Mergers & Acquisitions

📊 2025 was a year of change for Surf Office, with 20% revenue growth despite market challenges. The company pivoted to organizing retreats in Central America, Europe, or Asia for US clients. Pingotel and other tools were launched, while Buy That Hotel aims to deploy over 1 billion € in 2026. The focus is shifting towards authentic marketing and IRL meetups. The author balanced work and travel in New Zealand, Italy, and Slovakia.

🏟 Plans for a Universal-branded theme park and resort in Bedford have received planning permission from the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government. It will be Europe's first Universal-branded theme park, potentially generating up to £50 billion for the UK economy. The project will create around 20,000 construction jobs and 8,000 permanent roles. Transport improvements include the expansion of Wixams railway station and new slip roads to the A421. Further steps involve a statutory parliamentary review.

💰 Hyatt Hotels Corporation sold its real estate portfolio acquired from Playa Hotels & Resorts to Tortuga Resorts for $2 billion. The sale, completed in November 2025, involves 14 all-inclusive properties across Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. Hyatt retains $200 million in preferred equity and can earn an additional $143 million. Management agreements for 13 properties span 50 years. Hurricane Melissa in October 2025 caused closures in Jamaica, with properties reopening by late 2026. Financial aid was provided to affected colleagues.

📍 Marcus & Millichap brokered the sale of the 68-room Comfort Inn New Orleans Airport South in Saint Rose, Louisiana. Built in 2010, the three-story hotel, located five miles from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, was purchased by NOLA Airport Hospitality LLC, an Indiana-based investor group. The sale attracted six competitive offers. The hotel offers amenities like an airport shuttle, complimentary breakfast, and fitness center, and plans for renovation and management changes promise added value.

🏨 Apex Hotels Ltd reported a 21% revenue increase for the year ending 30 April 2025, fueled by acquisitions and enhanced trading. Operating profit rose by 4% to £13.6m, despite weaker winter trading for recent acquisitions. They acquired The Vineyard Hotel in Berkshire and DoubleTree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro, rebranded as Apex Dunblane Hydro. Investments were made in Pine Trees Hotel, Pitlochry, and Apex Waterloo Place, Edinburgh. Chairman Ian Springford highlighted pivotal portfolio reshaping and future growth plans.

💸 UK hotel investment in 2025 reached £5.0bn, a 15% annual decrease, yet still 8% above the 10-year average of £4.7bn, per Savills. In Q4 alone, investment exceeded £2.0bn, 40% more than Q4 2024. Portfolio transactions dropped to £750m from £3.1bn in 2024, while single asset deals rose to 85% of total investments. London led with £3.0bn, a 25% rise from 2024. Regional investments fell to £2.0bn from £3.3bn.

💸 Affiliates of Gencom reacquired a majority interest in The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami, announced on December 23, 2025. The 115-room hotel, initially purchased in 2011, was sold to Hersha Hospitality Trust in 2017. Gencom's reacquisition aligns with investment strategies in high-quality assets. The hotel, opened in 2002, recently underwent renovations in 2018. Coconut Grove, a growing Miami neighborhood, features new developments like Cocowalk, enhancing its appeal for leisure and business travel.

💰 West Palm Beach, Florida—Chatham Lodging Trust sold the 147-suite Homewood Suites by Hilton in Billerica, Massachusetts, for $17.4 million. A planned $6 million renovation for 2025 was halted due to the sale. The hotel was expected to earn $1 million in 2025, with a 4% capitalization rate. This is the sixth hotel sold since December 2024, amassing $100 million in proceeds, with an overall 6% capitalization rate.

🏨 New World Hospitality, led by Vijay Sharmain, has acquired the BLOC Hotel in Birmingham from the Arora Group in an off-market deal. The hotel, located in the Jewellery Quarter, features 105 rooms and was built in 2011. The transaction highlights ongoing interest in UK hotel investments.