Mergers & Acquisitions

💰 Braemar Hotels & Resorts, a US-based real estate investment trust, has initiated a sales process. As of 2025, Braemar oversees 14 luxury hotels, including nine resorts and five urban properties under brands like Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons. A $480 million sale fee has been negotiated with Ashford Inc, with $17 million advanced. Buyers must assume existing management agreements, or cancel for $25 million. The company aims to maximize shareholder value amid favorable market conditions.

📈 Dalata reported a 5% decline in adjusted EBITDA due to lower RevPAR and inflation costs, with a €19.6 million profit after tax. Free cash flow is strong at €45.7 million. New acquisitions include Clayton Hotels in Berlin and Madrid. Dalata plans to add over 1,000 rooms globally. Assets are valued at €1.8 billion. The proposed acquisition by Pandox offers €6.45 per share, a 49.7% premium, pending shareholder approval on September 11, 2025.

📈 Founded in 2021, Ennismore manages 180+ hotels and 500 bars/restaurants across 16 brands. In 2022, Accor sold 10.8% to a Qatari consortium for €185M, valuing Ennismore at €2B. Accor holds 62% and might list Ennismore, aligning with its simplification strategy. Expansion plans include openings in Nashville, Chicago, Mexico City, Zurich, and Sydney. Competitive lifestyle segment sees Accor leading against Marriott, Hilton, and others. RevPAR for Accor's lifestyle hotels grew by 9.9% in H1 2025.

💰 USA, July 31, 2025: Sonnenblick-Eichner Company secured $22.6 million in first mortgage leasehold financing for Valencia Hotel Group's 12-story Hotel Valencia Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. The AAA-rated, Four Diamond hotel offers 213 rooms and spans over 9,841 square feet. The San Antonio River Walk attracts about 14 million visitors annually, making it Texas' top tourist destination. A five-year fixed-rate loan refinanced a maturing 10-year loan for the property.

🛳️ Hays Travel acquires Victoria Travel Group, including Cruise.co.uk and Seascanner, marking its first OTA acquisition. The UK and German divisions reported a £252 million transaction value. This is Hays' seventh acquisition since 2019, following its takeover of Spear Travels and Miles Morgan Travel. Chief executive Chris Gardner remains in charge. Key figures are Jonathon Woodall-Johnston and Jo Rzymowska joining as non-executive directors. The acquisition aligns with Hays’ cruise strategy and growth ambitions.

🏨 Rambler Group Holdings acquired The Oaks Hotel & Leisure Club in Burnley, originally listed for £1.8 million, built in 1885 with 51 rooms on 3.5 acres. Located in Reedley, near M65, it offers easy access to Manchester and Leeds. Lavender Hotels sold it to reinvest in other assets. Future plans include refurbishments and expansion. Legal advice was provided by Harrison Drury and Onecall Hospitality. Rambler aims to enhance guest experiences while preserving the hotel's historic charm.

🏡 Wealthy Americans are opting for private holiday homes over luxury hotels, driven by privacy and space. The global holiday rental market is projected to reach $125 billion by 2029, with intense competition from fractional ownership models. Exclusive Resorts, owned by Steve Case, boasts a billion-dollar portfolio of 400+ residences. It recently acquired a majority stake in Onefinestay, expanding its reach. The trend favors personalized experiences, drawing high-net-worth clients seeking exclusivity and customization.

🏨 Marriott International expands by acquiring 37 citizenM hotels, totaling 8,789 rooms, across over 20 cities globally, with two more in the pipeline. Full integration into Marriott's systems is expected by the end of the year, enhancing Marriott Bonvoy's loyalty benefits. citizenM, known for its tech-savvy approach since 2008, will continue to offer its subscription benefits. This follows Marriott's $100 million acquisition of the City Express brand, marking its entry into the midscale market.

💸 Amol Kohli, a Friendly's franchisee, acquired BRIX Holdings LLC in Dallas. BRIX brands include Friendly's, Clean Juice, and more. Kohli, managing over 30 Friendly's since 2009, becomes Chairman. BRIX, led by CEO Sherif Mityas, plans national expansion, targeting Georgia, the Carolinas, and Texas. The acquisition marks Friendly's 90th anniversary. In 2025, BRIX opened new locations and awarded eight franchise agreements. Legal representation included Dilworth Paxson LLP for buyers and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP for sellers.