Mergers & Acquisitions

🏨 Apex Hotels Ltd reported a 21% revenue increase for the year ending 30 April 2025, fueled by acquisitions and enhanced trading. Operating profit rose by 4% to £13.6m, despite weaker winter trading for recent acquisitions. They acquired The Vineyard Hotel in Berkshire and DoubleTree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro, rebranded as Apex Dunblane Hydro. Investments were made in Pine Trees Hotel, Pitlochry, and Apex Waterloo Place, Edinburgh. Chairman Ian Springford highlighted pivotal portfolio reshaping and future growth plans.

💸 Affiliates of Gencom reacquired a majority interest in The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami, announced on December 23, 2025. The 115-room hotel, initially purchased in 2011, was sold to Hersha Hospitality Trust in 2017. Gencom's reacquisition aligns with investment strategies in high-quality assets. The hotel, opened in 2002, recently underwent renovations in 2018. Coconut Grove, a growing Miami neighborhood, features new developments like Cocowalk, enhancing its appeal for leisure and business travel.

🏨 Rosewood London, owned by the Cheng family's CTF Development, is up for sale as New World Development Co. faces liquidity issues. Previously valued at £450m in 2016, the hotel was bought for £135m in 2006. An £85m renovation in 2013 turned the former Chancery Court into a luxury hotel with 264 rooms, 44 suites, and 11 event spaces. Built in 1914, the property was formerly the Pearl Assurance Company headquarters until 1989.

🏨 Hunter Hotel Advisors announced the sale of Aloft Hotel Plano and Aloft Hotel Frisco in Texas to Touchstone Hospitality Fund, LLC. The two hotels, built in 2008, have 272 rooms combined. The sale was led by Kami Burnette and Mason McDavid, highlighting buyer interest in Dallas Fort Worth’s select-service hotels. Both properties benefit from proximity to business and leisure demand generators. The new owner plans to optimize RevPAR through economies of scale and strategic operations.

📖 Rob Blood, Founder of Lark, revisits the company’s growth a year after its major deal with Life House. This episode centers on scaling hospitality, overcoming integration hurdles, and building culture under pressure. Emphasizing the operationalization of values, it highlights the role of storytelling in establishing identity and what leadership qualities are crucial amid complexity.

🏨 Chris and Jane Berridge acquired The Old Lodge in Malton, a 17th Century Tudor mansion with 29 en-suite rooms, set in 3.6 acres, from Ajay Abhaya Kumar and Anupama Banerji. The sale, facilitated by Christie and Co, was completed swiftly, although the price remains undisclosed. This is the Berridges' first venture into hospitality, and they expressed enthusiasm for maintaining the landmark’s legacy with the support of the dedicated staff.

📈 Trinity Investments acquired The Hoxton, Poblenou, a 240-key hotel in Barcelona, announced on Thursday. This marks their third European hotel acquisition since launching their London office in 2023. Opened in 2022, the hotel is in Barcelona’s 22@ district, near Westfield Glòries Mall and the Design Museum. The acquisition aligns with Trinity's strategy to invest in cities with robust tourism and long-term growth potential, joining The Standard London and Park Hyatt Zurich in their portfolio.

🏖 Jon Staff, originally seeking $500,000 for 10 cabins, was rejected by the Sharks. Years later, Marriott acquired his company, now with 1,200+ cabins across 29 locations, generating $41M in revenue. His concept targets digital overload with 200-square-foot cabins, sans WiFi, for city-dwellers needing micro-escapes. By 2026, 91% of Americans plan to travel but often can't afford lengthy vacations. Major hotel chains are now investing in nearby, nature-centric getaways, marking a shift towards regular, brief city escapes.