One of the UK’s leading independent groups of 4-star hotels, The Hotel Partnership, has merged with Great National Hotels and Resorts, Ireland’s largest independent hotel chain, creating one of the largest independent hotel services companies in Europe with 135 hotels and more than 8,150 bedrooms.
The deal will see the two organisations combine their technology, marketing and distribution services, offering a full suite of solutions for independent hotels throughout the UK and Ireland.
The new business entity will maintain its two independent brand titles, which are ‘Great National Hotels and Resorts’ and ‘Classic British Hotels’.
David Byrne, Great National Hotels and Resorts Chief Executive and co-founder, comments, “We are delighted. Both Len Louis, Chairman, and Nicola Rhone, Managing Director, of The Hotel Partnership bring their significant experience to the Great National Hotels and Resorts Group board, and will work alongside our own Great National UK Managing Director, Paul Abson, promoting our collective services to existing and prospective hotel clients throughout Ireland and the UK.”
Commenting on the timing of the merger in the context of Brexit, Len Louis said “We see this deal as a real opportunity despite potential Brexit challenges. We anticipate continued trading challenges for business in both markets but we now have the combined expertise, depth of knowledge, technology-led approach and range of services which will give us a greater competitive edge and real strength in the marketplace, whilst offering the independent hotel sector a truly comprehensive set of revenue-driving solutions.’’
Founded in 2010, Great National Hotels and Resorts currently represents over 64 3-star deluxe and 4-star hotels and resorts throughout Ireland and the UK, while the Hotel Partnership was established in 2001 and trades under the brand ‘Classic British Hotels’. The company comprises a collection of 71 mainly 4-star deluxe properties and shortly 5-star properties throughout the UK.
This announcement follows on the back of a second round of investment by Enterprise Ireland into Great National which will co-fund bespoke artificial intelligence revenue management software designed to automate yielding and ultimately reduce third party commissions paid by hotels. Great National is also set to announce further investment in Q3 2018 following a second-round equity release. Funds from this will also be re-invested into the business to further strengthen both brands and to secure future growth. The Great National group remains debt free following this latest phase of expansion.