Mergers & Acquisitions

Worldwide Hotels Acquires Fives Hotel Johor Bahru City Centre in Malaysia Singapore-based Worldwide Hotels has acquired the 243-key Fives Hotel Johor Bahru City Centre in Malaysia from Malaysia-based SKS Group for an undisclosed sum. Following the acquisition, the property is set to be rebranded under France-based Accor SA's ibis Styles brand. The hotel features food and beverage outlet, a fitness centre, and meeting and banquet facilities. It is strategically located close to the Johor Bahru checkpoint , within walking distance of Komtar JBCC and Johor Bahru City Square , while JB Sentral railway station is approximately a five-minute walk away. The acquisition comes amid growing investor interest in Johor Bahru, supported by the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (“RTS”) Link. Slated to commence in 2027, the cross-border rail link is expected to enhance connectivity between Johor Bahru and Singapore , and further strengthen demand for hospitality assets in the city. Samdoo Corporation Acquires Tower Mill Hotel for AUD28.6 Million in Brisbane, Australia Australia-based Samdoo Corporation has acquired the 70-key Tower Mill Hotel in Brisbane , Queensland , from Australia-based Madison Hotel Group (“Madison”) for AUD28.6 million, which translates to approximately AUD408,600 per key. Situated on a 1,462 square metre ("sqm") freehold site with flexible mixed-use zoning, the nine-storey hotel was built in 1996 and features a food and beverage outlet. The property recently underwent a AUD4.3 million refurbishment , which included upgrades to its guestrooms, bathrooms, roof and electrical systems, the installation of two lifts, and the addition of a new sports bar with 14 electronic gaming machines . Located on the edge of Brisbane's Golden Triangle at 239 Wickham Terrace, the property is adjacent to Brisbane Private Hospital and within walking distance of Roma Street Parkland and Suncorp Stadium . Madison acquired the Tower Mill Hotel for AUD4 million in 2018. Samdoo Coporation, which owns the Hotel Diana brand, has also acquired the former 62-key Quest Hotel Brisbane in 2025 , and rebranded it as Hotel Diana South Brisbane . APA Hotel Acquires Kimpton La Peer Hotel in Los Angeles, US Japan-based APA Hotel Co. Ltd. (“APA Hotel”), through its wholly owned subsidiary, APA Hotel USA, Inc , has acquired the 105-key Kimpton La Peer Hotel in Los Angeles, California . The seller and transaction price were not disclosed. Located in the heart of West Hollywood's Design District , just steps from the intersection of Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard , the hotel occupies a four-storey building . Its facilities include a restaurant and bar, an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, rooftop event space with a pickleball court, and over 743 sqm of indoor and outdoor dining and lounge space . The property is approximately 30-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport and is within walking distance of the city's renowned fashion, art and entertainment districts. Following the acquisition, the hotel will continue to be managed by UK-based InterContinental Hotels Group under the Kimpton La Peer West Hollywood name. AirBorneo Expands into Regional Market with Kuala Lumpur

🏠 Peachtree Group provided a $150 million bridge loan on July 20, 2026, to refinance a four-hotel portfolio with 997 keys in Flamingo Crossings Town Center near Walt Disney World Resort in Winter Garden, Florida. This marks the largest senior hotel bridge loan in Peachtree’s history, highlighting the expansion of their commercial real estate credit platform.

🏨 Peachtree Group issued a $150 million bridge loan to refinance a 997-key, four-hotel portfolio in Flamingo Crossings Town Center, Winter Garden, Florida, adjacent to Walt Disney World Resort. This largest senior bridge loan in Peachtree's history, arranged by JLL, closed in under 45 days. The hotels, developed in 2020-2021, feature a nearly 89% occupancy rate and hold Walt Disney World Gateway Hotel designations. Peachtree's fourth transaction with Doradus Partners highlights strong lender-borrower relationships.

🏨 Marriott's late March acquisition of Lefay Resorts, a luxury wellness brand with two Northern Italy locations, isn't about their 440 keys (0.026% net unit growth) against Marriott's 1.7M keys. Instead, it's about obtaining Lefay's SPA Methodology for better wellness offerings. Marriott aims to attract HENRYs and enhance its luxury portfolio through co-branding, leveraging Lefay's expertise in wellness. This acquisition is part of a broader industry trend towards specialization and partnerships.

🏨 Marcus & Millichap announced the sale of a 98-room Comfort Inn, located in Anderson, Indiana. The transaction, led by investment specialists from their Chicago Oak Brook office and Indiana broker of record, involved private investor groups and was supported by the Miller-Gomes Hotel Team. Built in 1999, the hotel features an indoor pool, meeting space, and a fitness center, and is close to attractions like the Paramount Theatre Centre and Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.

🏆 After eight years of planning and millions invested by host cities, North America hosted the World Cup for the first time in over three decades. The tournament ends with the final on July 19 in New Jersey, featuring Spain and Argentina. The travel industry saw a boost in hotel rates and short-term rentals across 16 host cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. However, U.S. occupancy rates and international visitation were lower than expected.

💰 Fora Travel raised $60 million on July 17, 2026, valuing the five-year-old company at $1 billion. The agency boasts 15,000 advisors in 180 countries, booking over $3 billion in travel since 2021, with one-third in the last five months. Most advisors are new, paying quarterly fees with training. Fora, a Virtuoso member, offers travel benefits at over 4,500 preferred partnerships. Virtuoso counts roughly 20,000 advisors, questioning the "active" status of Fora's advisors.

🏨 London’s BT Tower, acquired by MCR for £270 million in 2024, will transform into a hotel. On July 13, 2026, Orms Architecture revealed plans including podium extension, a public square, and a rooftop pool. Construction begins in 2029, with a 2033 opening. The 1960s façade will host shops, and a revolving observation deck will replace the former restaurant. The project retains the original structure, adding four rooms and a second staircase around the tower’s core.

🏨 Brooks Guest House, a 22-room boutique hotel in Bath, is on the market for £2.85 million. This Grade II-listed Victorian villa features en-suite bedrooms, a guest lounge, a dining room, and a courtyard. Situated near key tourist spots like the Roman Baths, it’s close to Bath Spa railway station with direct links to London and Bristol. Knight Frank’s Matthew Smith manages the sale, highlighting its prime location and tourism appeal.

🏨 Scandic Hotels, in its half-year report, highlighted its planned acquisition of Dalata Hotel Group for €500 million (approximately $545 million). This acquisition involves the operations of 56 hotels with about 12,000 rooms in Ireland and the U.K. Dalata's properties were previously acquired for $1.6 billion by a consortium of Pandox and Eiendomsspar. Scandic, with a net debt ratio of just 0.1 times earnings, is managing the hotels under a contract.