RBH appointed to manage Heathrow site 

Asset manager Sidra Capital has transferred management of its Heathrow T5 hotel property to RBH, amid the site’s rebranding from a Travelodge hotel to Accor’s ibis Budget Heathrow T5.

The firm has been appointed to oversee a phased refurbishment of the 297-bed hotel and its rebranding, and it will also manage the hotel’s commercial operations once rebranding is complete.  

It comes as Sidra Capital was the first landlord to terminate its relationship with Travelodge after a recent CVA.

Hani Baothman, chairman of Sidra Capital, said: “We acquired this undermanaged hotel with the long run intention of re-branding to realise its full potential. 

“The Travelodge CVA has provided an early opportunity to progress the strategy and we look forward to working with RBH and Accor to bring this new offering to Heathrow and the travel and leisure market. We are investing additional capital to ensure the hotel meets the demands of a future thriving market.”

Susan Bland, managing director at RBH, said: “We’re excited to extend a warm welcome to the hotel team as they become part of the RBH family, and cannot wait to see the property transformed over the coming months.

“Not only does this represent yet another step in our growth alongside franchise partner, Accor, it also signals RBH’s return to the Heathrow market, where we opened our very first hotel in 2000.”

The capital works on the property will be overseen by RBH’s chief technical officer, Gregor MacNaughton, and his team.

MacNaughton said: “I am delighted to work with the team at Sidra Capital on what will be the fifteenth hotel rebrand managed by my team here at RBH.

“Despite the challenging economic environment, at the moment, we are all focused on the long-term goal for this hotel – upgrading to a high standard, providing guests with fantastic service and maximising returns.”