Key Takeaways
- • Starboard Hotels and LaSalle Investment Management's joint venture acquired seven Accor hotels across the UK in September 2026, taking Starboard's portfolio to 28 hotels and more than 3,000 rooms.
- • The seven hotels were sold by Ares Real Estate Funds and EQ Group, and total approximately 913 bedrooms.
- • The hotels continue to operate under Accor franchises and will be managed by Starboard.
- • The deal extends Starboard's track record of growth through acquisition, which has taken the company from 13 hotels in early 2017 to 28 today.
Summary
A joint venture between Starboard Hotels and LaSalle Investment Management has acquired seven Accor hotels in key UK markets from Ares Real Estate Funds and EQ Group, according to Hotel Owner's report dated 8 September 2026. The seven properties contain 913 bedrooms in total. Following the purchase, Starboard's portfolio grows to 28 hotels and more than 3,000 rooms.
The hotels will continue to trade under Accor franchise agreements, with Starboard responsible for management. The transaction is the latest in a series of acquisitions by the independent UK owner-operator, which has grown from 13 hotels in early 2017 to 19 in 2018 and 21 by 2023 before this deal. Starboard's brand partners include Accor, IHG, Hilton, Marriott, Best Western and Wyndham, alongside independent properties such as The Windermere Manor Hotel in the Lake District.
The company has also invested heavily in redevelopment, including a £26m new-build Hampton by Hilton at Park Royal, a £14m rebuild of ibis Styles Gatwick and a £4m conversion of an ibis Styles at Birmingham NEC into its first Marriott-branded hotel. Starboard's financing relationships include Leumi UK and OakNorth Bank. Paul Callingham is executive chairman, and Keith Griffiths previously served as managing director before moving to Cycas Hospitality. Further terms of the transaction, including the purchase price, were not available in the sources reviewed.
The hotels will continue to trade under Accor franchise agreements, with Starboard responsible for management. The transaction is the latest in a series of acquisitions by the independent UK owner-operator, which has grown from 13 hotels in early 2017 to 19 in 2018 and 21 by 2023 before this deal. Starboard's brand partners include Accor, IHG, Hilton, Marriott, Best Western and Wyndham, alongside independent properties such as The Windermere Manor Hotel in the Lake District.
The company has also invested heavily in redevelopment, including a £26m new-build Hampton by Hilton at Park Royal, a £14m rebuild of ibis Styles Gatwick and a £4m conversion of an ibis Styles at Birmingham NEC into its first Marriott-branded hotel. Starboard's financing relationships include Leumi UK and OakNorth Bank. Paul Callingham is executive chairman, and Keith Griffiths previously served as managing director before moving to Cycas Hospitality. Further terms of the transaction, including the purchase price, were not available in the sources reviewed.
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