Today’s news in brief – 11/11/24

The Amano Hotel in Covent Garden, London, has received a £51m refinancing deal from Virgin Money’s Hotel and Real Estate finance division. This financing supports the luxury hotel’s ongoing operations and growth as part of the Amano Group, a brand known for its stylish hotels across Europe. Opened in 2022, the Amano Hotel Covent Garden is positioned as a flagship property. Philip Rokeach, Amano group director, remarked on its success and looks forward to expanding the Amano brand in London. Virgin Money’s Peter Upton praised the group’s quality and location, and Excellion Capital, an advisory partner, highlighted the refinancing as a step towards Amano’s ambitious UK expansion.

Travelodge has acquired an office building, Genesis House in St. Paul’s, London, to convert it into a 95-room hotel with a restaurant. Pending planning approval, conversion will begin in 2026, aiming to open by 2027. CEO Jo Boydell explained that converting existing office buildings supports their UK development strategy and sustainable expansion, addressing demand for budget hotels while reducing the environmental impact of new builds. Travelodge currently operates 82 hotels in London and has identified over 300 target locations across the UK for further expansion.

Whitbread, owner of Premier Inn, is planning a new 200-room hotel at Edinburgh Airport. In partnership with Riverstone Hotels, the project involves a four-story building with convenient access to the airport terminal. The hotel will include Premier Inn’s latest amenities and sustainability features, like renewable energy and a BREEAM “very good” rating. With Edinburgh Airport’s rising passenger numbers, Whitbread aims to meet growing demand and increase its presence at strategic locations. Public consultations for the project will take place in November and December, with the hotel potentially breaking ground next year if approved.