Mergers & Acquisitions

💰 The Social Hub plans a £200 million hybrid hospitality and community venue in Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge district. This marks a new phase in regenerating the formerly long-vacant site.

🏢 South Korea, 2024: Taekwang Industrial acquires Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun from KT&G for KRW250 billion, equating to KRW625 million per key. The 400-key hotel, completed in 2016, covers 31,837 sqm and is eight minutes from Hoehyeon Station. Nippon REIT buys four Japan hotels, including three APA hotels and a Hotel Vista for JPY12.2 billion. In Australia, Singh Enterprises spent AUD14.7 million on Soho Brisbane Hotel and a church. Singapore’s Coliwoo and Macritchie acquired a property for SGD40 million to convert to co-living spaces. Cove acquires Casa Mia Coliving, adding 500 rooms to its portfolio.

🏨 PHOENIX, Arizona— Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, a 1,003-room hotel, was sold by JLL's Hotels & Hospitality group in one of Arizona’s largest hotel sales. Built in 2008 and renovated for $45 million in 2020, the 33-story hotel features 112,000 square feet of meeting space. Located near the Phoenix Convention Center, its amenities include a 4,300-square-foot fitness center, three dining venues, and an outdoor pool. The sale highlights Phoenix's dynamic lodging market.

📈 U.S. companies with strategic business travel programs can see up to 30% higher revenue, according to a study by GBTA and ASTA. Analyzing data from 3,200 firms across 17 industries, it shows a 1% increase in travel spending leads to a 0.20% revenue rise. Larger firms, with over 1,000 employees, spend $2.4 million on travel, benefiting from economies of scale. Industries like utilities and healthcare show high per-employee travel spend, while rigid travel policies may limit returns.

🏨 The Highfield hotel in Driffield, East Yorkshire, is on the market for £2.25m by Christie and Co after 10 years with current owners Andy and Lindsey Lampard. This Victorian-era, Grade II listed property features 12 bedrooms and sits on seven acres of land. It includes two AA Rosettes and is in the Michelin Hotel Guide. Originally built in the late 19th century, the property was transformed from a private residence to a hotel by the Lampards in 2015.

💸 UK: In November 2025, PPHE secured a £95.8 million refinancing deal with Aareal Bank for Park Plaza London Riverbank. The loan's maturity extends from June 2026 to June 2030. Until June 2026, the interest rate remains at 3.248%, shifting to 5.72% fixed for 85% of the loan thereafter, with the remainder on a floating rate. The loan's amortisation removal is expected to mitigate the higher interest cost impact on cash flow.

💸 Sonder, with 7,500 furnished units across 37 cities, filed for Chapter 7 on November 14, 2025. After forming an alliance in August 2024, Marriott ended its licensing with Sonder. Similar to WeWork, Sonder’s collapse stemmed from unsustainable fixed-cost lease agreements, raising $839 million in VC funding. Sonder’s strategy relied on rapid revenue growth via leasing, leading to structural unprofitability when economic conditions shifted. Pedan’s Kasa group acquired multiple ex-Sonder properties, including three in Florida, Nashville, and Detroit.

💵 Mews and YouLend have provided nearly €2 million in funding to hotels across Europe and the US. Hotels can access flexible funding through Mews, with France being the latest addition. Eligible customers can apply online, with funding decisions made in 24-72 hours for amounts between €3,000 and €1,000,000, based on card payment volumes. Repayments are a fixed percentage of daily revenue, aligning with business performance. Mews powers 12,500+ customers across 85+ countries.

🏨 Maine Course Hospitality Group acquired the Homewood Suites by Hilton in Saratoga Springs, New York, adding its 27th hotel. The 113-suite property is near Saratoga Race Course and Skidmore College. Amenities include in-room kitchens, breakfast, socials, a fitness center, and an indoor pool. CEO Sean Riley expressed enthusiasm for joining the Saratoga community. The acquisition strengthens MCHG's presence across New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and Florida, as they continue expanding their portfolio.

🏠 New York City, 1624: Hudson Yards opened in 2019. 📍 35 Hudson Yards, a 92-story mixed-use skyscraper, includes the 212-room Equinox Hotel. 💰 Rooms can cost over $1,000 per night. Mori Trust bought the hotel's first 38 floors for $541 million. 🔝 Equinox Hotel features wellness amenities and a Sleep Lab. 🌍 Mori Trust also owns properties in Manhattan and other U.S. cities. In March 2024, Equinox secured $1.8 billion for loans and growth. 🏝️ Equinox Hotels is expanding to Anguilla.