Starboard Hotels Acquires Carillion Hotel Portfolio

Starboard Hotels, one of the UK’s fastest growing independent hotel owner/operators has today (March 6th) announced the purchase of four Ibis Styles hotels from beleaguered construction giant Carillion.

The hotels, which will remain as Ibis Styles and be operated by Starboard under franchise from Accor, are a significant addition to Starboard ‘s rapidly expanding portfolio. Located in Barnsley, Birmingham NEC, Crewe and Haydock the hotels work well within the geographical spread of the Starboard portfolio.

This latest raft of acquisitions, the first for Starboard in 2018, increases the company portfolio to 19 hotels with nearly 2000 rooms across world renowned brands including Accor, IHG, Wyndham and Best Western, as well as their own brand Windermere Manor Hotel in the Lake District.

The shares in the hotel owning companies were purchased from Carillion after being brought to the market by Knight Frank over a year ago for offers in excess of £30 million and purchased by Starboard for an undisclosed sum. Senior debt for the acquisition was provided by Bank Leumi.

Announcing the Ibis Styles acquisitions, Paul Callingham, Managing Director of Starboard Hotels said: “This is a substantial acquisition for Starboard and an important investment in protecting the future of these hotels and the people who work there. The four hotels fit perfectly within our portfolio and represent a significant investment for our business. Individually, the hotels are in excellent geographic locations and further increase our presence in the UK hotel sector across the country.”

Paul added: “We are thrilled to be bringing the four Ibis Styles hotels into the Starboard family and provide long term ownership and security to our people. My team and I have many years of experience across all areas of the hospitality sector, combined with a forward thinking approach to ensuring Starboard stays at the forefront of the country’s buoyant hotel market. These are exciting times for the industry and we are on course for continued growth with further acquisitions already in the pipeline for the early part of this year .”

Kerian Barnes, Group Operations Director added: “The recent introduction of SHAPE, Starboard Hotels Accelerator Programme, a unique new 12-month development project launched across all our brands in February, provides a fantastic opportunity for all our teams, including our latest recruits from the Ibis Styles, to develop their careers and experience of working in the hospitality sector.”

Said Kerian: “We know from our extensive experience in running multi-branded hotels, that our loyal customers like what we do and appreciate our commitment to providing the best facilities and unrivalled service. Our innovative approach to ensuring our hotels offer accessibility for all will be fully represented at our new properties as we continue to strive to be ‘best in class’ within the UK hospitality sector.”

The 166 bedroom Ibis Styles NEC Birmingham is ideal for visitors to the exhibition centre and travellers using Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International Station, It is headed up by General Manger Alison Harrison.

The Ibis Styles Haydock, with 102 bedrooms, is ideally positioned for Liverpool and Manchester city centres and airports, whilst being a popular accommodation choice for visitors to the world famous race courses at Haydock, Chester and Aintree. General Manager Marie Miller and her team will continue to run the hotel.

Across the Pennines in Barnsley, the 117-bed Ibis Styles, led by General Manager Dawne Carter, becomes the fourth Starboard Hotel property in Yorkshire, joining the Holiday Inn Express Leeds Armouries, the Days Inn Wetherby and sister Ibis hotel in Sheffield. Loaded with character, including intricate lighting riggings, monochrome murals and glass jar walls, this creatively decorated hotel is perfectly positioned for travellers on a northern adventure.

The Ibis Styles Crewe, with 112 bedrooms, is under the wing of General Manager David Tucker and boasts a pleasant terrace for al fresco dining through the day, and expertly shaken cocktails to be enjoyed on vintage Chesterfield sofas.

Ends

Editors: For further information please contact Nicolette Webster of Flex Media nicolette@flex-media.co.uk 07798 628429.

www.starboardhotels.com

Notes to editors Starboard Hotels is an award winning owner and operator of franchised hotels under the world’s leading brands such as Holiday Inn Express (IHG), Days Inn (Wyndham), Best Western and ibis/ Accor hotels.

With 15 hotels in key UK locations and over 1,500 bedrooms Starboard is a specialist in small and medium size UK based hotels ranging from limited service hotels to full service properties. Hotels in Starboard’s operating portfolio include the Best Western Carlton Hotel Blackpool and Best Western Plus Epping Forest Hotel, Days Inn Wetherby, Holiday Inn Express Greenock, the multi award-winning Holiday Inn Express Burnley, the Holiday Inn Express Leeds Armouries, Holiday Inn Express Tamworth, Holiday Inn Express Ramsgate Holiday Inn Derby, the Windemere Manor Hotel in the Lake District National Park and a number of Ibis Hotels in key UK cities such as Birmingham, Sheffield, Leicester, Plymouth and London Gatwick.

Starboard Hotels has been recognised with a number of industry awards. In 2014 the Holiday Inn Express Burnley was presented with the IHG’s Developing People award for its outstanding achievements in encouraging people to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. The hotel also won the category of Best Small Group Hotel Employer in Hospitality in 2013 and placed fourth in the Top 50 Best Employers in Hospitality at the Best Employers in Hospitality Awards the same year.