Nine Group buys Best Western Plus Reading Moat House off £12.5m guide price

Real estate investment company Nine Group intends to spend "millions" on the refurbishment and development of the 129-bedroom Best Western Plus Reading Moat House hotel, following its acquisition for an undisclosed sum of a guide price of £12.5m.

The hotel was sold by affiliates of MCAP Global Finance (UK), a subsidiary of New York-based investment company Marathon Asset Management. It was acquired by MCAP in 2014 as part of a portfolio of 11 hotels which were once previously owned and operated by Queens Moat House, once one of the biggest names in UK hotels.

Under Nine Group's ownership, the hotel has joined a 16-strong portfolio, founded by director Vivek Chadha in 2012. The group includes hotels operating under Holiday Inn, Mercure and Ibis brands.

Located in a Grade II-listed, 19th century former mill house which was converted in the 1980s, the Reading hotel has a 120-cover restaurant, 60-seat bar, five meeting rooms and adjoining pub. It is located within 9.5 acre grounds overlooking the River Loddon.

Chadha said that the acquisition is "a very strategic and long term purchase" for the group. "We plan to spend millions on the refurbishing and development on this hotel to make it a one-stop leisure and business destination. This hotel fits perfectly in our group's strategic expansion strategy."

Gavin Wright, director of JLL's Hotels & Hospitality Group, which marketed the hotel, added: "Given the strong corporate occupier base, the property has scope to be efficiently repositioned with or without a brand in order to further grow revpar."

Nine Group buys St Albans Noke hotel for £9m >>

Eleven QMH hotels acquired by Marathon Asset Management >>

QMH UK puts 11 hotels up for sale for around £150m >>

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