Mergers & Acquisitions

🏖️ Ikos Kissamos, an €150 million investment, will open with 414 rooms and suites. Located in Crete, the resort targets LEED Gold certification and aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. It will feature eco-friendly practices like eliminating single-use plastics and water reuse, and offer attractions such as Balos Lagoon and Samaria Gorge. Ikos Resorts also opened Ikos Odisia in Corfu, reinforcing their luxury, sustainable tourism strategy in the Mediterranean.

🏨 CitizenM's CEO, Lennert de Jong, discussed their strategic partnership with Marriott on Matthias Huettebraeuker's podcast. citizenM, with 36 assets, sold its brand to Marriott, marking one of Marriott's largest deals since Starwood. This collaboration allows citizenM to leverage Marriott's distribution platform, including access to 250 million Bonvoy users, while maintaining its ownership of real estate, which constitutes 90% of its value. New openings include Dublin and London, Soho, reflecting ongoing growth and operational integration.

🏖 Alannia, founded by Grupo Marjal in 1997, has added 1,000 accommodation units and 1,600 pitches to European Camping Group's (ECG) portfolio, which covers 450 destinations in 13 European countries. The acquisition enhances ECG's presence in Spain, where Alannia operates five resorts, after quadrupling revenue since partnering with Corpfin Capital in 2018. ECG's strategy focuses on expanding in Southern Europe, supported by KPMG and Garrigues, and includes recent acquisitions like Vacanceselect.

💸 ATLAND's acquisition of Keys REIM expands its assets under management beyond €5 billion and introduces over 3,500 private professional clients. With investments surpassing €100,000 per product, ATLAND enhances its client base and cross-selling opportunities. The deal adds a presence in six European countries, boosting pan-European strategies. Keys REIM's expertise in professional funds and the hospitality sector complements ATLAND's offerings. Twenty employees join ATLAND, aiming for commercial and operational synergies.

🏠 The Boost Society, in under three months, acquired a property built in 2022 by Ovalto/NoeCampus Group. Located in the southeast Paris region, it features 257 beds and aims for 15,000 secure beds by 2026. The property offers amenities like co-working spaces and sports facilities. Over €1.3 billion has been raised to support expansion. A new 663-bed residence in Villeneuve-d’Ascq opens in 2027, with additional projects in Lyon, Saint-Ouen, and Barcelona.

🏎️ Aston Martin's expansion into luxury hospitality marks a strategic evolution. The brand plans to develop hotels near private racetracks, offering bespoke services like custom garages and direct car access to suites. The first hotel will be in Europe. Partnering with developers, such as Dar Global for the £200 million Astera project in the UAE, Aston Martin aims to diversify revenue and set new luxury standards. This aligns with the trend of brands like Lush and IKEA entering hospitality.

💸 UK-based Open Destinations, founded in 1998, provides reservation tech and services globally, serving 75 customers in 30 countries with 650 staff. Insight Partners, a global software investor, made a strategic growth investment. Open Destinations' products, Travel Studio and Rail Studio, serve companies like Emirates and Orient Express. Insight’s Michael Shephard and Peter Segall join the board. Kevin O’Sullivan and John Davies of Open Destinations see the investment as a new growth chapter.

🏨 UK, 2025: PPHE Hotel Group acquires a 13,000 sqm site near Tower Bridge for £90 million, including £17.5 million for the site. A Radisson RED hotel with 182 rooms, a restaurant, bar, gym, and 41,000 sqft of office space is set to open in 2029, targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. Expected high single-digit annual yield. Second acquisition by PPHE's hospitality fund includes financing for construction post-approval.