Debrecen4U
January 13, 2026
A New Era for Debrecen’s Hotel Scene: Hotel Lycium Reopens Under the Accor Brand
In January 2026, the fully renovated Hotel Lycium Debrecen**** reopened its doors, now operating under the Handwritten Collection brand of Accor, one of the world’s leading hotel groups.
The investment of more than HUF 1 billion elevates Debrecen’s tourism and conference offerings to a new level, further strengthening the city’s international position.
The comprehensive renovation—completed in just eleven months by the SZINORG Group—marks a milestone for Debrecen and the region, as the hotel becomes the first non‑capital property in Hungary to join Accor’s Handwritten Collection.
The goal of the investment was to create a hotel that not only meets international hospitality standards but also serves the needs of Debrecen’s rapidly growing business and conference tourism sector. The project was implemented following a call for proposals by Debreceni Vagyonkezelő Zrt., with Szinerty Kft. (part of the SZINORG Group) committing to the long‑term lease, renovation, and operation of the hotel in partnership with an international brand.
The renovation renewed all interior spaces and technical systems. The lobby, reception, and public areas were redesigned to meet Accor’s strict international standards. A new 80‑seat restaurant and the Palette Lounge Bar were created, while the conference rooms, building engineering, intelligent systems, and kitchen technology were all modernised.
The hotel now offers 92 fully refurbished rooms, including superior and deluxe categories and elegant suites. Its five modern conference rooms can accommodate up to 200 guests, positioning Hotel Lycium Debrecen**** as a key player in the city’s MICE sector. Its direct connection to the Kölcsey Centre, along with joint operation and sales with Mercure Debrecen, further expands the city’s event‑hosting capacity.
Launched in 2023, the Handwritten Collection brings together hotels with distinctive personalities that reflect the character of the people who care for them. The brand believes hotels are places where genuine connections are formed and authentic travel experiences deepen. Hosts at Handwritten Collection properties invite guests to discover a fresh yet familiar style of hospitality.
The renewed Hotel Lycium Debrecen**** is not just accommodation—it is a meeting point where design, culture, and business intersect. The investment demonstrates Debrecen’s long‑term ambition to remain a major player in Central Europe’s tourism and business landscape through strategic development and strong local–international partnerships.
At the official opening on 12 January 2026, Mayor László Papp recalled that the complex created in the early 2000s—including the congress centre, the MODEM Modern and Contemporary Art Centre, and Hotel Lycium—was unique at the time, reflecting ambitions typically associated with a capital city. He emphasised that Debrecen has long thought of itself as Hungary’s “second capital,” capable of leveraging its strengths to achieve significant growth.
“In Debrecen, we think as the country’s second capital — a city that knows how to use its strengths to achieve progress and success, setting Debrecen on a new trajectory of growth,” the mayor emphasized. He added that one of the city’s most important and forward‑looking decisions came in 2017, when the municipality purchased the hotel building — previously the only part of the complex not owned by the city. As a result, all three major buildings are now in municipal ownership.
He emphasized that it is extremely important for the city to find those partners from the business sector with whom, through cooperation, it can accelerate this development. This is how the idea was born one and a half to two years ago to look for a business partner for the renovation of Hotel Lycium, and in this the SZINORG Group proved to be an exceptionally good partner. The iconic downtown hotel will henceforth operate as part of one of the world’s largest international hotel chains, under the Accor Group’s Handwritten Collection brand name. He pointed out that, in addition to business tourism, Debrecen is also striving very strongly to broaden the opportunities for conference tourism. “The largest congress centre outside the capital operates in the immediate vicinity of the building, within this building complex, and together with Főnix Rendezvényszervező Nonprofit Kft. and the city’s hotel operators and stakeholders, our aim is to give new momentum to the city’s and the region’s conference tourism in the coming years,” the mayor added.
Frank Reul, Vice President of Development for Accor’s premium, midscale and economy hotel brands (Eastern Europe, Balkans, Italy and Greece), said that every hotel in the Handwritten Collection is unique, but reflects its own authentic story tailored to the location, which has been achieved in this case as well. “Hungary is a very important partner for Accor. In recent years, we have significantly expanded our hotels in Hungary—we now have nearly 30 hotels operating in the country—and we operate nearly 4,500 rooms,” he emphasized. He added that conference tourism is an extremely valuable segment of tourism – perhaps one of the most important – and that this hotel will primarily enrich Debrecen.
