First ever easyHotel franchisee to open second hotel
posted: May 22, 2007

In what is being seen as a major vote of confidence, super-budget hotel operator easyHotel.com has revealed plans by their first ever franchisee to open his second easyHotel, in Zurich, in October this year. Inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of Stelios Haji-Ioannou and the success of his first easyHotel venture, Swiss businessman Philipp Fink has signed a deal to add to the easyHotel Basel that he has been operating since September 2005.

Larger than the easyHotel in Basel, the Zurich easyHotel, which will offer 33 rooms, is a former residential building located in a prime city centre location and will be fully re-furbished by early autumn.

Relying entirely on web bookings to generate sales, easyHotel already operates two hotels in London and are scheduled to open a third in Earls Court this June. The super-budget hotel operator has ambitious plans to open up to 60 new hotels in prime city locations across the UK, Europe and the Middle East in the next three years.

Says Basel and Zurich franchisee Philipp Fink,  “The easy brand is one of the most recognisable in the world, and with two years experience of running the easyHotel.com in Basel, I am delighted to have finally found another property to convert, allowing me to open my second easyHotel. The easyHotel.com franchise provides both existing and potential franchisees with great opportunities and I am continuing my search for suitable sites in other key locations!”

Says easyHotel.com CEO Lawrence Alexander, “Philipp has been extremely successful running Basel for nearly two years now, and we are delighted with his vote of confidence in committing to another prime city location in Switzerland. Signing with easyHotel.com provides franchisees with the chance to leverage a hugely powerful brand and gives entrepreneurs like Philipp the scope to grow a business in a wide range of destinations.”

Notes to Editors:
easyHotel.com offers rooms from CHF 45 per night in Basel and £25 per night in London.