Sonesta International Hotel Corp. announced the debut of two soft brands within its expanding portfolio: Classico, A Sonesta Collection, and MOD, A Sonesta Collection. These brands will offer independent hotel owners the opportunity to affiliate with Sonesta’s network while retaining their own iconic hotel names, identities, designs, and styles. All Classico and MOD hotels will be included on Sonesta’s website and will have access to its extensive distribution channels and services.
“Sonesta is proud to unveil Classico and MOD, extending our suite of offerings with distinct brands that we believe will appeal to both franchisees and consumers,” says Elizabeth Harlow, Sonesta’s chief brand officer, in a prepared statement. “Classico’s upper-upscale identity is a unique alternative to The Royal and The James brands. MOD’s modern upscale brand allows owners and developers to maintain the qualities that make their hotels unique.”
Classico “blends local authenticity with global appeal.” Marketed by Sonesta’s Luxury and Lifestyle Lodging Development Team, each Classico property will have a distinct identity and will offer signature local cuisine, high-touch service, and refined interiors. The first Classico brand property is the 40-room Z Ocean Hotel in Miami, Florida, which opened in May 2023. The hotel features a 600-square-foot conference room that seats up to 50, a lobby bar that can comfortably host up to 40 guests, and is located just minutes from the Miami Beach Convention Center.
MOD will offer guests flexibility by catering to their unique lifestyle and travel needs. Each MOD hotel will feature eclectic interior designs and amenities. The first MOD property will launch as Hotel 11 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This hotel will boast three meeting rooms totaling 3,700 square feet of space, which can host up to 240 guests at a time.
“As we have strengthened Sonesta’s franchising capabilities over the past two years, we recognized the opportunity for additional growth through soft branding,” says Brian Quinn, chief development officer, in a prepared statement. “The launch of Classico and MOD continue Sonesta’s growth trajectory, and we anticipate great success with continued expansion in the upper-upscale and upscale segments.”
Sonesta Franchising now features 19 industry-leading brands with a wide range of hotel service levels to meet travelers’ and planners’ needs.
