SAN FRANCISCO—One year since announcing a strategic partnership, San Francisco-based Commune Hotels & Resorts has formalized its presence in Asia with the addition of Alila Hotels and Resorts to its portfolio of boutique hotel brands. Singapore-based Alila marks Commune’s fourth hotel brand, joining Joie de Vivre Hotels, Thompson Hotels, and tommie.
Geolo Capital, the private equity firm that owns Commune, secured a majority interest in Alila in 2014, at which time the two hotel companies formed an alliance to cross-promote each others’ global brands. Today, Commune and Alila are entering into a fully integrated model to create wider exposure and distribution internationally.
“I’m thrilled to welcome the Alila team to the family. Through our partnership this past year, we quickly discovered that our company cultures and values are very well-aligned,” said Niki Leondakis, CEO of Commune. “Asia is an incredibly influential and promising travel market with tremendous growth potential for Commune; Alila has a strong foothold in the region with world-class hotels and a commitment to guest service that’s nothing short of exceptional, all of which creates significant opportunity for Commune’s existing hotels and future development internationally.”
Alila Hotels and Resorts’ corporate office in Singapore will become the regional office of Commune Hotels & Resorts in Asia. Each individual Alila hotel and resort will retain its name. Frederic Flageat-Simon, previously CEO of Alila, will serve as CEO Asia of Commune Hotels & Resorts, overseeing the Singapore-based executive team and managing the Commune portfolio in Asia. Flageat-Simon and the Singapore-based team will focus on growing the Commune brands in Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, while the U.S.-based Commune team will continue to build the development pipeline in America, Europe, and Africa.
“The value of the two companies together is greater than two separate entities,” remarked Flageat-Simon. “The combination of Alila’s footprint and experience in Asia, combined with the infrastructure, resources, and global reputation of Commune will mean a winning guest experience for more people around the world, and a global management and distribution platform for our owners.”
