Mergers & Acquisitions

📈 Live Oak Lake was sold to private HNW investors, while Onera was acquired by Summit Hotel Properties, a publicly-traded REIT. Under Canvas bought The Fields, and Marriott acquired Postcard Cabins. These transactions highlight the growing interest in micro-resort projects. A GP fund structure aggregates 8–15 micro-resort projects, offering shared infrastructure and capital raising. Crowdfunding, SBA, and construction lending are key tools in financing, with a sequential approach proving effective for development and scaling.

🏨 Whitbread plans to cut 3,800 UK jobs, converting or selling 197 restaurants by 2031, aiming to boost margins. In FY 2026, adjusted profit before tax was £483m, while statutory profit fell 19% to £298m. Total revenue was stable at £2.92bn. German profits hit £2m. A £97.0p total dividend is maintained. By 2031, they aim to cut £1bn in investment and recycle £1.5bn in assets, anticipating a £10m UK profit dip due to restaurant shifts.

🏨 HEI Hotels & Resorts has added the Embassy Suites Palm Beach Gardens PGA Boulevard in Florida to its portfolio, marking its 21st property in the state. The 160-room hotel is located off I-95, near PGA National Resort. It recently underwent a significant guestroom renovation and will see major lobby upgrades and repositioning of its food and beverage outlet. CEO Anthony Rutledge highlights the property’s high performance, aiming to maximize its value.

📈 PPHE Hotel Group's Q1 2026 revenue rose 8% to £83.8m, driven by London's performance. RePAR increased 4.9% to £100, with room rates up 4.6% to £142.90. The group faced challenges in the Netherlands due to a January VAT rise. PPHE plans to sell a New York site for $33.5m (£24.8m) and acquire Park Plaza London Waterloo for £147.9m. In Italy, it refinanced Art’otel Rome's loan for €27.6m (£24m). Board expects performance to meet market expectations.

🏨 Greene King is selling around 13 Venture Hotels-branded properties across the Midlands and south of England. These hotels, including Ye Olde Talbot in Worcester, offer 420 rooms combined. The group operates 2,700 sites in the UK, including 100 hotels. This move follows the abandoned sale of 39 hotels to RedCat Hospitality for £90 million in June last year. Properties will be marketed individually with Savills to reinvest in core estate priorities.

📈 Gencom and GD Holdings secured a $125 million refinancing for The St. Regis Chicago from Banco Inbursa. The hotel, acquired in 2023, replaced a $76 million loan from Varde Partners. The five-star property, occupying the first 11 floors of a 101-story development, includes 192 keys, 12,000 square feet of event space, and 21,000 square feet of amenities. Dining venues total 38,000 square feet, featuring Miru and Tre Dita.

🏨 Annesley House Hotel, Norwich, listed for £275k leasehold after 40 years. Located on Newmarket Road, it's a 3-star hotel, 10 minutes from city center, and consists of three Georgian buildings and two coach houses. Built circa 1832 on 0.86 acres, it features 31 en-suite rooms, a bar, lounge, and restaurant. Owned by Jill and David Reynolds, now retiring. Sale handled by Simon Jackaman of Christie and Co, highlighting its upscale potential.