SWEDEN: Best Western Acquires Sweden Hotels

Best Western Hotels & Resorts has just announced the acquisition of Sweden Hotels in an operation that allows the group to become the largest network of hotels in Sweden.

Best Western Hotels & Resorts has announced the acquisition of the Swedish chain Sweden Hotels, making the group the largest hotels network in the country. It now has 135 hotels in Sweden and 180 in Scandinavia.

The aim of this collaboration is to strengthen the development of Sweden Hotels' private and individual hotels by giving them access to Best Western's digital platforms, distribution systems and loyalty programs.

The acquisition of Sweden Hotels is a strategically important operation and a natural development for us.

Our position as the largest hotel chain in Sweden makes it possible for us to create even more favorable conditions for a successful chain development and to present even stronger results for our hotels in the future, said Johan Kukacka, CEO of Best Western Hotels & Resorts in Scandinavia.

As of January 1, 2017, the Best Western Hotels & Resorts group is the 2nd largest hotel chain in Europe with 1,108 properties and 79,010 rooms.

The Red Lion Hotels Corporation group, 15% owned by HNA, unveils its new portfolio of brands following the takeover of the US franchise Vantage Hospitality Group in September 2016.

The Red Lion Hotels Corp, 15% owned by the Chinese group HNA since 2015, unveils its new brand portfolio. This was recently expanded by the acquisition at the end of 2016 of Vantage Hospitality Group; an operation which enabled the group to get 987 more properties meaning an additional 59,000 rooms, thus strengthening its presence on the American market.

Red Lion Hotels Corp now has 9 brands in its portfolio on the upscale, midscale and economy segments, including Red Lion Hotels, Red Lion Inns, Settle Inn, Signature Inn, Guest House, Americas Best Value Inn, Canada's Best Value Inn and Country Hearth Inn & Suites.

This evolution represents a new milestone in the growth of the Red Lion Hotels Corp group, which now has 1,100 franchised properties for a total of 73,200 rooms.

Red Lion Hotels Corporation has entered exclusive negotiations with Vantage Hospitality. This takeover will affect franchise contracts for a dozen brands, including Americas Best Value Inn, including 1,000 hotels and close to 60,000 rooms.

The initial aggregate price for the operation is estimated at some 25 million euros in cash and shares, and may be adjusted after two years of results.

The takeover of Vantage Hospitality Group by Red Lion Hotel Corporation (RLHC), two American franchise groups, should become official in the third quarter 2016.

This acquisition will enable RLHC to accelerate its growth throughout the United States thanks to an expanded brand portfolio, and to become one of the primary franchisers in the country. In 2014, Vantage Hospitality took over America's Best Franchising, growing the group to more than 1,400 units and 90,000 rooms.

Greg Mount, President and CEO RLHC declared on this occasion: The acquisition of Vantage Hospitality Group's operations establishes RLHC as one of the largest hotel franchisors adding approximately 1,000 hotel franchise, membership, and licensing agreements to our growing brand family.

Roger Bloss, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vantage, added: We are excited to become part of the RLHC family of brands. Joining RLHC's platform will provide our members with additional resources to grow their businesses and our guests with a broad array of brands." Vantage Hospitality Group is an American franchiser created in 1999.

This operation brought RLHC's portfolio the following brands: Vantage Hotels; Americas Best Value Inn (80% of the supply); Canadas Best Value Inn; Lexington by Vantage; America’s Best Inns and Suites; Country Hearth Inns; Jameson Inns; Signature Inn; and 3 Palms Hotels & Resorts. The group's portfolio will thus have 1,100 franchised properties or 73,200 rooms versus 113 hotels and 14,200 rooms previously.

RHLS was created in 1937; at the time the company was called Goodale & Barbieri Companies (G&B). Its introduction to the stock market in 1998 was synonymous with expansion. In 2001 the company bought Red Lion Hotels & Inns and moved most of its units under Red Lionin 2003.

