Spring Hotels sets out 2026 strategy after landmark Mare Nostrum takeover
Six months after completing the largest hotel acquisition ever made in Spain, Tenerife-based Spring Hotels has outlined its strategic roadmap for 2026, centred on the integration of the Mare Nostrum Resort and the transformation of one of the south of Tenerife’s most iconic hotels.
What began as a family-run regional business has now become one of the most closely watched success stories in Spanish tourism. With the purchase of the Mare Nostrum Resort, made up of three hotels on the ‘Golden Mile’ in Las Americas, Spring Hotels has firmly positioned itself among the country’s leading hospitality groups, competing at an international level.
Financial backing and industry recognition
The scale and solidity of Spring Hotels’ growth were publicly recognised at FITUR 2026, where CaixaBank awarded CEO Miguel Villarroya the Transformational Leadership prize as part of its Hotels & Tourism awards.
The award highlights the challenge of delivering record-breaking expansion while maintaining profitability and a long-term vision in a highly competitive global market.
Speaking after receiving the recognition, Villarroya stressed that the acquisition itself was only the first step. “Completing the purchase is only half the job. The real challenge now is integration and optimisation,” he said, adding that Spring’s goal is not simply to own hotels, but to reshape them under a unified Spring identity.
“Real hospitality” over impersonal automation
At a time when tourism debates increasingly focus on overcrowding and the risks of excessive automation, Spring Hotels has used industry forums to defend a people-first model. The group promotes what it calls “real hospitality”, combining operational efficiency with a strong emphasis on human interaction.
Technology, according to the company, is used to remove internal bureaucracy and operational friction, freeing staff to focus on personal service rather than replacing it. This approach aims to strengthen guest experience at a time when many hotel brands are becoming increasingly standardised and impersonal.
2026 plans: redefining luxury in Tenerife
Looking ahead, Spring Hotels has confirmed that one of its flagship projects for 2026 will be the major refurbishment of the Cleopatra Palace Hotel, scheduled for the end of the year.
The renovation goes beyond a conventional upgrade. The group describes it as a move towards “new experiential luxury”, designed to appeal to modern travellers seeking authenticity, exclusivity and a stronger connection with their destination.
With six strategically located hotels and an unprecedented level of assets, Spring Hotels has closed its presence in Madrid with a clear message for the sector: the future of Spanish tourism will depend on combining financial ambition with operational excellence and a strong commitment to quality at national scale.
For Tenerife, the strategy reinforces the island’s role not only as a mass-market destination, but also as a testing ground for the next generation of high-end, experience-led tourism.
Share:
