Mergers & Acquisitions

💸 Seven major hotel groups owed $11.6 billion in unredeemed points by the end of last year. Marriott's share is nearly $4 billion, while Hilton's is close to $3 billion. The rise is due to co-branded credit card deals and increased loyalty program enrollment. Despite the liabilities, executives aren’t worried because travelers often accumulate points faster than they use them. Marriott reported a $473 million increase in the gap between points earned and redeemed last year.

🏨 The Eliza Jane in downtown New Orleans, Louisiana, joined Marriott’s Autograph Collection, enhancing its visibility among international travelers. Housed in 19th-century warehouses, this luxury hotel integrates historic architecture with local culture. As part of Marriott's global portfolio, it connects to the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty platform. Cole Parsons, managing director, emphasized its commitment to personalized hospitality while maintaining its narrative identity.

🏖 Preferred Hotels & Resorts has added Edgewood Tahoe Resort to its Legend Collection. Located on 235 acres along Lake Tahoe's South Shore, the resort features 154 rooms and 14 villa suites with lake, golf, or mountain views. Dining options include The Edge Restaurant, The Bistro, and Brooks’ Bar. Spa Edgewood covers 8,500 sq ft, and the resort boasts the area's only lakeside 18-hole golf course. A new lakefront ballroom is set to open by March 2027.

🏨 Peachtree Group received I-956F approval for developing a 116-room Homewood Suites by Hilton in Sugar Mountain, N.C. The $28-million project is funded through Peachtree's EB-5 investment platform, bringing total EB-5 capitalization to over $177 million. The development is in a Rural and High Unemployment Targeted Employment Area, generating about 538 EB-5 jobs. Positioned near Sugar Mountain Ski Resort, the hotel caters to leisure and business travelers in demand-constrained markets. Peachtree's EB-5 program launched in 2023.

🏨 Kempinski Hotels acquired Augustine Hotel Prague, its first acquisition since 1970. Located in historic Malá Strana near Prague Castle, the property features 101 guest rooms, 20 suites, specialty restaurants, and a spa. The hotel will operate as a white-label luxury property from April 1, 2026, undergoing refurbishment before rebranding under Kempinski in late 2026. The acquisition aligns with Kempinski's shift to an asset-heavier model and aims to enhance its luxury brand identity.

🏨 Bron Eifion Country House Hotel in Criccieth, North Wales is on the market for £1.7 million. Built in 1883 for John E Greaves, it features 17 en-suite rooms, a four-bedroom bungalow, and staff accommodation. The five-acre estate includes gardens, woodland, and is licensed for ceremonies with two function rooms for up to 150 guests. Planning for three holiday chalets was approved in May 2022. Owners are retiring after 20 years, and the sale is managed by Savills.

🏨 Geneva, Switzerland, October 2023: Kempinski Hotels acquires Augustine Hotel, Prague, marking its first acquisition in over 50 years since 1970. Located in historic Malá Strana, Prague, this landmark hotel within the 800-year-old Augustinian Monastery of St. Thomas features 101 guest rooms, 20 suites, restaurants, a spa, and 400 sqm of meeting space. Under CEO Barbara Muckermann, this move signals Kempinski's strategic shift to an asset-heavy model, emphasizing heritage and luxury.

📈 Accor is selling its 31% stake in Essendi to Blackstone and Colony Investment Management for up to €975 million (approximately $1.1 billion). Essendi's hotels will transition to Accor franchise agreements as part of the deal. This move marks Accor's strategic shift towards an "asset-light" model, focusing on securing 20 years of fee income rather than owning hotel properties.

🏨 Highline Hospitality Partners acquired the Westin Poinsett in Greenville, S.C., marking their 19th hotel acquisition and third this year. Built in 1925, the 11-story hotel offers 200 guestrooms and 10,000 square feet of meeting space. Highline's portfolio now includes 19 hotels, totaling over 5,200 guestrooms and assets worth $1.6 billion. HEI Hotels & Resorts will manage the property, and renovations are planned to enhance its market position.