- Nasima Akter
Ronaldo's Paris Hotel Opening is Delayed
Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo has been planning to build a luxury hotel in Paris for some time now, but it looks like his project has hit a major snag. According to reports, the hotel, which was originally slated to open in 2021, won't be ready for another four years.
The delays have been caused by a variety of factors, including the pandemic and a public inquiry. As a result, building work on the hotel has only just begun. It's a setback for Ronaldo, who was undoubtedly hoping to open the doors to his new hotel sooner rather than later.
Ideally, he would have liked the hotel to open while he was still playing. The delay caused by the pandemic might mean that the hotel won't attract the same international attention as it would have when Ronaldo was still at his peak.
What to Expect from the Hotel
Although the hotel is owned by Ronaldo and Pestana Group, construction has only started in the past few weeks, much later than originally planned. Unfortunately, Ronaldo is almost certain to retire before the grand opening takes place.
For those unfamiliar, the Pestana Group is a Madeira-based tourism and leisure multinational owned by millionaire Dionisio Pestana, and founded by his dad Manuel.
When the hotel does eventually open, it's expected to be a sight to behold. The hotel will feature over 200 rooms, as well as a rooftop bar and swimming pool that offer stunning views of the city. But fans will have to wait until 2027 to experience it for themselves.
Interestingly, Ronaldo is no stranger to the hospitality business. He already owns five hotels in other cities around the world, including Madeira, Lisbon, New York, Madrid, and Marrakech. His Paris hotel is expected to be the largest of his Pestana CR7 brand hotels.
When Ronaldo Announced the Hotel
It was in 2018 that Ronaldo announced his sixth “CR7” hotel would be launching in Paris by 2021. At the time, the Juventus star had two “CR7” hotels already open in Lisbon and another one in Funchal, his hometown and the capital of Madeira island.
The two hotels in Portugal were established in 2016 through a co-venture with the Portuguese group Pestana. Now, Ronaldo's business empire was set to expand with three new outposts in 2020, located in Madrid, New York, and Marrakech. This was in addition to the new Parisian hotel that was planned for the following year.
Ronaldo said in a press release at the time, “It makes perfect sense for the Pestana CR7 brand to be implemented in Paris. One of the most visited cities in the world and a destination that combines the perfect match of elegance and sophistication of the brand.”
What's Next?
It's unclear what Ronaldo's plans are for after he retires from soccer. But it's clear that he has a knack for business and hospitality, and it will be interesting to see what he decides to pursue once his playing days are over.
Despite the setback, the hotel is part of an ambitious project that will eventually include a business park, student residence, shops, and 2,000 bicycle spaces.
In the meantime, fans will just have to wait a little longer to experience his latest hotel venture in Paris.
If you want to read more on Ronaldo, then you may be interested in the time he shocked fans with a gesture.
