Hospitality

We are nationally recognized for our innovative work and extensive experience in the hospitality industry.

We handle all levels of hospitality transactions across the United States and around the world, including high-profile, large-scale projects in key markets and middle-market, owner-operated projects. Our experience includes acquisitions, dispositions, development projects, financings, franchise and management agreements, public/private partnership developments, and the negotiation of complicated capital structures. Our team has real-world experience on all sides of the deal. We understand “market” value for transactions, even when the market is changing. Our deep-rooted experience allows us to foresee and resolve issues, bringing a practiced eye and thorough approach to proactively represent and protect your company in all types of ventures. Our knowledge and leadership are nationally recognized by Chambers USA, including a national ranking for both the practice and several of our team’s partners. We are also nationally ranked as a leading Real Estate firm by Best Lawyers^® Best Law Firms, as well as for our hospitality/leisure practice.

Services we provide:

• Acquisitions and dispositions.
• Hotel, resort, and spa development.
• Purchase and sale agreements, sale-leasebacks, and asset sales.
• Management contracts and related hotel development agreements.
• Franchise matters.
• Structuring joint ventures and partnerships.
• Branded residences.
• Public/private partnerships.
• Real estate funds.
• Financing and restructuring of hospitality assets.
• Mezzanine and preferred equity financing.
• CMBS financing.
• Construction contracts and litigation.
• Hospitality-related litigation.
• Tax structuring.
• Technical services agreements.

• Represented longstanding client in the sale of The Diplomat Beach Resort, which was the largest single asset hospitality transaction within the US since March 2020. The Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) named the sale its 2023 Single Asset Transaction of the Year.
• Represented developer in connection with the acquisition of land and construction loan for a spa and wellness center in Sedona, Arizona.
• Represented hotel owner in its acquisition and financing of the Hampton Inn & Suites in Charlotte/Ballantyne, North Carolina.
• Represented hotel owner and developer in the acquisition and financing of a two-hotel portfolio in Cincinnati, OH, and Lexington, KY, and related brand conversion.
• Represented client in the refinancing of numerous hotels in five states, including the refinancing of several existing senior and mezzanine loans with two senior loans and a mezzanine loan.
• Represented Hyatt Hotels Corporation in the acquisition of the Miraval Group from KSL Capital Partners, LLC. The transaction included the acquisition of the flagship Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa, the Travassa Austin resort in Austin, Texas and the 380-acre Cranwell Spa & Golf Resort in Lenox, Mass, along with Miraval Life in Balance Spa brand, which operates a resort in Dana Point, California.
• Represented client in the $560 million senior and mezzanine refinancing of The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida, from a trio of banks led by Morgan Stanley. The senior loan was subsequently placed in a single-asset securitization trust. The deal was the largest sale of a hotel or any other hospitality asset in the United States since March 2020.
• Represented client in its joint venture on a $210 million balance sheet from Citibank for the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne.
• Represented client in its $109 million sale of a boutique hotel in Boston, Massachusetts.
• Represented an international private equity fund in the sale of a 22-acre hotel and resort complex in Napa Valley to a family office on behalf of an equity fund and preferred investor.
• Represented Playa Hotels & Resorts in the negotiation of the strategic alliance with Wyndham Hotels, focused on the creation of a new, all-inclusive hotel brand, Wyndham Altra. This is Wyndham’s first brand dedicated to the all-inclusive resort space.
• Represented a boutique hotel owner and developer in negotiation of a complex management agreement for the development and operation of a set of luxury cabins, a restaurant and indoor/outdoor event space in Kingston, NY.
• Represented client in its management agreements with four independent management companies and multiple franchise agreements with Marriott International in connection with its acquisition of the Watermark Lodging Trust for $3.8 billion in October 2022.
• Represented client in the origination of a $315 million refinancing loan for the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
• Represented Playa Hotels & Resorts in the $82 million disposition of the Jewel Punta Cana Resort and Jewel Palm Beach Resort in the Dominican Republic.
• Represented client in its acquisition and related operational and transactional matters by Hyatt Hotels and Resorts for up to $335 million.
• Represented client in its development of a Marriott-branded convention center hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio. The deal is part of a large redevelopment plan by the city and is partially funded by a number of tax credits and public incentive financings.
• Represented a hotel operator in connection with its agreement with the Port Authority of NY and NJ, as well as LaGuardia Gateway Partners, to manage the Central Hall of the $8 billion transformed LaGuardia Airport.
• Represented client in its management and franchise agreements in connection with its $3.8 billion acquisition of Watermark Lodging Trust.
• Represented a luxury hotel operator in the management of a mixed-use property located in West Palm Beach, Florida, consisting of a hotel, private club, residences, multiple restaurants, spa and fitness, event and ballroom space, and retail.
• Represented client in its $250 million cross-collateralized CMBS refinancing of two resort properties in Georgia and Florida.