Capella Hotel Group anticipates marking its entry in the U.S. market with a property potentially in either California’s Napa Valley, New York State’s burgeoning Hudson Valley, or even New York City.
Speaking at ILTM Cannes last week, Neil Jacobs, Senior Strategic Director of Capella Hotel Group, outlined the recent opening for Capella and sister brand, Patina, which share 10 properties across both portfolios.
Jacobs joined Capella from Six Senses in July. His role is to assist both Capella and Patina expand their presence in Asia, facilitate and help take the brand to Europe and to “ultimately move the company into the U.S., to really create a global footprint.”
“By 2030 we will have doubled our footprint and be well north of 20 operating hotels in the next five years,” Jacobs said.
This year saw the opening of Capella Taipei and Patina Osaka, described by Jacobs as “brand defining openings”. Capella Kyoto will open in March 2026.
“We’re seeing strong momentum for Patina, particularly in Asia and we’re exploring what European expansion could look like,” he told media last week.
Patina Tianjin is coming in 2026, the first Patina in China, followed by Patina Sanya in 2028 and soon after in, Capella Nanjing. In the Middle East, Capella has a property earmarked for Diriyah, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia in 2027.
Jacobs said the Group was very keen on restoration of historic buildings, as was the case with Capella Sydney which opened in 2023 and the transformation of the former Education Building in the CBD and more recently, the Lands Authority Building adjacent to the property (that at one time, was flagged as a potential site for Patina Sydney).
Another example of Capella’s interest in historic buildings is the redevelopment project in Florence, in the middle of the old town, which should be completed in 18-20 months from now, “subject to historic issues”.
Jacobs said there hasn’t been anything new been built in Florence is 50 years, adding that Capella Florence is 80% historic restoration with the balance to going into the development of the residential component of approximately 15 apartments.
“It will be our entry into Europe which is a significant move,” he said.
“The brand is moving in a different direction to how it was 18 months ago, and the entry into Europe will add a huge impetus to growth going forward.”
Expanding on the U.S. entry, Jacobs said he is looking at a couple of opportunities on the East Coast and West Coast.
“Should it be a resort in Napa or Hudson Valley, which is going crazy? There are still a few opportunities there, or should we do a hotel in New York. What would have the most impact on brand recognition, and that could be argued both ways.
“We are very focused on having a presence in the United States, in North America. And from that comes the Caribbean, Mexico and South America,” Jacobs added.
Elsewhere, Jacobs said his “passions in life” are wellbeing and sustainability, and both Capella and Patina “have initiatives in place to really define even further the wellness proposition.”
