• Agreement with Faranda Hotels sees the addition of eight properties across Spain, comprising more than 700 rooms.
  • The properties will be integrated throughout 2024 and 2025, under the Choice Hotels upscale brand Ascend Hotel Collection.
  • These properties are conveniently located in or close to major secondary cities, providing more options for Choice Hotels’ guests.

Choice Hotels EMEA and Faranda Hotels & Resorts have signed a new long-term strategic agreement that will see Choice Hotels expand its Spanish portfolio through the addition of eight properties, comprising more than 700 rooms.

All hotels will join under the Ascend Hotel Collection, with the first six hotels open for bookings, including Faranda’s new flagship hotel – Faranda Hotel Rias Altas, Ascend Hotel Collection in A Coruña. It is one of the city’s most iconic hotels, the only one located directly on the beachfront, and has undergone a complete renovation offering new guest experiences including a pizzeria and water sports club.

Two further hotels are currently undergoing full refurbishment and are expected to open in Summer 2025. With support from Choice Hotels, Faranda is currently embarking on a program to refurbish and update the properties to implement Choice Hotels’ Ascend Hotel Collection brand hallmarks.

The hotels are spread across Spain’s northern provinces Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria, located in key cities such as A Coruna, Santiago de Compostela, Gijon, and Santander. Catering to a range of guests, they include: Faranda Rias Altas, Faranda Marsol Candas, Faranda Hotel Pathos Gijon, Faranda Alisas Santander, Faranda Los Tilos, Faranda Torrelavega, Faranda Las Lomas and, y Hotel Ciudad Ponferrada.

Extending our existing collaboration with Faranda Hotels is another great step in line with our international expansion strategy. Spain is a key market for Choice Hotels EMEA and through this agreement, we will see the Ascend Hotel Collection expand significantly across Spain in the coming months. We look forward to continuing to expand our presence in the country over the coming years and are equally excited to work closely with Faranda Hotels to consider other opportunities that align with our joint growth strategies. David Beers, CEO of Choice Hotels EMEA
After the efficient results achieved alongside Choice Hotels in Latin America, we firmly believe that this new phase of collaboration in Spain is a natural step to strengthen our alliance. Our 40-plus-year history in hospitality in Spain perfectly complements Choice's vision, and together, we look forward to growing further and offering memorable experiences at each of our hotels. Carlos Fernández, Chief Commercial Officer, Faranda Hotels & Resorts

Faranda Hotels & Resorts will convert and manage these new hotels in collaboration with Choice Hotels, benefiting from Choice’s leading franchise network, which includes cutting-edge cloud-based solutions such as the choiceEDGE guest reservation platform. This platform helps franchisees effectively manage room rates, distribution channels, and inventory. Additionally, Choice University, the most awarded learning program in the hospitality industry, provides personalized and continuously evolving learning and development resources.

All the new properties will participate in the global and award-winning rewards program, Choice Privileges, enabling over 66 million members to earn and redeem points at hotels in 46 countries & territories worldwide.

This new agreement in Spain extends the existing franchise relationship between Choice Hotels and Faranda Hotels in South America, which will now comprise 22 hotels with nearly 2,400 rooms with Choice Hotels and Faranda aiming to further grow in Spain.

Choice Hotels EMEA is focused on strategic growth across the region, which currently counts nearly 400 open hotels located in 17 countries across 4 hotel brands including Ascend Hotel Collection, Clarion, Comfort, and Quality.