Marriott International has agreed to acquire Caribbean chain Elegant Hotels Group for around £101 million, as part of plans to grow its all-inclusive resort division.
Elegant owns and operates seven hotels totalling 588 rooms, as well as a beachfront restaurant on the island of Barbados.
Marriott said that it intends to carry out renovations of the properties following acquisition, and subsequently to operate them as all-inclusive resorts “under one or more of Marriott’s collection brands”.
The group also said that it would market the hotels for sale under long-term management agreements, in line with Marriott’s asset-light strategy.
Earlier this summer Marriott announced plans to open its first all-inclusive properties, located in the Caribbean and Mexico.
The group’s president and CEO Arne Sorenson said that there was “a strong and growing consumer demand for premium and luxury properties in the all-inclusive category”
“The addition of the Elegant portfolio will help us further jumpstart our expansion in the all-inclusive space, while providing more choices on the breathtaking island of Barbados for our 133 million Marriott Bonvoy members,” Sorenson added.
The Elegant Hotels collection includes Treasure Beach, described as “an adult only boutique hotel for the senses”, and Crystal Cove – “an all-inclusive escape for sophisticated romantics”.
