Mergers & Acquisitions

🏝️ KSL Capital Partners has acquired The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa. Located in South Carolina, the resort boasts 420 guestrooms, direct beach access, three outdoor pools, and a renowned spa. Since 2012, $47 million has been invested in enhancements. The property includes 40,000 sq ft of event space, accommodating up to 1,000 guests. KSL aims to elevate this prime leisure destination, known for its wellness offerings and beach-inspired décor.

💸 Oakwood Hotel near Gloucester was sold to Kang Hotels for an undisclosed sum, after being listed for over £2 million. Situated on Tewkesbury Road, it features 55 bedrooms on 3 acres within a Grade II-listed Georgian manor. The sale was managed by Christie and Co. Kang Hotels plans a refurbishment to enhance the hotel, including new dining options. The original owner intended additional expansions but sold due to semi-retirement and emigration.

💸 Sep 23, 2025, New York City: The Waldorf Astoria reopens after an eight-year, $6 billion transformation into 375 hotel rooms and 372 condos. Wu Xiaohui's $1.95 billion purchase in 2014 led to ambitious renovation plans thwarted by regulations and high costs. Wu's 2017 arrest for financial crimes resulted in Chinese state control. Now Hilton's luxury flagship, nightly rates start at $1,500, yet financial returns remain uncertain.

🏨 Aareal Bank financed Pullman Paris Montparnasse with Bain Capital, Columbia Threadneedle, and QuinSpark. The 34-story hotel in the 14th Arrondissement features 957 rooms, two restaurants, a sky bar, and 5,000 square meters of meeting space. The financing covers acquisition, guest upgrades, and sustainability efforts, following renovations from 2017 to 2021. Michelle Weiss emphasized Paris's allure and the property's long-term value, while Marc-Olivier Assouline praised Aareal's swift and confident underwriting.

💸 Ace entered sale negotiations with Sortis Holdings in early 2023, intending to sell for USD $85 million, but the deal fell through due to lost contracts and legal issues. Now, Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide is acquiring Ace for USD $90 million, set to close by September 2025. Ace will stay independent within SPW's 94-hotel portfolio, with seven more in the pipeline. This highlights the trend of boutique hotels being absorbed by larger groups.

🏨 Hunter Hotel Advisors facilitated the sale and financing of the 131-room Courtyard Memphis Collierville in Collierville, Tennessee, on September 12, 2025. The hotel, sold by Southern Hospitality LLC to a Texas investor, recently underwent renovations. An $8.7 million bridge loan was secured for the buyer. Located near retail, business, and leisure sites, the property features 1,624 square feet of meeting space, an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a restaurant.

💰 Seren hotel group in Wales partners with Wrightwood Investments for the refurbishment of the Penmaenuchaf hotel in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. Wrightwood, a global private equity firm, secures minority shareholding to aid Seren's venue development and new acquisitions. Neil Kedward, Seren's CEO, and Henry Engelhardt, Wrightwood's director, emphasize exceptional service and Welsh hospitality. This collaboration aims to enhance the Seren experience and promote Welsh culture.

🏨 Emily Goldfischer interviews Barbara Muckermann, CEO of Kempinski Hotels, in the latest episode of *Hospitality Daily*. Barbara discusses her first year leading Kempinski, the world’s oldest luxury hotel brand, reflecting on lessons from her cruise industry career. She reveals insights into Kempinski’s culture, emphasizing an asset-heavy growth approach and future positioning. Hospitality leaders will gain new perspectives on service and strategy in a competitive market.

💰 In 2024 and the first half of 2025, luxury boutique hotels saw record-breaking ADRs at $1,540 and $1,575, respectively. Occupancy rates soared into the 60s and 70s. While room revenues at economy motels fell by -0.5% in Q2, -1.1% in July, and -1.1% in August, luxury hotels like Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc commanded peak rates of €3,500+. With high demand, capital is abundant for top-tier properties, making them highly attractive investment opportunities.

🛑 Newry, Mourne and Down District Council launched a £1 million grant scheme on 15 September 2025 to enhance hotel capacity. This initiative aims to address the shortage of hotel rooms, despite 1.25 million overnight stays in 2024. The scheme requires projects to add at least 15 three-star rooms, with eligible businesses operating for three years. Drop-in sessions are on 23 September in Downpatrick and Newry, and an online workshop on 30 September.