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

The Dunblane Hydro Hotel, now known as DoubleTree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro, is a stunning Victorian-era establishment located near the Trossachs in Central Scotland. It was originally opened in 1878 as the Dunblane Hydropathic Establishment, designed by renowned Scottish architects Peddie and Kinnear. The hotel was initially a Victorian health spa resort, welcoming guests who came to drink the local spring water and enjoy a range of hydropathic treatments.

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.

Legal Services provided

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, Lone Star.

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

The acquisition of Dunblane Hydro Hotel by Apex Hotels Limited was successfully completed within the tight timeframe imposed by Lone Star. Our seamless integration of specialist areas and effective negotiations with landlords and Hilton ensured a smooth and successful transaction for our client.

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

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