Graz to Welcome Its First Leva Hotel with the Launch of EKONO By Leva Hotel Strasser in May 2025
Graz's vibrant hotel scene is set to welcome a new player this spring, as Dubai-born hospitality brand Leva Hotels makes its European debut with the takeover of the long-standing Best Western Hotel Strasser. Starting May 2025, the property will be rebranded as EKONO By Leva Hotel Strasser, an upscale 3-star lifestyle hotel designed to blend local charm with international service excellence.
Perfectly situated in the city centre, making it a convenient spot for exploring the historical and cultural landmarks of Graz. The hotel's central location offers easy access to many attractions and major transport links. The 75-key hotel will continue to operate without interruption and will retain its three-star classification but introduce several soft service upgrades typical of Leva-managed hotels — including a fresh brand identity, enhanced food & beverage concept, and a renewed guest engagement philosophy. The transition marks the latest chapter for a beloved Graz hotel while ushering in a unique guest experience under Leva's growing international portfolio.
Graz, renowned for its rich history, cultural landmarks, and academic institutions, attracts millions of tourists each year, with Austria's 2024 increase in overnight stays by 2%. The city's robust tourism sector and growing business hub make it a prime destination for Leva Hotels' first European venture.
'Graz is a city rich in history, culture, and forward-thinking energy — a perfect match for our first European property,' said JS Anand, Founder and CEO of Leva Hotels. 'EKONO By Leva Hotel Strasser offers a fresh, contemporary hotel experience that blends comfort with efficiency, tailored to both business travellers and leisure guests. It reflects our vision of offering quality hospitality in emerging markets across Europe, with a focus on comfort, thoughtful service, and modern efficiency.'
The takeover is the result of a close collaboration between Leva Hotels, the (hotel's existing ownership Haris Jasarevic, legal advisor Atty. Rafael Gilkarov, and hospitality consultant, Patrick Frankl, BBA, from FRANKL CONSULT GmbH Hotel Investment & Consulting) based in Vienna, Austria. All current hotel employees will remain in their roles post-transition.
The Strasser Hotel, founded in 1900 by Theodor and Josefa Strasser, boasts a rich history and stands as the second-oldest hotel in Graz. With its unique character and deep-rooted tradition, it has remained a prominent landmark in the city.
The hotel owner, Haris Jasarevic, added, 'We are excited to partner with Leva Hotels and bring a new level of service and innovation to Graz. This rebranding marks a pivotal moment in the city and the hotel's legacy, offering guests a modern, elevated experience that's both accessible and authentic to Graz's spirit.'
As part of Leva's global expansion plan, this marks the first of several anticipated European properties. Leva is already in talks to unveil more hotels across the continent later this year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Business
25 minutes ago
- Arabian Business
Dubai construction inspections surge 36% in 2025 as sustainability efforts hit new milestone
Dubai Municipality has ramped up its oversight of the emirate's building sector, completing more than 25,000 field inspections in the first half of 2025 — a 36 per cent jump compared to the same period last year. The inspections covered more than 18,800 active construction sites with a combined built-up area of more than 36 million square metres, up 11 per cent year-on-year, reflecting Dubai's continued expansion in real estate and infrastructure. The Municipality reported a 96 per cent compliance rate, underscoring its push to ensure safety, quality, and sustainability in line with Dubai's ambition to be the world's smartest and most sustainable city in construction. Dubai construction inspections Between January and June, 1,669 building completion certificates were issued, up 30 per cent from 2024, adding nearly 2 million square metres of new residential, commercial, and industrial space. This included: 1,484 villas 74 multi-storey buildings 60 industrial facilities Maryam Al Muhairi, CEO of the Buildings Regulation and Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality, said: 'Dubai Municipality places great emphasis on precise engineering oversight of construction activities, considering it a key tool to regulate the sector and elevate its standards, in line with our unwavering commitment to developing it into the world's smartest and most sustainable. 'We aim to provide a safe and sustainable construction environment, applying the highest quality and safety standards at all stages, which contribute to enhancing residents' quality of life and reinforcing Dubai's position as a leading hub in construction and building. 'Today, Dubai is not just a rapidly developing city — it is a global platform offering a sustainable model for future urban development. We remain committed to pursuing this ambitious vision, working hand in hand with our partners in the construction sector to drive sustainability, excellence, and innovation.' Sustainability remains central to Dubai's construction strategy. In the first half of 2025, more than 1.5 million cubic metres of green concrete were used, while 16.4 million cubic metres of soil were recycled — equivalent to filling 6,500 Olympic swimming pools. The Municipality also issued 4,222 sand transport and supply permits and approved 1,126 free sand requests for Emirati citizens building private villas. These measures form part of a wider vision to streamline building procedures, enhance governance, and maintain legislative flexibility, reinforcing the emirate's appeal as a global investment hub in the construction sector.
