Mergers & Acquisitions

🏨 La Citadelle hotel, built in 1559, was converted to a 4-star hotel in 2005. It features 80 rooms and is located near Metz’s city center. SomnOO, founded in 2014, recently acquired this hotel, aligning with its growth strategy of owning over 60 hotels across France and Germany. SomnOO aims to be a leading player in the European hospitality industry by 2030. This acquisition follows their recent purchase of six Ibis hotels and two in the Paris region.

🏨 UK, June 2025: RE Capital sold the Ruby Stella hotel in Farringdon, London, to LaSalle Investment Management for £48 million. The hotel, featuring 153 rooms, a restaurant, and a bar, launched in November 2024 as Ruby's 20th European hotel. It boasts a BREEAM Excellent rating and an EPC A6. Savills advised RE Capital, with Constantine RE and Gowling WLG representing LaSalle.

🏨 BWH Hotels added 15,000 hotel keys globally, boosting its position as the second-largest independent soft brand. By 2027, they aim for 70 properties in the Middle East, with new hotels in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Madinah. In Europe, expansions include Germany's Loftstyle Hotel Gerlingen and Slovakia's Best Western Hotel Prešov. The UK saw the addition of seven hotels, including Sheffield City. They are also venturing into extended-stay and glamping sectors.

🏝️ Playa Hotels & Resorts joins Hyatt’s portfolio, adding 15 all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. The expansion strengthens Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection with renowned properties like Secrets La Romana and Dreams Rose Hall. This acquisition follows previous acquisitions, including the Apple Leisure Group in 2021 and a joint venture with Grupo Piñero in 2024. Hyatt aims to boost its leadership in the all-inclusive segment through enhanced locations, capabilities, and talent.

📍 Italy: In 2025, COIMA SGR acquired €54 million in debt for the Grand Hôtel des Bains in Lido di Venezia and plans to invest €200 million to restore it after 15 years of closure. Opened in 1900, the hotel inspired Thomas Mann’s "Death in Venice." It closed in 2010 when Est Capital abandoned a luxury apartment project. COIMA and Eagle Hills, led by Mohamed Alabbar, will restore it into a modern luxury resort, engaging Venice's authorities.

🏕 Siblu’s European expansion in 2025 saw the acquisition of eight villages: six in Belgium, one in Germany, and one in the Netherlands. A €1 million investment starts in 2026 for a new 60-hectare site in Germany. Belgium receives €5 million for 1,500 pitches upgrades. Siblu aims for €320 million revenue in 2025, with €30 million for French investments in 2026. Siblu targets 80 villages by 2030, employing 2,000 during peak 2025.

💸 Aareal Bank refinanced Carbonleo for the Four Seasons Hotel Montreal. Aareal, based in Germany, acted as arranger, facility agent, and security agent. Carbonleo, founded by Andrew Lutfy in 2012, develops mixed-use real estate. The 169-room hotel, opened in 2019 in Montreal’s Golden Square Mile, holds a five-key eco-rating. Antoine Bernier from Carbonleo and Bettina Graef-Parker from Aareal praised the partnership's focus on sustainable luxury in urban markets.

📰 June 5, 2025, Josiah Mackenzie presented at the NYU International Hotel Investment Forum in New York. He emphasized that hospitality profits should focus on investments rather than solely on cost-cutting strategies. Mackenzie shared ideas from a panel discussion, suggesting that strategic investments can significantly benefit businesses and the communities they serve. For more insights, listen to the episode and consider applying these concepts in your teams.

🏠 Arc of Soma: The Lagoon Edition in Somabay, Egypt, launched its residential sales. The project offers 110 units, with one to three-bedroom options ranging from 76 to 151 sqm. Prices start at £123,606. Residents can enjoy amenities like golf, diving, and spa facilities. CEO Ibrahim El Missiri emphasizes the new standard of waterfront living. Nearby hotels include Kempinski and Sheraton.

🏰 Fonab Castle Hotel & Spa, a five-star luxury destination in Pitlochry, Scotland, joined the Elegant Hotel Collection in 2025. Built in 1892, this 42-room establishment is known for its rich history and modern elegance. As part of the Crerar Hotels Group and powered by HotelREZ, it aims to enhance its presence in the UK and USA. The hotel is celebrated for its uniqueness and commitment to authenticity, inclusivity, and sustainability.