Aareal Bank refinances UK hotel portfolio

Aareal Bank has completed a £239.9 million senior loan to refinance the acquisition of a hotel portfolio for an opportunity fund advised by Tristan Capital Partners. Aareal Bank acted as sole arranger, facility and security agent for the financing.

Earlier this year Tristan’s opportunistic fund European Property Investors Special Opportunities 6 (EPISO 6) acquired a majority shareholding in Raag Hotels Limited which owns Point A Hotels brand. The portfolio comprises of 1,387 rooms across nine hotels in London, Edinburgh and Glasgow, the properties are managed and co-owned by Queensway, a family business specializing in European hospitality real estate and operations.

The borrowers were legally advised in this transaction by BCLP, Aareal Bank was advised by DLA and Ogiers for legal matters, while the valuation was carried out by JLL Hospitality.

What they said

Bettina Graef-Parker, managing director special property finance at Aareal Bank, said: “Hotels in the UK, particularly in London, have been recovering quickly, with performance already nearing pre-pandemic levels, proving the resilience of the sector. We have always believed that quality accommodations for both domestic and international travellers in prime locations will be in constant demand. Hotels therefore remain a key growth driver for Aareal Bank's commercial lending portfolio, and for good reason.”