Mergers & Acquisitions

🏨 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.

🏨 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.

📍 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.

💸 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.

💰 Queensgate sold Generator's European operations to Brookfield for €776 million, including 15 assets and 2,749 rooms across Europe. Queensgate retains US properties and Freehand Hotels. Alastair Thomann left Generator in January 2025 to join Brookfield-owned edyn. Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc. advised Queensgate, while Kirkland & Ellis and others advised Brookfield. Queensgate acquired Generator in 2017 for €450 million.

🏘 Grand Metropolitan Hotels expands into Croatia by acquiring Plant Villas on Pag Island, now operating under Brioni Hotels brand. This expansion furthers the company's international growth and commitment to bespoke experiences, quality, and service. The villas, surrounded by nature, offer views of the Adriatic Sea and Velebit mountains, featuring unique architecture and an aromatherapy experience with the immortelle plant. Brioni Hotels provides tailored luxury, privacy, personal chefs, wellness programs, and secure transfers for discerning guests.

🏨 Hotel Equities and Springboard Hospitality announced a strategic merger effective May 1, creating a company with a broad portfolio across the US, Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Ben Rafter is the new CEO, Brad Rahinsky becomes chairman, and Al Smith is the COO. The merged entity offers services including operations, revenue management, and food and beverage strategy. Further announcements on key hires and services are expected in the coming months.