Great National completes merger with The Hotel Partnership

Great National Hotels and Resorts has announced completion of the merger with The Hotel Partnership for an undisclosed sum. The merger brings the group to a combined total of 135 hotels, making it one of the largest independent hotel services companies in Europe with 8,150 bedrooms. The deal will see the two organisations combine their technology, marketing and distribution services. Established in 2010, Great National currently represents 64 mainly three-star deluxe and four-star independent hotels and resorts throughout Ireland and the UK. The group also co-owns several of these hotels which are operated under management contracts. The Hotel Partnership, established in 2001, trades under the brand ‘Classic British Hotels’ and comprises a collection of 71 mainly four-star deluxe properties – and soon to be five-star properties - throughout the UK. The group will also continue to operate under two independent brands, ‘Great National Hotels and Resorts’ and ‘Classic British Hotels’. Great National CEO and co-founder David Byrne, said: “We are delighted to make this announcement today in conjunction with The Hotel Partnership. Both Len Louis, chairman, and Nicola Rhone, managing director, of The Hotel Partnership will be bringing their significant talents and experience to the Great National Hotels and Resorts Group board. “They will work alongside our own Great National UK managing director, Paul Abson, promoting our collective services to our existing and our prospective hotel clients throughout Ireland and the UK.” Byrne added: “Both our companies specialise in tapping latent growth and accelerating revenues for independent hotels across a range of complementing market sectors, from leisure to corporate.” Len Louis added: “We see this as a real opportunity despite the business uncertainty caused by Brexit. Although we anticipate continued trading challenges for independent operators in both markets, we believe that the combined expertise, depth of knowledge, technology-led approach and range of services offered by the new group 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.”