A major investor in Pinewood Studios has emerged as a potential buyer for Village Hotels, one of the UK’s largest mid-market hotel chains. According to reliable sources, Aermont, a leading real estate investment firm, submitted an offer for Village Hotels last week. The hotel chain is currently owned by KSL Capital Partners.
Insiders have revealed that KSL is seeking offers of at least £850m for Village Hotels, which has attracted interest from multiple parties. Among them is Blackstone, a private equity giant, although no formal offer has been made as of yet. The sale process is being managed by Morgan Stanley, a prominent banking institution.
This development comes after the unsuccessful attempt to sell Center Parcs UK earlier this year and the ongoing discussions surrounding the potential sale of Travelodge. Village Hotels boasts a portfolio of over 30 properties located across the UK, offering budget-friendly accommodation options. Founded in 1995 as Village Urban Resorts, the chain also features pub-style restaurants and gyms.
KSL acquired Village Hotels from De Vere Group in 2014 for a reported sum of £485m. The Denver, Colorado-based buyout firm has also previously held ownership of other UK hotel chains such as Hotel du Vin and Malmaison. Both Aermont and Blackstone declined to comment on the matter.
