Mergers & Acquisitions

💵 In Grass Valley and Nevada City, CA, subsidiaries of Community Bankshares Inc. secured a $13.9M bridge loan, transitioning to a $14.3M USDA loan. This supports the acquisition and operations of The National Exchange Hotel and The Holbrooke Hotel. The loan preserves 128 jobs, fosters economic growth, and was closed in 35 days. The historic hotels, renovated in 2020, feature 66 rooms and generate 60% of revenue from dining. Operations are managed by Acme Hospitality and Horizon Hotel Group.

🏨 Mesa West Capital has provided $55 million in first mortgage debt for the refinancing of the Burton House Beverly Hills, a 186-room hotel in West Los Angeles. The five-year, nonrecourse loan supports the hotel's recent $13.7 million renovation, which included redesigns and new amenities. Located at Beverly Hills' southern gateway, the hotel is positioned to improve its market standing and performance as part of the Tribute Portfolio Hotels & Resorts brand.

📍 Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Ovolo Group are partnering to integrate five Ovolo hotels into Wyndham's brand by fall 2025. This includes over 450 rooms in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, and Hong Kong. Ovolo Central (41 rooms) in Hong Kong, Ovolo Nishi (85 rooms) in Canberra, Ovolo South Yarra (123 rooms) in Melbourne, Ovolo The Valley (103 rooms) in Brisbane, and Ovolo Woolloomooloo (100 rooms) in Sydney will join Wyndham's portfolio and reward program.

🏨 BH Group has acquired the Burlington Hotel in Eastbourne, East Sussex, along with four other properties, including the Imperial Hotel in Exmouth and the St Ives Bay Hotel. The Burlington, a Grade II-listed Victorian establishment, offers 159 ensuite rooms and is known for its seafront views. The deal, facilitated by Christie and Co., marks BH Group's entry into the stay-cation market. Despite industry challenges, demand for quality UK hotels remains high.

🏨 The Beaufort Arms Hotel, a historic 16th-century inn in Raglan, Monmouthshire, is for sale at £1.5 million. It features 15 en-suite rooms, a brasserie, and a function room in a converted chapel. The property offers medieval to New England-style interiors and is near wedding venues and Raglan Golf Club. Marketed by Christie and Co, it holds accolades such as ‘Best Kept Public House in Gwent’ and a four-star inn status from Visit Wales.

🏨 Cumbria-based Strands and Screes Holdings secures a £900k loan from NatWest for purchasing and upgrading the Strands Hotel, Screes Inn, and Strands Brewery. Renovations in Wasdale aim to expand brewing, distilling, and create local jobs, with the Screes Inn reopening permanently in May 2026. Dave Keeler leads the project, having started his career at the Strands Hotel in 1982. North West law firm Harrison Drury advised on the acquisition.

💼 In June 2025, Dalata Hotel Group reversed its decision and accepted a €1.4bn (£1.22bn) offer from Pandox and Eiendomsspar, after initially rejecting a lower bid in early June. The offer represents a 35.5% premium on Dalata's March share price. The takeover, expected to finalize in Q4 2025, will see Dalata become a subsidiary of Pandox Ireland Tuck Limited, enhancing Pandox's Northern European presence. Dalata operates 56 hotels across Ireland, the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands.

🛳️ Hays Travel acquires Victoria Travel Group, including Cruise.co.uk and Seascanner, marking its first OTA acquisition. The UK and German divisions reported a £252 million transaction value. This is Hays' seventh acquisition since 2019, following its takeover of Spear Travels and Miles Morgan Travel. Chief executive Chris Gardner remains in charge. Key figures are Jonathon Woodall-Johnston and Jo Rzymowska joining as non-executive directors. The acquisition aligns with Hays’ cruise strategy and growth ambitions.

🏨 Rambler Group Holdings acquired The Oaks Hotel & Leisure Club in Burnley, originally listed for £1.8 million, built in 1885 with 51 rooms on 3.5 acres. Located in Reedley, near M65, it offers easy access to Manchester and Leeds. Lavender Hotels sold it to reinvest in other assets. Future plans include refurbishments and expansion. Legal advice was provided by Harrison Drury and Onecall Hospitality. Rambler aims to enhance guest experiences while preserving the hotel's historic charm.