Mergers & Acquisitions

💰 MCR Hotels, a major investor, backed out of a $200 million funding commitment for Soho House & Co's $2.7 billion privatization deal. On Monday, MCR, the third-largest U.S. hotel owner-operator, notified Soho House it couldn't meet its financial obligation by the closing date. Despite this, Soho House plans a stockholders meeting on Thursday. Majority shareholder Yucaipa, owned by Ron Burkle, is seeking alternative funding, potentially from Apollo or other investors.

🏨 UK: a&o Hostels acquires ibis and Novotel hotels on Portland and Dickinson Streets in central Manchester from Ares Real Estate funds and EQ Group. Plans include a $8.2 million investment to create 1,218 beds in 303 rooms, with works finishing by Q1 2027. The acquisition is a&o's fourth UK asset. Manchester, attracting 1.9 million visitors annually, is a key strategic target. Over 24 months, a&o has added 8,500 beds across Europe.

🍺 The Sun Inn in Acomb, Northumberland, is for sale at £425k. The pub, located two miles north of Hexham, offers a bar seating 34, a breakfast area for 12, a beer garden, and six letting rooms. Also included is a two-bedroom apartment. Situated near Hadrian’s Wall and Hexham Abbey, it attracts both locals and tourists. Marslie McGregor of Christie and Co anticipates strong interest due to its charming appeal and varied income streams.

🏨 A&O Hostels has acquired two hotels in Manchester's city center for an undisclosed amount. The properties, totaling 13,000 sq m, were formerly operated as ibis and Novotel hotels. A&O plans an £8.2m refurbishment to create a 1,218-bed hostel with 303 rooms by early 2027. The expansion is part of a €500m (£434m) investment in major European cities, adding around 8,500 beds in the past two years. Manchester attracts 1.9 million visitors annually.

💸 Walker & Dunlop, Inc. secured a $112.5 million loan to refinance Ace Hotel Brooklyn at 252 Schermerhorn Street, featuring 287 guestrooms over 154,947 square feet. The refinancing, arranged for GFI Capital Resources Group, Inc. and Spruce Capital Partners, retires existing debts. New York City, facing regulatory barriers, expects over 64 million visitors by 2025. The hotel offers eateries, event spaces, and retail, underscoring NYC's hospitality growth. Walker & Dunlop's Capital Markets team sourced over $16 billion in 2024.

🏨 Fontenille Collection, founded in 2016 by Frederic Biousse and Guillaume Foucher, owns 12 boutique hotels in France, Italy, and Spain. The company produces 300,000 wine bottles annually and is expanding into Brittany, Burgundy, and the Alps. LVMH acquired a 23% stake four months ago. The first hotel cost €20M. Fontenille targets offering affordable luxury (€400-800/night) and relies heavily on direct bookings, with 80% of sales direct. Their strategy emphasizes heritage, community, and experiential luxury.

🏠 Woodlands Guest House and Glenburn Hotel, located in the Lake District, are for sale at £2.75 million. The properties, combined into a 30-bedroom guest house four years ago, include two self-contained cottages. They're a 10-minute walk from Lake Windermere and five minutes from the railway station. Managed by Christie and Co, the sale represents a rare opportunity due to the property's size, attracting both domestic and international guests year-round.

📊 2025 was a year of change for Surf Office, with 20% revenue growth despite market challenges. The company pivoted to organizing retreats in Central America, Europe, or Asia for US clients. Pingotel and other tools were launched, while Buy That Hotel aims to deploy over 1 billion € in 2026. The focus is shifting towards authentic marketing and IRL meetups. The author balanced work and travel in New Zealand, Italy, and Slovakia.

💸 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.

🏨 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.