Mergers & Acquisitions

🏨 Aperture Hotels has acquired The Ellis, a six-story building in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, and plans to convert it into a 100-room Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel by 2028. Originally built in 1922 and expanded in 1928, the 64,000-square-foot property will feature a restaurant and speakeasy-inspired bar. Located near major venues like the Phoenix Convention Center, the project aims to blend historic preservation with modern hospitality, collaborating with Acumen Development Partners.

💸 ClearCourse, in 2026, acquired two hospitality brands: SK Chase and Elina PMS. SK Chase, founded in 2003 in Edinburgh, serves luxury hotels, while London-based Elina PMS, established in 2007, aids reservation management. These acquisitions mark ClearCourse's fourth in 2026. Both companies will enhance ClearCourse’s offerings, joining other brands like Giftpro, with the help of ClearAccept, a payment platform. The integration aims to innovate and strengthen hospitality operations across the UK.

🏨 Constellation Hotels, led by Gianluca Muzzi, plans to transform a former governmental building in Paris into a luxury hotel. The project's global costs exceed €300 million. The hotel will initially be managed by Maybourne under a management contract. Former Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs was hired last September to lead Constellation's new management platform, with plans to launch a new brand collection focused on quality and joy by the end of the year.

🏨 Concord Hospitality took over management of Poteat Hotels’ seven-property portfolio in North Carolina, with 711 rooms across New Bern, Greenville, Wilmington, Boone, and High Point. This includes properties like the 98-room Courtyard New Bern and 115-room Courtyard Greenville. The transition began October 1 with the Best Western Wilmington and continued with other locations through October 12. Concord's COO, Will Loughran, highlighted the partnership's alignment with Concord’s values and local expertise.

📈 Whitbread's upcoming general meeting is targeted by Corvex Management, which seeks to appoint a new director. Corvex, previously advocating a company sale, now requests a board seat to influence capital allocation. Whitbread's £1.5bn sale and leaseback strategy is critiqued, with pre-tax profit down and UK gilt yields high. Accommodation sales rose 3% and revpar by 2% at Premier Inn UK & Ireland for the 26 weeks to 27 August. Whitbread's capex and revpar strategy remains under scrutiny.

🏨 Highline Hospitality Partners (HHP) acquired the Courtyard by Marriott Pittsburgh North/Cranberry Woods in October 2026. This marks their 23rd hotel investment and sixth acquisition this year. Located in Cranberry, Pennsylvania, the 125-room hotel was originally built in 2012 and recently renovated. HHP also owns the nearby Pittsburgh Marriott North, aiming for operational efficiencies. Avion Hospitality will manage both properties, enhancing HHP's presence in Cranberry Township.

🏨 Highline Hospitality Partners (HHP) acquired the Courtyard by Marriott Pittsburgh North/Cranberry Woods, marking their 23rd hotel investment and sixth acquisition in 2026. Located in Cranberry Township, PA, the 125-room hotel recently underwent a comprehensive renovation. HHP now manages a portfolio of 23 hotels with over 5,600 guestrooms and $1.7 billion in assets. Avion Hospitality will manage the property, enhancing operational efficiencies with the neighboring Pittsburgh Marriott North.

🏨 Radisson Hotel Group aims to double its presence in India to 500 hotels by 2030 without acquisitions. Instead, CEO Federico González plans to partner with Indian hotel groups, leveraging their network and loyalty program. Radisson already collaborates with MBD Group and seeks further Indian ties for access to its technology and operating systems. This strategic move highlights Radisson's focus on growth in India by integrating local partnerships rather than capital-heavy acquisitions.

🌎 WTTC announced a $2 billion investment in Malta during its Global Summit in Valletta. By 2026, Travel & Tourism is projected to add $4.9 billion to Malta's economy, comprising 16.9% of GDP and supporting over 20% of jobs. In 2025, Malta led European tourism growth with a 16.8% GDP increase. International visitor spending rose 16.1%. Malta hosted 200+ global CEOs, reflecting strong confidence in its tourism sector and future growth.

💸 TKO offers $2 billion cash to acquire Service Properties Trust's 93-hotel portfolio, totaling 21,110 rooms/suites. Properties span Sonesta, Hyatt Place, Radisson, and Crowne Plaza brands. The deal aims to boost SVC's liquidity for debt reduction and strategic repositioning. TKO CEO Jim Koehler believes the acquisition will unlock the portfolio's full potential, offering significant value to SVC shareholders while simplifying operations and reducing capital intensity.