Three hotels for one

On a 14,000-sqm plot owned by Orbis in Gdynia, the company plans to develop a one-star Etap hotel as well as a Hotel Ibis and Novotel with a total 420 rooms. The approximate cost of the investment will be zł.120 million.

"Our decision does not mean the end of the Hotel Gdynia project," said Kaja Szwykowska from Orbis. "An analysis of the Tri-city market shows its significant potential and this is why we completed the renovation of the Grand Hotel in Sopot and are currently working on the development of our hotels in Gdańsk."

Szwykowska said the company has decided to differentiate its Tri-city offer and therefore three hotels with different standards will be developed in Gdynia.

Joanna Grajter, a spokesperson for Gdynia's city hall, said that Gdynia needs different hotels so that every kind of tourist who comes to visit the city can find suitable accommodation.

"Gdynia holds many international and regional events, such as conferences and art festivals, and we have limited capacity to accommodate all guests. Therefore some of them have to look for accommodation in Gdańsk or Sopot," said Grajter.

But apart from the Orbis project, Gdynia will be looking for other developments from the tourist sector. Grajter pointed to a 'Prestigious Seaside Zone,' which is located in the city center, within walking distance of the beach and harbor. This area contains a number of proposed and existing projects, including the current Hotel Gdynia, a music theater, a planned luxury apartment complex called Sea Towers, and there is also scope for another five-star hotel.