Mergers & Acquisitions

🏠 Real estate investment group DoveHill acquired the historic White Barn Inn in Kennebunk, Maine, part of Auberge Resorts. Opened in the 1970s, it's 90 minutes from Boston and comprises 13 rooms, 8 junior suites, 1 studio suite, 5 cottage suites, and "The Cora Houseboat." The inn is famous for its luxury spa and culinary excellence. DoveHill, through its Opportunity Fund 2, targets unique, irreplaceable properties, focusing on iconic and high-barrier-to-entry markets. Auberge Resorts will continue management.

💸 Irish property investor Paddy McKillen awarded over £700m in a dispute with Qatari owners of London's luxury hotels Claridge’s, the Berkeley, and the Connaught. The 2015 consultancy agreement entitled McKillen to 36% of hotel value increase, estimated at £6bn. The London Court of International Arbitration's ruling suggests hotel values were between £4bn and £4.25bn. Partnership ended in 2022, with investors disputing asset coverage. Both parties can challenge, but successful appeals are rare.

🏨 Castle Hotel in Tamworth, a Grade II listed property from the 17th century, was sold by Watling Real Estate. Closed since January 2025, it has 20 ensuite bedrooms, two event suites, an 80-seat restaurant, and a bar. The former nightclub received 2022 planning consent to convert into two apartments. Located near Tamworth Castle, the 20,409 sq ft site will be refurbished and reopened by a private investor, promising new jobs and visitors.

🏨 DoveHill has acquired the White Barn Inn in Kennebunk, Maine. Auberge Resorts Collection will continue managing the property, which features guest cottages, a luxury spa, a pool, and the Cora Houseboat. DoveHill plans enhancements to improve the luxury experience. CEO Jake Wurzak emphasized the inn's iconic status and unique character. Charles Paloux noted the acquisition aligns with DoveHill's strategic focus on distinctive hotel investments through their DoveHill Opportunity Fund 2.

📈 Founded in 2021, Ennismore manages 180+ hotels and 500 bars/restaurants across 16 brands. In 2022, Accor sold 10.8% to a Qatari consortium for €185M, valuing Ennismore at €2B. Accor holds 62% and might list Ennismore, aligning with its simplification strategy. Expansion plans include openings in Nashville, Chicago, Mexico City, Zurich, and Sydney. Competitive lifestyle segment sees Accor leading against Marriott, Hilton, and others. RevPAR for Accor's lifestyle hotels grew by 9.9% in H1 2025.

💰 Hunter Hotel Advisors facilitated the sale of Home2 Suites by Hilton Wayne on July 29, 2025. Located near Manhattan, the 120-key hotel was sold by DC Hospitality Group LLC to Spark GHC. The hotel, built in 2020, features a fitness center, business center, and indoor pool, and is strategically positioned near major corporate and entertainment hubs. It attracts visitors from local employers and William Paterson University, contributing to the local economy and employment landscape of over 25,000 workers.

🏠 HREC Investment Advisors arranged the sale of the 122-room Hampton Inn Denver-International Airport, Denver, Colorado, to Denver Airport Lodging, LLC, an affiliate of Colorado Hospitality Services, Inc. They own five hotels and 22 properties in Denver. Denver International Airport saw 77.8 million passengers in 2023, a 12.3% increase. By October 2024, 69.2 million passengers marked a 6.7% rise. The airport generated over $36.4 billion for Colorado's economy last year.

🏨 Marcus & Millichap announced the sale of the 61-room Best Western Plus Royal Mountain Inn & Suites in Athens, Texas. The property was marketed by Skyler Cooper from Marcus & Millichap’s Dallas office. Support for the transaction came from Allan Miller and Chris Gomes of the Miller-Gomes Hotel Team. The hotel features amenities such as a business center, outdoor pool, fitness center, guest laundry, breakfast area, and meeting space.

💰 Rocco Forte Hotels and Emerald Pine Capital partner to expand the Rocco Forte brand in Europe and the Middle East. The collaboration focuses on repositioning and developing hotel assets in gateway cities and high-demand leisure destinations. Charles Forte emphasizes this strategic move to leverage Emerald Pine Capital’s investment expertise. Fabrizio Grena sees the partnership as a way to enhance long-term value in the luxury hospitality sector. The alliance aims for efficient asset management and increased brand recognition.

🏨 1912 Hotels St Pauls Ltd, a UK subsidiary of Hamburg-based 1912 Hotels GmbH, completed its first UK acquisition of the Mercure Sheffield St Paul’s Hotel and Spa. This four-star, 169-room hotel features a spa, restaurant, champagne bar, and conference facilities for up to 550 guests. Located in Sheffield city centre, this marks the start of 1912 Hotels' UK expansion. Legal firm DWF, led by Alan Barnett, advised on the transaction.