Sonesta International Hotels Corp. has added two soft brands to its portfolio with Classico, a Sonesta Collection and Mod, a Sonesta Collection.
According to a company news release, both brands "offer independent hotel owners the opportunity to affiliate with Sonesta's network while retaining their own iconic hotel names, identities, designs and established styles."
Classico is positioned in the upper-upscale segment, and Mod is positioned in the upscale segment. The first Sonesta Classico hotel opened May 1 — the 40-room Z Ocean Hotel in Miami's South Beach neighborhood. The first Mod hotel will launch as Hotel 11 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
"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," Elizabeth Harlow, Sonesta's chief brand officer, said in a news release. "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."
"As we have strengthened Sonesta's franchising capabilities over the past two years, we recognized the opportunity for additional growth through soft branding," Brian Quinn, chief development officer at Sonesta, said in the release. "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."
Hotels under both brands will feature a range of unique and eclectic interiors, curated food and beverage options and high-touch service.
In 2021, Sonesta debuted Sonesta Franchising in the U.S. with a full platform of franchise services, hotel operations and franchise support. All hotels under Classico and Mod will be included on Sonesta's website and have access to its distribution channels and services, the release states.