It also took over West Coast Hospitality in 2005 and has taken another major step towards growth with the takeover of Vantage Hospitality.

The Mandarin Oriental Group has just announced the signing of an agreement to take over the management of a property in Santiago, Chile.

This is the first hotel of the group in South America. Owned by the Hotel Corporation of Chile (HCC), it will be renovated and will be operated under the Mandarin Oriental brand from August 2018. The property will remain open during the construction period.

The Hotel Santiago is located in the commercial and leisure area of Las Condes, which includes shopping centers, restaurants, museums and theaters.

It offers 310 rooms including 23 suites as well as 5 restaurants and bars, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, a spa, landscaped gardens and a large meeting space.

Owned by Jardine Matheson Group, Mandarin Oriental currently has 28 hotels and 8 residences in 19 countries.

SOUTH AFRICA: Best Western To Open 13 New Hotels In South Africa

As part of its development program in Southern Africa, Best Western Hotels & Resorts is growing its portfolio from one to 14 total properties in the region over the next 12 months. The multi-phase signing agreement with Orion Hotels is integral to the brand’s expansion plans in Africa and provides travelers with a more geographically diverse portfolio at which to earn and redeem Best Western Rewards points.

Phase one will see the addition of Velmoré Hotel Estate (Erasmia) and Hotel Promenade (Nelspruit) to the Best Western Plus portfolio and the Magoebaskloof Hotel to Best Western. The rebranding of the three hotels is projected to be complete by July 2016. The remaining 10 hotels will rebrand by the end of Q1 2017. Each of the 13 hotels will adapt Best Western brand standards, but will operate under the management of Orion Hotels. The two companies plan to further expand throughout Africa as Orion Hotels continues to lease, manage or acquire new properties, which will also be branded with one of the Best Western Hotels & Resorts brands.

“More than ever, as we continue our journey in taking the reimagined Best Western brand into the future, we are dedicated to offering guests memorable travel experiences and the best in hospitality around the world,” said David Kong, President and CEO of Best Western Hotels & Resorts. “This relationship positions Best Western for growth across the continent of Africa and also presents an opportunity for Orion Hotels’ guests to take advantage of a truly global loyalty program.”

Velmoré Hotel Estate consists of the Velmoré Hotel, a stunning establishment aimed at the affluent luxury traveler, and Velmoré Grande, which showcases opulence with everything from oversized rooms to extravagant finishes. Ideally situated between Pretoria and Johannesburg, Velmoré Hotel Estate offers a tranquil country setting on the border of the Hennops River with spectacular views of the Magaliesberg Mountains. Its unique architecture is inspired by traditional French Provence, and the sprawling layout over an expansive landscape creates a sense of space and serenity.

The Magoebaskloof Hotel is a charming country hotel that sits along a ridge, offering rooms with spectacular views of the superlative Magoebas Valley. Guests can enjoy an idyllic and relaxing break in the countryside with friendly personal service and comfortable accommodations.

Hotel Promenade is a historic hotel in one of the town’s most prominent landmarks, the original town hall of Nelspruit. This heritage city hotel offers guests spacious accommodations combined with genuine local hospitality.

“It is with immense pride and joy to announce that Orion Hotels & Resorts is joining one of the largest hotel companies in the world, and the rebranding to Best Western repositions Orion Hotels as the largest international hotel brand in South Africa,” said Franz Gmeiner, CEO of Orion Hotels. “Furthermore, the association with Best Western creates significant career opportunities for our management and staff. In addition to rebranding and upgrading our existing properties, securing management agreements and leases will be part of our core focus.”

Best Western has an existing presence throughout Africa including locations such as Nairobi, Kenya; Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania; and Lagos, Nigeria. In the development pipeline are the Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe in Entebbe, Uganda and two Best Western-branded hotels in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to launch later this year.

“This opportunity to showcase several of our brands in South Africa will introduce Best Western to many travelers in a key feeder market to the rest of the continent,” said Suzi Yoder, Senior Vice President of International Operations, Best Western Hotels & Resorts.