The story
1992: Etap Hôtel
After the successful launch of the budget hotel chain Formule 1 in 1985, the group Accor launched a new economy brand, Etap Hôtel, in 1992. By 2004, 229 Etap Hôtel locations opened in France, and 81 elsewhere in Europe. To fine-tune its economy segment, the Accor group privileged the development of Etap Hôtel over its other budget brand Formule 1.
In 2008, the chain had been awarded Best Interior Design by the European Hotel Design Awards.
2011: Ibis Budget
In September 2011, Accor rebranded Etap Hôtel into Ibis Budget and All Seasons into ibis Styles, turning ibis into the group's economy megabrand. The "Sweet Bed" was rolled out throughout the ibis brands, the first bed entirely designed by a hotel group. The mattresses, pillows and digital access were upgraded. The lobby was turned into a living space. Following this restructure, the ibis megabrand became the leading hotel operator in Europe in 2013 with 1,277 hotels. The first Ibis Budget opened in Tangier, Morocco, in November 2011.
In 2013, Ibis Budget became Spain's first super-economy hotel chain with 15 hotels in the country. The following year, still in Spain, Ibis Budget tested the installation of solar thermal collectors capable of yielding power on rainy days and during the night.
In April 2017, Ibis Budget introduced the new Nest rooms which include a pull-down bed. In January 2019, ibis Budget launched a discount offer for rainy days. In October 2019, Ibis Budget launched in Singapore.
The last remaining hotel with the old Etap name was located in Belfast; however, this officially rebranded as Ibis Budget on 1st December 2024. The property in which the business operates, under Essendi (formally known as AccorInvest), was sold to Andras House in March 2024.
From Wikipedia’s article on Ibis Budget, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4