The reopening of Hotel Lycium Debrecen not only marks the renovation of the building, but also the beginning of a new era in the life of our city, especially in the field of business and event tourism, Marossy Virág, CEO of Debreceni Vagyonkezelő Zrt. She emphasized that in recent months, the hotel has undergone a complete aesthetic and energy renovation: the guest rooms, common areas, and the entire image of the hotel have been renewed. Guests are welcomed by a modern yet personal atmosphere, where every detail is designed for comfort and uniqueness. She added that the new brand fits perfectly with the needs of Debrecen’s business and cultural life and brings a fresh approach to the city’s hotel offerings.
As part of the renovation, the creation of a new restaurant within the building will further enrich the guest experience and increase the functionality of the hotel. In addition, the former restaurant has also been renovated, which primarily supports the events of the Kölcsey Center, the CEO emphasized. The renovation of Hotel Lycium not only lays the foundation for the hotel’s future, but also contributes significantly to the development of Debrecen’s conference tourism and hospitality sector.
According to Sándor Szabó, CEO of SZINORG Universal Zrt. and managing director of Szinerty Kft., the renovation of the hotel serves to preserve the values of the past, introduce new colors, and open up new opportunities in Debrecen’s accommodation offerings. The guest rooms have been completely renovated: new coverings, doors, beds, and furniture have been installed, while a new lobby, an 80-seat restaurant, and renovated common areas await visitors on the ground floor. The conference rooms have been equipped with modern technical equipment, the building services and fire protection systems have been modernized, and the complete renovation of the kitchen enables a high level of service synergy between the hotel and the Kölcsey Center. He expressed his hope that, in addition to general tourism, business tourism will also soon strengthen in Debrecen and, in parallel, at Hotel Lycium.
Building on the knowledge base of the University of Debrecen, Hotel Lycium and the Kölcsey Center could jointly become a tourism research center that could host professional events recognized not only domestically but also internationally in the future. The CEO emphasized that in the coming years, they intend to use the building wisely, the high-quality renovation of which is already clearly visible. They will continue to follow this approach during operation, with the goal of being a stable and reliable partner to the city of Debrecen for many decades to come.
Diána Széles, Deputy Mayor of Debrecen responsible for tourism, pointed out that 28 years ago, when the political force currently leading the municipality began to govern the city, other municipalities were still considering implementing welfare developments. Debrecen, however, was already focused on boosting tourism and creating the conditions for this: more accommodation, an international airport, and a motorway leading to the city. This trend only grew stronger when the eastern region of the country, and with it the city, gained the support of the current government. It was during this period that Debrecen’s hotel capacity to accommodate international guests began to grow significantly. This process continues to this day, with cooperation with Accor and other major international hotel chains playing a very important role.
The city is now highly accessible, offers quality hotel services, and already has — or will soon have — major attractions that make it well worth a visit. As examples, Diána Széles highlighted the planned openings of the Hungarian Natural History Museum and the Transport Museum in Debrecen. With the renovation of Hotel Lycium Debrecen and the city’s renewed presence in the conference‑tourism market, Debrecen is reclaiming the position its leaders envisioned decades ago. The city has become a valuable tourism destination, and its success depends on dedicated professionals who care deeply about their country, their city, and their profession, and who bring a high level of expertise to their work. According to Diána Széles, Debrecen is fortunate to have such people in its tourism sector — and they deserve sincere appreciation.
Jean Wendling, Vice President for Accor’s Eastern European operations, expressed his pleasure at representing the company in Debrecen, joining this partnership, and working together to strengthen the city’s visibility. He noted that Accor is Hungary’s market‑leading hotel operator, offering brands from economy to luxury. The company aims to support the Debrecen partnership not only with its operational expertise, but also with Accor’s global network, marketing strength, and extensive brand portfolio. He added that Accor brings both international and local experience to the table — including nearly 30 years of operating the Budapest Congress Center — something the group is particularly proud of. According to him, Debrecen has evolved into a dynamic economic, educational, and cultural hub over the past decades.
Recent large‑scale industrial investments and the growing presence of international companies have created a strong foundation for expanding Debrecen’s conference and event tourism. The shared goal of the city, SZINORG, Szinerty Kft., and Főnix Rendezvényszervező Kft. is to further strengthen Debrecen’s position as Eastern Hungary’s leading conference centre, both nationally and internationally.
Jean Wendling expressed his gratitude to the City of Debrecen, SZINORG, Szinerty Kft., and Főnix Rendezvényszervező Kft. for their trust and partnership. He emphasized that they are confident this collaboration will inject new momentum into Debrecen’s conference tourism and evolve into a long‑term success story—demonstrating how municipalities, investors, tourism experts, and international partners can work together to create genuine value.
After the speeches, Mayor László Papp, Jean Wendling, Zita Dobos, and Sándor Szabó signed a cooperation agreement, which was followed by a ceremonial ribbon‑cutting.
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
