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Accor and Corinthia Group have announced a strategic collaboration that will bring five Verdi Hotels into Accor’s Handwritten Collection from November 2026, marking a significant development in the international expansion of both hotel brands.
The agreement will see three properties in Malta, one in Portugal and one in Tunisia join the collection under a franchise arrangement, with plans to potentially extend the partnership to two additional hotels in Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Corinthia Group, which trades as International Hotel Investments plc (IHI), launched Verdi Hotels in 2024 as a separate management platform targeting the upscale hospitality market.
The Verdi brand operates independently of Corinthia Hotels, which focuses on the luxury segment.
Under the new agreement, Verdi’s existing hotel management platform will benefit from Accor’s international distribution capabilities, marketing infrastructure and loyalty programmes, while retaining its own operational identity.
The collaboration provides Corinthia Group with access to a wider international customer base and additional commercial resources to support the development of Verdi Hotels.
For Accor, the agreement represents a further expansion of Handwritten Collection, its portfolio of individually positioned hotels launched in 2023.
The brand has grown to more than 50 hotels across 22 countries, with a further 58 properties in its development pipeline, according to the announcement.
Handwritten Collection is designed to bring independently styled properties into Accor’s global network while preserving their individual character and hospitality offering.
Simon Naudi, CEO of Corinthia Group, said: “We are very pleased to announce this strategic relationship with Accor. While our focus on the global growth of the Corinthia brand remains undiminished and entirely independent, the development of our second brand, Verdi, will now benefit from Accor’s extensive global marketing reach and the strength of its Handwritten Collection.”
Paul Pisani, President of Verdi Hotels, added: “We are very much looking forward to this new relationship, which will add value to our Verdi Hotels and give us the opportunity to grow the brand in new and exciting destinations.”
The initial five properties joining Handwritten Collection are Verdi Gżira Promenade, Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina and Verdi Dragonara in Malta, alongside Verdi Tunis Beach Resort in Tunisia and Verdi Santarém in Portugal.
In Malta, Verdi Gżira Promenade occupies a waterfront position overlooking Marsamxett Harbour, providing access to the island’s principal business and leisure districts.
Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina is situated in St Julian’s, overlooking St. George’s Bay and positioned close to the area’s restaurants, entertainment venues and commercial facilities.
Verdi Dragonara, formerly the Vivaldi Hotel, is also located in St Julian’s, overlooking the Dragonara headland and Mediterranean coastline.
In Tunisia, Verdi Tunis Beach Resort is situated on the Côtes de Carthage, providing resort accommodation within reach of the capital and surrounding cultural attractions.
The fifth hotel, Verdi Santarém, is located in the historic Portuguese city of Santarém, north of Lisbon, serving visitors to the country’s Ribatejo region.
The proposed addition of properties in Hungary and the Czech Republic would further extend the geographical scope of the partnership, although no timetable has been confirmed for their inclusion.
Philippe Bijaoui, Chief Development Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy Brands for Accor in Europe and North Africa, said: “This strategic partnership with Verdi Hotels marks an important step in our continued growth ambition. By combining the strength of Verdi Hotels’ management platform with Accor’s distribution, loyalty and brand ecosystem, we aim to unlock new opportunities, accelerate growth and create sustainable value for both parties.”
The agreement reflects the continuing development of international hotel franchise and collection-brand models, through which established operators can retain their distinctive identities while accessing the distribution and commercial resources of larger hospitality groups.
For Corinthia Group, the collaboration provides an additional platform to develop Verdi Hotels without changing the independent positioning of its Corinthia luxury brand.
The first five Verdi properties are expected to join Handwritten Collection from November 2026.
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