Ibis Budget

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.^[3] By 2004, 229 Etap Hôtel locations opened in France, and 81 elsewhere in Europe.^[4] To fine-tune its economy segment, the Accor group privileged the development of Etap Hôtel over its other budget brand Formule 1.^[5]

In 2008, the chain had been awarded Best Interior Design by the European Hotel Design Awards.^[6]

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.^[7] The "Sweet Bed" was rolled out throughout the ibis brands, the first bed entirely designed by a hotel group.^[8] The mattresses, pillows and digital access were upgraded.^[9] The lobby was turned into a living space.^[10] Following this restructure, the ibis megabrand became the leading hotel operator in Europe in 2013 with 1,277 hotels.^[11] The first Ibis Budget opened in Tangier, Morocco, in November 2011.^[12]

In 2013, Ibis Budget became Spain's first super-economy hotel chain with 15 hotels in the country.^[13] 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.^[14]

In April 2017, Ibis Budget introduced the new Nest rooms which include a pull-down bed.^[15] In January 2019, ibis Budget launched a discount offer for rainy days.^[16] In October 2019, Ibis Budget launched in Singapore.^[17]

The last remaining hotel with the old Etap name was located in Belfast; however, this officially rebranded as Ibis Budget on 1st December 2024.^[18] The property in which the business operates, under Essendi (formally known as AccorInvest^[19]), was sold to Andras House in March 2024.^[20]