Ellen Graeff

Consultant, Frankfurt, Germany

Ellen Graeff consults for Horwath HTL Germany, where her areas of expertise include feasibility studies, project management, digitisation, conceptualisation and long-term strategic planning for real estate and hotel managers, particularly for private investors.


Bio

Ellen Graeff is a Consultant at Horwath HTL Germany, specialising in feasibility studies, project management, digitisation, conceptualisation, and long-term strategic planning for real estate and hotel managers, particularly for private investors. Since joining the firm in July 2021, Ellen has become a key contributor to development and asset management for hotels, with additional expertise in strategy, branding, and hotel operations.

Ellen began her career at Maritim Hotel GmbH before moving to the London headquarters of Marriott Hotels International, where she gained valuable experience in sales. She holds a degree in Tourism Management from Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences, where she focused on International Management, Hotel Management, and Incoming Tourism. Her diploma thesis explored the tourism value chain, laying the groundwork for her deep understanding of the industry.

Following her studies, Ellen refined her skills as an Account Manager at Booking.com, working across Munich and San Francisco. She returned to the hotel sector in 2011 with Accor Hospitality GmbH in Munich, specialising in corporate and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) distribution.

In July 2018, Ellen joined Nemis Consulting as a project manager, where she further developed her expertise in hospitality distribution, marketing, online reputation, and e-commerce. These skills have positioned her as a valuable asset in creating and implementing innovative strategies for the hospitality sector.

Ellen’s breadth of experience across hotel operations, sales, and strategy development, combined with her focus on digitisation and modernisation, allows her to deliver tailored solutions to her clients, supporting them in achieving sustainable growth and operational excellence.

Expert insights

Cutting edge analysis.

Viewpoint

Emerging trends in hotel design

To understand this development, it’s worth taking a closer look at the key societal themes shaping our time–topics directly reflected in how we think, act, and design. The eleven megatrends identified by the Zukunftsinstitut (Future Institute) illustrate this clearly: Sustainability has become a central factor in economic and social decision-making. At the same time, both an aging population and the younger Generation Z are placing more value on health and well-being.

Susann Sparwasser
Susann Sparwasser
Consultant, Germany
Viewpoint

International investors reshape the german-speaking hotel market

Over the past two decades alone, eight hotel brands in Germany have been acquired by international investors or hotel groups, including Innside (Melià, 2007), Steigenberger (Huazhu/H World, 2019), prizeotel (Radisson, 2019), 25hours (Accor, 2016–2020), me and all (Hyatt, 2024), Novum (IHG, 2024), Ruby (IHG, 2025), and now Motel One (PAI, 2025). A similar trend can be observed in Austria, exemplified by Wyndham’s acquisition of Vienna House in 2022. These consolidations are not only accelerating international expansion for the brands involved but are also reshaping the competitive landscape in German-speaking markets. Mergers create synergies that allow combined brands to offer more competitive pricing, putting pressure on independent hotel operators and locally owned brands. But what makes German and Austrian hotel brands so attractive to international investors

Susann Sparwasser
Susann Sparwasser
Consultant, Germany
Viewpoint

Between visibility and independence – the dominant market position of Booking.com

The online travel agency (OTA) Booking.com was founded in Amsterdam in 1996 and is now one of the best-known international booking portals for vacation accommodation.

Susann Sparwasser
Susann Sparwasser
Consultant, Germany
Report

The economic importance of tourism in Germany

Tourism is not only one of the most important economic factors worldwide, but also makes a significant contribution to the German economy.

Susann Sparwasser
Susann Sparwasser
Consultant, Germany
Report

New Technology in Hospitality

As part of the 14th Heilbronn Hospitality Symposium, Horwath HTL, together with the Heilbronn Hospitality Symposium, conducted a survey to assess the view of guests in hotels and guests on new technologies.

Christian Buer
Christian Buer
Managing Partner, Germany
Report

DACH Region Hotels & Chains Report 2024

Our latest report from the German, Swiss and Austrian hotel markets.

Michael Schnürle
Michael Schnürle
Senior Consultant, Germany