Today’s news in brief – 29/4/25
Schroders Capital has acquired the 244-room W Edinburgh from Nuveen Real Estate for an undisclosed amount. Located in St James Square, the hotel is Marriott’s first W-branded property in Scotland and opened in November 2023. The site includes three interconnected buildings: the heritage-listed James Craig Walk, the newly constructed Quarter House, and the Ribbon Building with panoramic city views. Schroders Capital, which manages £3.1bn in hotel investments, plans to leverage the property’s long-term value and has prior successful partnerships with Marriott. Nuveen noted the sale marks a major milestone for the St James Quarter development and highlighted the hotel’s growing status, including its recent Scottish Hotel of the Year 2025 award.
Hilton reported a 2.5% year-on-year increase in system-wide RevPAR (revenue per available room) for Q1 2025, citing higher occupancy and average daily rates. Management and franchise fees rose by 5.1%, and adjusted EBITDA reached $795m (£594m) — a 6% increase from Q1 2024. The company added a net 14,000 rooms during the quarter and now has a development pipeline of over 503,000 rooms, reflecting 7% year-on-year growth. While Hilton projects flat to modest RevPAR growth for the full year, it expects net income between $1.7bn (£1.27bn) and $1.75bn (£1.31bn). CEO Christopher Nassetta expressed optimism about continued expansion and brand strength despite macroeconomic headwinds.
The Tankerville Arms Hotel in Wooler, Northumberland, has been listed for sale at £750,000 for the first time in 40 years. This Grade II-listed, 18th-century property features 17 ensuite bedrooms, a bar, restaurant, guest lounge, function room, beer garden, and private parking. Located near Northumberland National Park and the Cheviot Hills, the property is positioned to attract tourists year-round. Christie & Co’s Mark Worley noted it offers a significant opportunity for new ownership to build on a well-established business.
Malmaison and Hotel du Vin have promoted Chris Lyall to cluster general manager of both Newcastle locations, where he will also oversee a £2m refurbishment of Malmaison Newcastle’s bedrooms, scheduled for completion in autumn 2025. Lyall has been with the brand since 2015, rising from deputy GM to general manager. The refurbishment is part of a broader initiative to modernise all 18 Malmaison hotels. Executives praised Lyall’s leadership and local knowledge as key to enhancing the hotels’ prominence in Newcastle’s hospitality scene.
