IHM strengthens its hotel portfolio in Lyon
Located opposite Parc de la Tête d’Or, in the heart of the Cité Internationale and close to the Lyon Convention Centre, the Lyon Marriott Hotel Cité Internationale is positioned in the business travel and corporate events market.
The property features 204 rooms and 16 meeting and function rooms, including a large venue accommodating up to 460 guests. Its facilities also include a restaurant, a terrace overlooking the park and a fitness centre.
The acquisition was completed by IHM, whose development strategy is backed by its investment partners EXTENDAM, Bpifrance and Financière Sisters. Neither the transaction value nor the precise financing arrangements have been disclosed.
SOHOMA, which supported the transaction from asset analysis through to the management takeover, is further strengthening its presence in the Lyon metropolitan area with a 17th property. The operator had previously taken over management of the Novotel and ibis Lyon Gerland Musée des Confluences, before announcing the acquisition of Mercure Lyon Centre Lumière.
SOHOMA considers further investment
Charlotte Houssay and Félix Putatti, who oversee development at SOHOMA, emphasise the strategic significance of the latest transaction:
“At SOHOMA, every transaction calls for a tailored strategy, depending on the hotel, its location, its market and the investors’ ambitions. With this upscale, large-capacity, MICE-focused property, we are continuing our development in the Lyon market, whose potential we firmly believe in. We are delighted to bring our expertise to this hotel and its teams to help unlock its full potential.”
For Christophe Ribeiro, Asset Manager, the acquisition represents another milestone in the development of IHM’s portfolio:
“SOHOMA supported this major acquisition for IHM’s hotel division, from asset analysis through to the management takeover. With the Lyon Marriott Hotel Cité Internationale, IHM is strengthening its portfolio of wholly owned hotel properties and operating businesses in Lyon, reaching a new milestone with a landmark property, the largest in its portfolio. The ambition now is to support the hotel and its teams over the long term, particularly through future investment.”
The transaction also extends the relationship between SOHOMA and EXTENDAM, which have already partnered on several hotel projects, including the acquisition of Hôtel des Théâtres in Paris and the repositioning of a former Citadines property into a Residence Inn by Marriott in Lille.
CBRE France also advised on the transaction.
Lavorel Hotels disposes of a historic asset acquired in 2014
For Lavorel Hotels, the disposal carries particular significance. Jean-Claude Lavorel acquired the property in 2014, one year before establishing the hotel group.
It was therefore one of the founding assets of the Lavorel Hotels business, whose portfolio expanded progressively over the following decade.
In its official announcement, the group recalled the property’s role in its development:
“In 2014, one year before Lavorel Hotels was established, Jean-Claude Lavorel acquired this property in Lyon. It was the first building block in an entrepreneurial journey that would grow into something far greater over the years.”
The disposal follows more than a decade during which the Marriott Lyon Cité Internationale contributed to the group’s growth and the development of its teams.
It also forms part of the evolution of Lavorel Hotels’ portfolio, which has previously undertaken selective asset disposals, notably the sale of the Black Bass Hotel in Annecy to the Destel group in late 2023.
Charline Bresse-Vittoz, Managing Director of Lavorel Hotels, also paid tribute to the employees who contributed to this period, particularly Pauline Garande, whose career at the property took her from commercial roles to operational responsibilities.
A strategic shift towards the Collection and Kopster brands
Beyond the asset disposal itself, the sale of the Marriott Lyon Cité Internationale reflects a change in Lavorel Hotels’ development priorities.
In its statement, the group announced its intention to strengthen its Collection and Kopster brands, reinforce their respective identities and focus future development on destinations and properties aligned with its positioning.
This direction builds on the ambitions outlined following the appointment of Charline Bresse as Managing Director of Lavorel Hotels, which already linked the development of the Collection portfolio with that of Kopster, the group’s urban hotel brand.
Lavorel Hotels therefore intends to pursue a strategy centred on distinctive guest experiences and differentiation within its hotel offering.
The group summarised this approach as follows:
“Because growing a group also means knowing when to reshape its scope and choosing the opportunities that will define its future.”
The disposal of the Lyon Marriott therefore appears to be a portfolio optimisation decision, enabling Lavorel Hotels to refocus its ambitions on its own brands rather than necessarily pursuing growth through an increasing number of properties.
However, the group has not disclosed any quantified development targets or a specific timetable for this new phase.
Two distinct strategic directions
The transaction illustrates two different approaches within the French hotel market.
On one side, IHM and SOHOMA are pursuing a strategy of consolidating their presence in Lyon, particularly in the large-capacity hotel and MICE segments.
On the other, Lavorel Hotels is favouring a more selective evolution of its portfolio, placing greater emphasis on developing its proprietary brands.
For the Lyon Marriott Hotel Cité Internationale, the change of ownership and operator marks the beginning of a new phase, with SOHOMA indicating the prospect of future investment, although no timetable or financial commitment has been announced at this stage.
At a Glance
Transaction: IHM acquires the 204-room Lyon Marriott Hotel Cité Internationale from Lavorel Hotels.
Management: SOHOMA takes over operations, bringing its Lyon portfolio to 17 hotels.
Historical asset: Jean-Claude Lavorel acquired the property in 2014, before establishing Lavorel Hotels.
Investment partners: EXTENDAM, Bpifrance and Financière Sisters support IHM’s development strategy.
Strategic shift: Lavorel Hotels intends to focus its development on its Collection and Kopster brands.
Outlook: SOHOMA is considering future investment in the hotel; financial terms remain undisclosed.
