Valary Hotels buys 179-bedroom, four-star Hilton Leicester

Real estate and investment management specialist JLL has advised on the sale of the Hilton Leicester to Valary Hotels Limited.

The deal for the 179-bedroom, four-star hotel next to Fosse Park and junction 21 of the M1, follows what JLL has called a year of “sustained demand for quality regional hotels, with value-add opportunities”.

The freehold property – sold for an undisclosed sum – is the latest addition to Valary Hotels’ growing portfolio in the UK and is the first acquisition in Leicestershire for the group’s Leicester born owner.

JLL said the Hilton Leicester will benefit from investment across its facilities, which include a bar, two restaurants, eight meeting rooms, as well as a LivingWell Health Club with indoor swimming pool, gym and sauna.

Following refurbishment, the hotel will operate under a franchise agreement with Hilton Hotels and Resorts under the DoubleTree brand and will be managed by Countrywide Hotels.

As well as being situated near one of UK’s biggest out-of-town retail parks it is also close to the Grove Park business park which is home to tenants including Countryside Properties, RSM, BHW Solicitors, Sytner Motor Group, Topps Tiles , MyHomeMove and BHIB Insurance.

Valary Hotels owner Rajiv Nathwani said: “We are delighted to have acquired this hotel; being born in Leicester it is very close to my heart.

“We plan to significantly invest in the hotel and refurbish the property throughout.”

The deal was led by senior director Gavin Wright in JLL’s hotels and hospitality team in Birmingham.

Gavin Wright, senior director (hotels and hospitality) at JLL, said: “The UK hotel sector has shown incredible resilience this year and remains an attractive asset class for investors.

“This is a strategic acquisition for Valary Hotels and an excellent addition to its portfolio – which now comprises three branded hotels across central England, totalling 523 bedrooms – and underlines the appetite we’ve seen throughout 2021 for quality regional hotels that provide opportunities to add value.”