Mergers & Acquisitions

🏨 Highgate and Eternam acquired the 191-key Zafolia Hotel Athens, marking Highgate's entry into Greece and expansion in Southern Europe. This follows Eternam's prior investment in Hilton Garden Inn Rome Claridge in July. Alcyon Hospitality Europe, Eternam's third fund, plans to invest €60 million over 18 months in European hospitality. Zafolia Hotel, family-operated for nearly 40 years, will undergo renovations and features a Green Key certification, 191 rooms, and a rooftop pool.

🏨 Lodging Dynamics Hospitality Group expanded its portfolio with the Four Points by Sheraton Anaheim in Provo, Utah on July 13, 2026. They improved operations and guest experiences at this 246-room hotel, which features views of Disneyland Resort fireworks, a 24-hour outdoor pool, and dining options like Tru Grits. Located near Disneyland attractions and the Anaheim Convention Center, the hotel enhances Lodging Dynamics’ reach in Southern California.

🌎 Newmark will enhance Banyan Group's nature-based hospitality platform in a rapidly expanding tourist area. The collaboration focuses on urban, nature, and wildlife hospitality. This strategic move aims to scale operations and leverage Newmark's regional expertise. The region is recognized as one of the fastest-growing in the tourism sector, providing significant growth opportunities for both companies.

💸 UK, H1 2026: Hotel transactions hit £2.1bn, up £500m from H1 2025, capturing 24% of Europe's hotel investment. London led with £1.4bn in deals, attracting global investors. New entrants include OneIM and Punta Na, while CDL and others expand portfolios. Of 32 UK markets, 23 saw RevPAR growth, but only 10 surpassed 2019 levels. Visitor demand, forecasted at 44.2m visits and £33.9bn spending, supports the market. Room supply increase: 0.6% annually.

🏖 Located above Praa Sands, Cornwall, Little Cottage is a 2,422 sq ft beach house designed by architect Alex Michaelis. The modernist home features a 50ft-long living room, three en-suite bedrooms, and a self-contained bedroom shack. It includes a balcony, surf stores, parking spaces, and mooring rights at Porthleven Harbour. The asking price is £2.5 million, and it is listed through Lillicrap Chilcott. For more information, contact +44 1872 273473 or visit lillicrapchilcott.com.

🏨 The Mercure Aberdeen Caledonian Hotel, an 83-bedroom property in Aberdeen's city center, was sold to an anonymous operator for an undisclosed sum. Located on Union Terrace and overlooking Union Terrace Gardens, this historic hotel is constructed from white Kemnay granite. The sale was brokered by Graham and Sibbald, represented by Katie Tait and James Williamson, for seller Millemont. The transaction attracted significant market interest due to the hotel's prominence.

🏨 Banyan Group partners with Newmark Hotels & Reserves, acquiring a majority stake in a phased approach. Newmark, with 26 properties across 7 African countries, joins Banyan, expanding its portfolio to nearly 130 establishments in 28 countries. Founded in 2007, Newmark will retain its brand and identity. This strategic move aims to enhance Banyan's presence in Africa, leveraging Newmark's local expertise and Banyan's international network.

🎭 The Royal Ballet and Opera and NoMad London, located on Bow Street, Covent Garden, have formalized a partnership. This collaboration includes artistic exchanges like displaying a 1963 Cecil Beaton costume for two weeks and a social media campaign with principal dancer Yasmine Naghdi. NoMad London recently secured a £73 million refinancing loan in October 2023 and plans to build upon its cultural identity, bolstered by Hilton's majority stake in Sydell Group in 2024.

📈 This summer, the Nordics saw record-breaking hotel activity. Foreign leisure guests increased significantly, boosting hotel stays and expenditures. Investment transactions from January to August reached EUR 751 million, surpassing last year's figures by 5% when excluding the 2025 Midstar deal. Norway's July guest-nights exceeded four million, a record since 1986. Stockholm's RevPAR rose 12%, while Copenhagen's occupancy hit 88.2%. Denmark's new restrictions on city-center developments reflect robust high-end demand.

🏨 Accor's expansion plan in India is under review after a failed partnership with Treebo Hospitality Ventures. The French hotel group, led by CEO Duncan O’Rourke, aims to boost its presence, offering Ibis and Mercure brands access to smaller Indian cities. Despite the setback, Accor remains open to new partnerships in India and globally, showing a continued commitment to growth and acquisitions.