Accor Negotiates Acquisition of 17 Hotels in the Americas

Accor has entered exclusive talks with Royal Holiday Group to acquire management agreements for 17 properties across the Americas in a deal valued at $79 million, accelerating the Paris-based hotel giant's expansion in a region dominated by its U.S. rivals.

The portfolio spans about 3,200 rooms across Mexico, Argentina, and the U.S., Accor said Thursday.

The deal would strengthen Accor's position in North and South America, where it has historically struggled against competitors like Marriott, Hilton, Choice, Wyndham, and Hyatt. While Accor operates roughly 3,083 properties across Europe, its footprint in the Americas remains comparatively small.

If the deal is signed and regulators approve it, the properties will undergo $130 million in renovations over 30 months.

All-Inclusive Push

The agreement would include a half-dozen existing all-inclusive resorts in Mexico (1,660 keys), which would be managed by Ennismore, Accor's lifestyle hospitality joint venture. 

Following renovations, three properties in Cancun, Cozumel, and Puerto Vallarta will be rebranded under the Rixos Hotels flag, marking the all-inclusive resort brand's entry into the Americas. 

The premium all-inclusive resort market has become appealing to major hotel groups because it provides more point redemption opportunities through their loyalty programs. In February, Hyatt said it would buy Playa Resorts in a $2.6 billion deal, and last month there were reports that Sandals might be up for sale for about $6 billion.

Accor's Strategic Goals

Accor would manage eleven existing resorts and city hotels (1,540 keys) in Mexico, Argentina, and parts of the U.S., such as Puerto Rico.

The move would dovetail with Accor's plans to develop its lifestyle and all-inclusive offerings further. It said its network has seen a 25% compound annual growth rate over the past three years.

Three other resorts in Cancun, Acapulco, and Ixtapa will retain their existing branding. 

The remaining 11 properties would be rebranded under Accor's Swissôtel, Mercure, Mercure Living, or ibis Styles brands.

This investment aligns with Accor's commitments to enhance its presence in the Americas, which Group CEO Sébastien Bazin has identified as a key growth region. This acquisition would also advance Accor's asset-light growth strategy in the Americas, which has been another focal point under Bazin. 

The transaction comes when Accor is experiencing momentum in the region. In November 2024, the company outlined its intention to expand its Premium, Midscale & Economy (PM&E) portfolio in the Americas from 450 to 600 hotels by 2027. 

According to the group's annual report, it already has more hotels in South America than any of its global competitors.

The proposed deal reflects the company's dual strategic approach that emphasizes adding luxury brands for growth while leveraging economy offerings for profit stability, which Accor's Deputy Group CEO Jean-Jacques Morin spoke with Hospitality career profile about recently. Morin is set to speak at Hospitality career profile's Asia Forum in Bangkok on May 14-15.

The companies said they anticipated that they'll close the deal later in "the second semester" of this year.

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