verified the current stake. The parent placed 11.5% of the company on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in February 2018, CoStar reported.
How does Fattal Hotels compare with Isrotel and Brown?
Fattal Hotels operates in 21 countries according to its website, while Isrotel operates only in Israel according to Wikipedia. The other Israeli operator with a Greek portfolio, Brown Hotels, agreed in 2024 to sell its Israeli and Greek operations to Israel Canada Hotels.
Fattal's growth rested on acquiring management contracts and leases as well as property. Readers comparing operators should check how each splits owned, leased and managed hotels. For another large operator, see Olam's Dan Hotels profile.
Fattal Hotels FAQ
What is Fattal Hotels?
Fattal Hotels is an Israeli hotel group that reports 315 hotels, 56,000 rooms and 21 countries on its website. Its main European brand is Leonardo.
Who founded Fattal Hotels?
David Fattal founded Fattal Hotels in March 1998, according to HOTELS magazine. Globes described him in 2018 as chairperson and CEO with a controlling interest.
What was the Jurys Inn deal?
On December 14, 2017, Fattal agreed to buy the management and rental agreements for 36 Jurys Inn hotels in the UK and Ireland for 120 million pounds, as part of an 800 million pound deal with Pandox, Hotel Online reported.
Is Fattal Hotels publicly listed?
Yes. Fattal Holdings is listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, and its parent placed 11.5% of the company there in February 2018, according to CoStar.
How many hotels does Fattal operate?
Fattal's website lists 315 hotels, 137 cities and 56,000 rooms, with about 17,000 employees.
Index: this is the Fattal profile in the Israeli Hotels cluster. Capstone: Who Owns the Israeli Hotel Sector. Sister operator profiles: Isrotel, Dan and Brown.
How we report: Olam stories draw on public filings, company disclosures and named sources, checked by our editors. Read our methodology · Corrections
