Mon 09 Jun 2025

Apex Hotels Limited - Acquisition of Dunblane Hydro Hotel Case Study

Apex Hotels Limited is a luxury hotel group based in the United Kingdom. They operate eight luxury hotels across some of the most popular cities, including London, Bath, Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow. Each hotel has its own unique personality and distinctive style, offering guests a luxurious and comfortable stay.

Dunblane Hydro Hotel (1)

Background

Apex Hotels Limited embarked on the acquisition of the historic Dunblane Hydro Hotel, located in Dunblane. This transaction involved purchasing the business, primarily through a long ground lease.

Scope of legal support

The acquisition required the integration of several specialist areas to provide a seamless service to Apex Hotels Limited. These areas included property, corporate, employment, pensions, commercial contracts and tax. The leasehold structure necessitated negotiations not only with the seller but also with the landlords to secure consent. Additionally, the existing hotel management agreement required negotiations with Hilton. All of this had to be accomplished within a tight timeframe imposed by the seller.

Our team worked diligently to integrate the various specialist areas involved in the transaction. We negotiated terms with the landlords to secure consent for the leasehold structure and worked closely with Hilton to address the complexities of the existing hotel management agreement. Our comprehensive approach ensured that all aspects of the acquisition were handled efficiently and effectively.

Conclusion

Apex Hotels Limited’s acquisition of Dunblane Hydro Hotel was delivered on time, despite a compressed timetable set by the seller. MFMac brought together expertise across real estate, hospitality, and commercial contracts—working closely with landlords and Hilton to secure a smooth, commercially sound outcome. This transaction reflects our ability to manage complex hotel deals under pressure, integrating specialist advice to deliver results without compromise.

This case study highlights our ability to handle complex hotel transactions involving multiple specialist areas and tight deadlines, providing a seamless service to our clients.

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