Lewis Catchpole - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers

2 min

Larchbay offloads historic Farnham hotel for £12m

🏨 An undisclosed hotel group acquired The Bush Hotel Farnham from Larchbay for £12 million. The historic hotel, dating back to 1618, is located in Surrey and features 95 bedrooms with plans for 35 more. Larchbay owned it for eight years, recently completing a refurbishment. Knight Frank and Simon Stevens Associates managed the sale. The acquisition highlights robust hotel investment activity as of 2026, with strong trading performance attracting significant buyer interest.

3 min

The hospitality sector cannot afford to overlook AI

💻 78% of hotel chains use AI, with 89% planning expansion, but only 8% have a strategy. Trust in AI is rated 6.6/10, with reliance at 4.7. AI-driven transactions soared 600% from September 2023 to January 2024. 42% of travelers use AI for trip planning. Barriers include lack of expertise and ROI measurement. Effective AI use improves business intelligence, chatbots, and personalized bookings, enhancing guest experience, without replacing human roles.

2 min

LondonMetric acquires nine Premier Inn hotels for £89m

🏨 LondonMetric acquired nine Premier Inn hotels for £89 million. The deal includes 955 bedrooms, delivering a net initial yield of 5.3% with 30-year leases, generating £5 million annual rent. Rent reviews occur every five years, linked to the consumer price index. The hotels are located in the South East, including Southampton Airport and Milton Keynes. Whitbread, as the seller, contributes £11.3 million annually, 2.7% of LondonMetric’s total rent. LondonMetric now owns 22 Premier Inns.

1 min

Down Hall reports 75% rise in conference enquiries

🏨 Down Hall Hotel, Spa and Estate reported a 75% rise in conference enquiry revenue between 2022-2024, with a 62% increase in confirmed conference revenue. In 2025, enquiries rose by 14% and bookings by 7.5%. Wellness event add-ons surged by 82% annually. The dining sector saw a 75% uplift, driven by outdoor dining. The estate, located on 110 acres, features 12 event spaces and 98 rooms. EcoSmart Silver Accreditation was achieved, and The Charles Gardens venue will open in 2026.

2 min

New owner acquires Middleham’s The Wensleydale Hotel

🏨 The Wensleydale Hotel in Middleham, owned by the Merchie family since 2019, has been sold to Oliver Kwok after six years. This 18th-century hotel features 17 en suite bedrooms, a restaurant, a bar, and a private dining room. Middleham, known for its horseracing stables, enhances the hotel's attraction. Kwok plans to focus on sustainability while supporting the community. The sale, conducted by Christie and Co, marks their eighth major sale in the Yorkshire Dales' National Park in four years.

2 min

RIU opens second London hotel near Westminster

🏨 RIU Hotels expanded in London, opening Hotel Riu Plaza London The Westminster, its second site after the July 2023 launch of Hotel Riu Plaza London Victoria. This 464-room hotel, 15 minutes from Victoria, is near Westminster landmarks. Built in 2003, refurbished in 2021, it joins RIU Plaza's urban portfolio, now 13 strong, including cities like New York and Berlin. Positioned near UK intelligence HQs, its design nods to espionage. Expansion in major cities continues with projects like a third New York hotel.

1 min

Your Place launches Bower House in London

🏨 Your Place is launching Bower House, a 10-room hotel in Pimlico, London, in March 2026. This marks their third London property. Gabe von der Heyde has led the restoration and design, featuring antiques and bespoke artwork. Prices start at £120 per night, with breakfast bags and room service available. The family-run company focuses on restoring historic buildings for boutique stays. Founder Serena von der Heyde aims to provide stylish, quality accommodations at affordable rates.

2 min

Hull’s Ibis hotel brought to market for £7.5m

📍 Hull, December 2025: A purpose-built hotel, currently leased to Accor UK Economy Hotels and operating as an Ibis, is up for sale at £7.5 million. The hotel comprises 106 rooms over four floors, with a lobby, bar, and dining room on the ground floor. The location near the A63 and M62 offers easy access. Savills Manchester's Tom Cunningham highlights it as a prime investment opportunity in Hull, appealing to both business and leisure visitors.

2 min

Fire forces evacuation at Hove’s Imperial Hotel

🔥 Hove, December 23, 2025, Imperial Hotel: A fire broke out at 3:11 PM on the fourth floor. East Sussex Fire and Rescue responded with multiple engines. Guests and staff were evacuated; one person was treated for injuries. Firefighters used an aerial ladder and breathing apparatus. Crews stayed until 7:27 PM. The fire, deemed accidental, was caused by an extractor fan fault. Police and ambulance services were also involved. No further injuries were reported.

2 min

UKH urges protection of hospitality apprenticeship standards

📖 UKHospitality has urged the UK government to preserve hospitality apprenticeship standards amidst a current review. Chief executive Allen Simpson emphasized the importance of these standards for youth employment and sector growth. He warned that reducing the relatively few, low-cost standards could harm recruitment and training, risking a two-tier economy. UKHospitality seeks a 24-month guarantee for standards while collaborating on future skills needs, to ensure opportunities remain accessible to all.

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