Blackstone Acquires Village Hotels Amid UK Hospitality Surge

28 Jun 2024 CW Team

Private equity firm Blackstone has finalized the acquisition of British hotel operator Village Hotels, marking a strategic move into the flourishing hospitality sector. The deal, confirmed by Blackstone underscores a growing investor interest in leisure properties amidst a robust recovery in the commercial real estate market.

Blackstone, through funds managed by the firm, has purchased Village Hotels, which operates a network of 33 mid-market hotels across various British cities and suburbs. The acquisition is expected to bolster Blackstone's presence in the UK leisure market, following its successful 2021 acquisition of holiday park-owner Bourne Leisure.

James Seppala, Head of Real Estate Europe at Blackstone, expressed optimism about the investment, stating, "We see great potential in lodging and leisure as a sector." This acquisition aligns with Blackstone's broader strategy to capitalize on the recovery and growth opportunities within the hospitality industry.

Although financial details of the transaction were not disclosed, earlier reports by Sky News suggested that Village Hotels was valued at approximately ?850 million ($1.1 billion) during the sale process. The transaction was advised by Lazard and Santander on behalf of Blackstone, while Morgan Stanley represented Village Hotels' previous owner, KSL Capital Partners.

The acquisition of Village Hotels adds to Blackstone's portfolio of hospitality assets in the UK, positioning the firm strategically in a sector poised for continued expansion. As global travel rebounds and consumer spending on leisure experiences increases, investments in hospitality are increasingly attractive to financial investors looking for stable returns in a post-pandemic economy.

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

Mizoram To Build Rs 139 Billion Pumped Storage Power Plant

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday announced plans to construct a 2,400 MW pumped storage hydroelectric power plant in Hnahthial district, marking a major step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency in the state. Addressing the Mizo Students’ Union general conference in Hnahthial town, the Chief Minister said the plant would be developed across the Darzo Nallah, a tributary of the Tuipui river. Once operational, the project is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting Mizoram’s rising electricity demand and reducing dependence on imported power. Officials from the State Power..

Centre Plans Nationwide Opening Of Power Retail Market

India is preparing to open up its retail electricity market to private companies nationwide, effectively ending the long-standing monopoly of state-run power distributors in most regions, according to a draft bill released by the Union Power Ministry on Friday. The move will enable major private sector players — including Adani Enterprises, Tata Power, Torrent Power, and CESC — to expand their presence across the country’s electricity distribution landscape. A similar reform attempt in 2022 had faced strong opposition from state-run distribution companies (discoms), which currently dom..

CEA Sets 100 GW Nuclear Target For India By 2047

In a landmark step marking its 52nd Foundation Day, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) unveiled an ambitious roadmap to develop 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, aligning with India’s long-term Net-Zero commitment and energy security objectives. The event, held at the Central Water Commission auditorium in New Delhi’s R.K. Puram, was attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, who served as the Chief Guest. The roadmap sets out a detailed plan to expand India’s nuclear capacity from its current level of approximately 8,180 MW as of early 2025, outl..