The economy brand of the Accor Group is holding up pretty well in the ongoing financial fiasco that is relentlessly pummeling its competition.

Ibis has just opened its first hotel in Singapore and announced its plan to open in another, the construction already away, in the same city.

Michael Issenberg, chief operating officer and chairman, said that there was no question customers were trading down when asked about how Ibis is measuring up against its up-market competition. “One of the areas that has been hit most is the meetings sector and because ibis does not have a lot of business in that segment, it hasn’t felt the impact like the higher end has.”

Ibis is a “product for the time,” according to Issenberg.

In a time of penny pinching, the international economy brand is performing very well.

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Even with the luxury sector of the hotel market in pain, the Alila Hotels and Resorts group will be expanding their properties to include six new locations this year.

Three of these hotels will be Alila Villas properties, among the cutting edge in ultra luxury.

“These upcoming properties represent a significant milestone in the growth of Alila in both established and emerging destinations across the region,” says Frederic Flageat-Simon, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Alila Hotels and Resort.

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The Hotel Le Bristol Paris will manage the new ultra-deluxe hotel in Abi Dhabi. The new hotel is owned by the National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels.

Hotel Le Bristol is owned by one of the most prestigious and well-respected hotel companies in Europe, the Oetker Hotel Collection.

The Hotel Abi Dhabi is scheduled to open in 2012 and will be setting new standards for the luxury hospitality sector in the Middle East.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, chairman of NCTH, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Oetker Hotel Collection and to work with them to manage Le Bristol Abu Dhabi, as we have recognised the common spirit of the group and the incomparable individuality of the various hotels.

“Superbly located in the heart of Abu Dhabi, this city resort will bring a new dimension of classic European hotel luxury and style infused with French flair to Abu Dhabi. The hotel will extend unparalleled service levels, which will reflect the highly individualised nature of its Parisian sister hotel.”

Le Bristol Abu Dhabi will feature 250 luxury guestrooms with a minimum size of 40 sq m and suites with private fitness and amenities. Guest facilities and services will include various exciting and contemporary gastronomic choices with a high market Café and a gourmet restaurant, a selection of banqueting rooms with daylight and stunning seaside views for up to 300 persons.