Hotel Owner November 2018 | Page 8

MONTH IN REVIEW MONTH IN REVIEW www.hotelowner.co.uk ACQUISITION AccorHotels completes its acquisition of a 50% stake in SBE Entertainment Group AccorHotels has announced it has completed the acquisition of a 50% stake in the SBE Entertainment Group. Through this partnership, AccorHotels’ said it will pursue its strategy to expand its offering in the luxury lifestyle hospitality segment and its footprint in gateway cities across North America. This long-term investment will also allow SBE to leverage AccorHotels’ global hospitality platform while remaining an independent luxury lifestyle operator. SBE will continue to be led by its founder and CEO Sam Nazarian as well as its management team while retaining its global headquarters in New York. Sébastien Bazin, chairman & CEO of AccorHotels said: “I am very proud of this unique partnership. It combines the best of both groups by offering all our guests lifestyle concepts in the luxury segment. With sbe’s brand portfolio, AccorHotels is also taking a significant step forward in its group’s expansion in key gateway cities in the US. “Sam Nazarian is an innovator with an inborn sense of creating unique experiences and groundbreaking hotels and F&B concepts. We are delighted to join forces and mutualize our skills for the benefits of our guests.” 8 www.hotelowner.co.uk 1 HOTEL SALES Ryndle Court Hotel sold to ‘experienced’ local operator for £725,000 Ryndle Court Hotel, situated close to the Scarborough coast in North Yorkshire, has been sold to an “experienced local operator” for £725,000. The property was purchased by Yorkshire Hospitality, a hotel operating company which also owns Scarborough Travel & Holiday Lodge. Comprising 23 en-suite bedrooms, the hotel features a restaurant, which caters for up to 40 covers, a bar, and a function room equipped for up to 55 guests. Yorkshire Hospitality plan to reinvest and modernise the property to improve its trading potential and build on the private functions opportunities it presents. A statement by the group read: “We are excited for the development and to introduce new bedrooms to the property. This is a great new addition to our portfolio.” The family run business had been owned by Mr and Mrs Shelton for 13 years before they decided to sell in order to pursue retirement. They said: “We have spent many enjoyable and memorable times in the hotel with friends old and new. At the end of this era, we now look forward to spending more time with our family and pursuing other projects in the future. Special thanks to our agent, Sam Ashton and the Christie & Co team.” IHG is in almost 100 countries and we touch the lives of millions of people each day. This gives us a responsibility to protect the environment and an opportunity to make a real difference Keith Barr, CEO, IHG 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ENVIRONMENT IHG to remove plastic straws from hotels worldwide InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced it will remove plastic straws from its global estate by the end of 2019, representing more than 5,400 hotels in nearly 100 countries. Plastic straws have already been removed from nearly 1,000 if its hotels in Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa (EMEAA) but the global hotel chain has now moved to get rid of them entirely. It also announced it is introducing bulk-size bathroom amenities to several hotel brands in the Americas, as part of broader efforts to reduce waste. Keith Barr, CEO, IHG, said: “IHG is in almost 100 countries and we touch the lives of millions of people each day. This gives us a responsibility to protect the environment and an opportunity to make a real difference. There is always more we can do to minimise waste, but the work we’re doing to reduce single- use plastic is a powerful example of how we can come together with guests, owners and colleagues to drive positive change. “This work is not going unrecognised. Very recently we were named an industry leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for the second year running, which is a real point of pride for us and recognition of the hard work and dedication of our people and partners around the world.” Madhu Rajesh, director, the International Tourism Partnership (ITP), added: “IHG’s committed action to reduce plastic waste demonstrates its ability to be a force for good in local communities around the world. With initiatives like these, and through close collaboration, the hotel and tourism industry can continue to lead the way in setting clear and quantifiable commitments that improve sustainability.” November 2018