Crerar Hotel Group acquired by Blantyre and Fairtree

The Crerar Hotel Group has announced that it has been taken over by Blantyre Capital Limited and its operating partner Fairtree Hotel Investments.

Crerar’s portfolio of seven 4 and 5-star hotels will form a key part of the new owners’ plans to build a significant luxury UK hotel portfolio.

This acquisition marks Blantyre and Fairtree’s fourth landmark hospitality purchase within the UK since 2021 having also acquired Fonab Castle and Dunkeld House Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland and the Daffodil Hotel and Spa in Cumbria, England.

Chris Wayne-Wills will remain in his post as Crerar Hotels CEO supported by his existing team.

Paddy Crerar and his co-director Nigel Dearnley, although no longer connected to Crerar
Hotels, will retain a formal link with the new board.

Paddy Crerar CBE, outgoing chairman, said: “We set out to deliver the type of hotels and service that properly reflects Scotland – a world class destination that is consistently a podium finisher in the global tourism marketplace. It’s been an absolute joy seeing our ambitions flourish and be rewarded by guest demand and loyalty.”

“The current year we believe will be our best yet with double digit growth forecasted in every month ahead. After getting to know the new potential owners it was soon clear that they shared identical aims and ambitions to those we have worked hard to foster at Crerar Hotels.”

Joe Bester of Fairtree added: “Both Nic Ross and I, at Fairtree, are hugely excited to be expanding our hotel portfolio in Scotland with the addition of the Crerar Hotel Group, which offers a variety of beautiful hotels in iconic locations across Scotland.

“The pride the group has in offering an exceptional guest experience is an excellent fit with the existing portfolio properties, and we are looking forward to building on the huge opportunity this acquisition offers us to expand and enhance the portfolio within the national and international marketplace.”