Arabian Business
25 minutes ago
- Arabian Business
Demand for Dubai luxury home maintenance soars as branded residences surge 43%
Dubai's booming luxury branded residential sector is driving a sharp increase in demand for premium home maintenance services, according to UAE-based specialist Hitches & Glitches. More than 13,000 branded units were sold in Dubai during 2024, up 43 per cent from the previous year, according to Global Branded Residences (GBR). The city's inventory now exceeds 132 developments and 43,000 units, with the figure expected to more than double by 2030. Branded residences in Dubai Zohaib Azhar, director of operations at Hitches & Glitches, said: 'With luxury branded residences increasing their share of Dubai's booming residential property market and attracting high net-worth investors with equally high standards and expectations, naturally the quality of maintenance service levels needs to meet, if not exceed those expectations. 'Discerning buyers who are willing to pay a premium of up to 69 per cent compared to non-branded residences are understandably looking for professional home maintenance. 'They understand that quality maintenance preserves and enhances the aesthetic and functional condition of their property, as well as offering greater asset appreciation. 'This is particularly relevant if they travel extensively or use the property as a second or holiday home. To deliver exceptional service, two critical factors have emerged – technology and training'. H&G's smart technology platform, developed in-house by Farnek's smart FM solutions arm HITEK, allows property owners to monitor maintenance requests in real time through a dedicated app. The system enables remote approval and payment for materials, giving international investors greater control over property upkeep. H&G's home maintenance division now manages more than 1,500 active Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC) worth more than AED26m ($7m), serviced by 240 qualified technicians. The company's portfolio includes properties in prestigious developments such as: Address Palace Vida Four Seasons Dubai Marina Palm Jumeirah Downtown Dubai Dubai Creek Harbour Jumeirah Bay Island In addition to mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), air conditioning, painting, carpentry, pest control, and minor renovations, H&G offers upkeep for gym equipment, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, home automation systems, and laundry appliances. The company has also seen a rise in demand for housekeepers, maids, chefs, drivers, service butlers, and security staff, particularly in the branded residential market.
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai businessman loses Dh2.2 million in Bao Bao Panda crypto scam, probe underway
It was billed as the "panda revolution" of the crypto world. Bao Bao Panda, a meme coin with a grinning mascot, viral internet hype, and AI-driven investing, claimed it would change fortunes 'one paw-step at a time.' Instead, it left a Dubai-based Indian businessman with a $600,491 hole (Dh2.2 million) in his account and on the trail of a scam now under investigation by Dubai Police. Al Riffa Police have registered a fraud case against an Indian man for posing as a licensed virtual asset trader. The suspect allegedly convinced the victim to exchange $600,491 worth of USDT tokens for Bao Bao Panda, promising the meme coin's value would double. A police certificate submitted to the public prosecutor and shared with the businessman confirms the case details. Investigators found the accused had no license to trade digital assets in the UAE, violating anti-money laundering laws and federal virtual asset regulations. Authorities have issued a circular to locate the suspect, who reportedly fled the country in April. 'This is not how it was supposed to be,' the businessman told Khaleej Times, recalling the nearly 60 cryptocurrency transfers he made. The coin's white paper seen by Khaleej Times promised global contests, virtual panda races, and even wildlife conservation. 'What I got was a police file, a forensic audit, and a dead-end crypto trail.' He claims an Indian politician and his son introduced him to the suspect during a Dubai visit. 'They told me, 'We guarantee your money,'' he said. 'It sounded convincing then. Now, I see it was all a carefully crafted illusion.' According to him, the politician and his son claimed to invest $50,000 of their own in Bao Bao Panda, a supposed show of faith that he alleges was simply a circular transaction looping back to them. For nearly four months after the token's launch, the suspect allegedly kept up the façade: sending updates, discussing marketing plans, and vowing listings on major exchanges. Behind the scenes, the businessman alleges, he urged others to buy in, then dumped his own holdings from anonymous wallets each time prices rose. Meme coins are cryptocurrencies inspired by internet jokes or trends (eg: Dogecoin, Shiba Inu), typically with no real-world utility. Their value depends entirely on hype, making them prime targets for speculation and fraud. In February, Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) issued an alert warning that meme coins are unregulated and highly speculative, often lacking intrinsic value and vulnerable to manipulation through social media hype. It urged investors to be wary of anyone promising guaranteed or outsized returns and reminded the public that all virtual-asset promotions in Dubai must follow its marketing and issuance rules.
