The hospitality group Accor has signed a franchise agreement with Romanian investor MKS PROD for the opening of a Mercure hotel in Craiova. The greenfield project will feature 78 rooms and marks the continued expansion of Accor’s network on the Romanian market.

Accor is strengthening its presence in Romania through a new hotel project in Craiova, the second-largest city in the south of the country. The new property will operate under the Mercure brand, based on a franchise agreement signed with the local investor MKS PROD.

The hotel will be built from the ground up and located near the city center, offering easy access to the shopping area and major points of interest. The site is approximately 10 minutes from Craiova International Airport, a relevant advantage for the corporate segment and regional connectivity.

The property will include 78 rooms, flexible workspaces, a meeting room, an all-day dining restaurant, a lobby bar, a fitness area, and on-site parking. The design will incorporate elements inspired by local cultural landmarks, in line with Mercure’s global positioning, which emphasizes integrating local identity into the guest experience.

Founded in 1973, Mercure operates more than 1,000 hotels in approximately 70 countries and is one of Accor’s key midscale brands. Globally, over 200 hotels are currently in various stages of development. In 2025, the brand was named International Brand of the Year at the European Franchise Awards, a distinction confirming the network’s growth momentum.

For Accor, the Craiova project forms part of a broader strategy to expand in regional centers with economic potential. The Group currently operates 25 hotels in Romania and has another 40 properties under development across several brands in its portfolio.

“Signing the Mercure Craiova project represents an important milestone in our expansion across dynamic regional centers in Romania,” said Frank Reul, Vice President of Development for Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Italy and Greece. According to him, the project contributes to strengthening local tourism and business infrastructure.

Simona-Mihaela Pîrjol, representative of MKS PROD, emphasized that the partnership with Accor marks the beginning of a long-term strategic direction, relying on the group’s operational expertise.

The local context is favorable for development. Craiova is strengthening its profile as a cultural and leisure destination, supported by a growing calendar of events. In 2025, the city’s Christmas Market was named the most beautiful Christmas market in Europe by European Best Destinations, based on votes from more than 140 countries.

Through this new project, Accor reinforces its position on the Romanian market, particularly in the midscale segment, which benefits from demand from both the corporate sector and the growing urban tourism segment.