The Hilton Leicester Hotel has been sold to Valary Hotels Limited, following a year of sustained demand for quality regional hotels, with value-add opportunities.
The freehold property – sold for an undisclosed sum – is the latest addition to Valary Hotels’ growing portfolio of UK hotels and is the first acquisition in Leicestershire for the group’s Leicester-born owner.
The four-star, 179-bed, Hilton Leicester Hotel will benefit from investment across its facilities, which include a bar, two restaurants, eight meeting rooms, as well as a LivingWell Health Club with indoor swimming pool, gym and sauna.
Following an extensive planned refurbishment, the hotel will operate under a franchise agreement with Hilton Hotels and Resorts under the DoubleTree brand and will be managed by Countrywide Hotels.
Situated three miles from Leicester City Centre, The Hilton Leicester Hotel occupies a strategic location close to the M1 and Fosse Shopping Park – one of Britain’s largest out-of-town retail parks – and the Grove Park Business Centre which is home to more than 350 international firms.
The deal was led by senior director Gavin Wright in JLL’s hotels and hospitality team in Birmingham.
Gavin Wright, senior director (hotels and hospitality) at JLL, said: “The UK hotel sector has shown incredible resilience this year and remains an attractive asset class for investors.
“This is a strategic acquisition for Valary Hotels and an excellent addition to its portfolio – which now comprises three branded hotels across central England, totalling 523 bedrooms – and underlines the appetite we’ve seen throughout 2021 for quality regional hotels that provide opportunities to add value.”
Rajiv Nathwani, owner of Valary Hotels, said: “We are delighted to have acquired this hotel; being born in Leicester it is very close to my heart. We plan to significantly invest in the hotel and refurbish the property throughout. The hotel will operate under a franchise agreement with Hilton Hotels & Resorts with their successful DoubleTree brand and be managed by our operating partner Countrywide Hotels.”
