Compass Hospitality gets funding boost to expand UK hotel portfolio

Asian hotel operator Compass Hospitality has received a funding boost from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to support its expansion in the UK.

Compass currently operates 40 hotels in Thailand and Malaysia and eight in the UK, and is aiming to grow its position in the UK market.

The undisclosed sum has allowed the company to take over management of the Hawkwell House Hotel in Oxford as part of a 15-year agreement with Bangkok-based hotel operator Legacy Group.

Hawkwell House’s new owners are planning to refurbish the hotel to establish it in the four-star market.

Compass has previously managed three Legacy Group hotels in the Far East.

Matthew Welbourn, executive vice president of UK operations at Compass Hospitality, said: “We are very familiar with the standards Legacy Group expect and delighted we have been chosen to take over the management of this reputable establishment.

“With further investment from Royal Bank of Scotland, our aim is to increase our distribution strength with the UK Portfolio adding to an already impressive ecommerce capability.”

Last year RBS assisted Compass with its multi-million pound purchase of The Big Sleep Hotel’s UK portfolio, consisting of three hotels in Cheltenham, Cardiff and Eastbourne.