Mergers & Acquisitions

🏨 Edmond de Rothschild Real Estate Investment Management (REIM) has acquired a Travelodge-leased hotel in Stafford, UK, marking its first UK acquisition. Located in the West Midlands, the hotel has 18 years remaining on its lease. This expands REIM's pan-European portfolio, which spans four countries and five sectors, maintaining full occupancy with a weighted average unexpired lease term of about 14 years. Edmond de Rothschild REIM manages €13.6 billion (£11.8 billion) across eight European offices.

🏖️ Harrison Leisure acquired Ardlui Resort on Loch Lomond for over £7 million, adding to its UK portfolio of 11 parks. The acquisition, following Crofthead Holiday Park in January 2025, aims to expand its market presence. Ardlui Resort, in the same family since 1978, includes a 96-pitch park, a 12-bedroom hotel, and a 100-berth marina. The sale was managed by Colliers, with plans for modernisation under Harrison Leisure's ownership.

🏨 a&o Hostels acquired Berlin-based Schulz Hotels in a €500-million growth strategy, including the 1,000-bed Schulz Berlin hotel. Schulz founders Nizar Rokbani, Oskar Kan, and Sascha Gechter join a&o's management. Founded in 2000, a&o operates 30,000 beds across Europe, hosting 2.8 million guests in 2024. In H1 2025, they recorded 1.4 million guests and an occupancy rate of 73%. Proprium Capital Partners and StepStone Group sponsored this acquisition. European Hostels Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2025 to 2030.

🏨 Raines and Vantage Realty Partners acquired the historic Rose Hill Estate in downtown Aiken, aiming to transform it into a boutique hotel by late 2027. The estate, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974, was initially bought by the Phelps family in 1898. Designed by J.F. Leitner, it features Shingle Style architecture. The project involves collaboration with Verity Works and includes partnerships with the Aiken Center for the Arts and the Historic Aiken Foundation.

🏨 A&O Hostels acquired Berlin-based Schulz Hotels to expand in Europe. Schulz, founded by Nizar Rokbani, Oskar Kan, and Sascha Gechter, operates a 1,000-bed hotel in Berlin, with another site in development. A&O aims to grow, citing a projected 5.8% annual growth in the European hostel market (2025-2030). In 2024, A&O hosted 2.8 million guests with 6.2 million overnight stays, supported by €500 million invested since 2023 with StepStone Group and Proprium Capital Partners.

🏨 Crow Holdings and Hilton have announced a new management agreement for the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, alongside a $100 million renovation of the Atrium Tower. Originally developed in 1979 by Trammell Crow, the 52-acre hotel includes 1,610 guestrooms and extensive amenities. Renovations, expected to finish by 2028, will update 899 guestrooms and 600,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel has hosted numerous dignitaries and remains a prominent cultural venue.

📰 Windermere Hotel in the Lake District, built in 1847, is set for a multi-million-pound renovation by new owners, BH Group. Closed after autumn half-term 2025 for refurbishment by Marshall’s Building Contractors, the hotel plans to reopen in summer 2026. The upgrade will include new reception, bar, lounge, restaurant, and 75 refitted rooms, plus a new spa. This project will create up to 130 jobs and preserve the Lakeland slate exterior. BH Group previously refurbished the Swan Hotel for £7.5m.

🏨 Whitbread will convert Victory House on Kingsway, London, into a hub by Premier Inn hotel. The 45,000 sq ft office, bought for an undisclosed sum, will transform into around 200 rooms post-lease expiry in April 2026. Since February 2025, Whitbread has committed over £100 million on four London office conversions, adding nearly 1,000 rooms. Whitbread's vision is to expand budget hotel capacity in central London with compact, affordable accommodations.

🏨 Marriott International has acquired citizenM, integrating it into the Marriott Bonvoy system. On 3 December, the citizenM website and app will be discontinued. In Europe and the U.S., Another Star manages operations under a Marriott franchise, maintaining citizenM's distinctive service philosophy. Marriott now oversees global distribution and long-term brand development, including properties in Asia Pacific.