Bourne Leisure acquires two UK-based hotels

UK holiday operator Bourne Leisure has acquired the Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club in Edinburgh and The Forest of Arden Country Club in the Midlands as part of the group’s expansion of its Warner Leisure portfolio. The four-star Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club, situated 30 minutes from Edinburgh city centre, will be Warner Leisure Hotels' first operation in Scotland. The hotel includes a Grade A manor house alongside two golf courses, leisure facilities, restaurants, bars and 215 bedrooms, set over 1,000 acres. Meanwhile, The Forest of Arden Country Club, will add to the group's offerings in the Midlands, with the 4-star golf hotel situated 20 minutes from Birmingham, set over 10,000 acres of woodlands, offering two golf courses, including a championship golf course, multiple restaurants and bars, 214 bedrooms, a leisure club and conference facilities. International law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) advised on the acquisition and the deal was led by the head of the firm's Corporate Finance practice, Ben Butler, and Corporate Finance managing associate, David Ridley. Paul Flaum, Bourne Leisure CEO, said: “We are delighted to add these two wonderful hotels to our portfolio, each with fantastic facilities and both in excellent locations, including our first-ever hotel in Scotland. “Our confidence in the future growth prospects of the company continues and we look forward to redeveloping the hotels to a high-quality signature Warner Leisure Hotels offering. The compelling brand and short-break proposition, which includes entertainment, dining and daytime activities at the hotel, mean our guests continue to return to enjoy the unique experience that Warner Leisure Hotels offers. We very much look forward to introducing a whole new audience to the experience too.” Butler added: "This is the third transaction on which we have supported the Bourne Leisure team and it's always a privilege to work with them. Bourne is an important client for Womble Bond Dickinson and we are delighted to have advised them on this transaction to add two prestigious hotels to their impressive portfolio. “They have ambitious plans to expand the Warner Leisure portfolio, and this deal represents a huge step on that exciting journey."