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First Bay-Area Modular Hotel Open for Business

Hotel LoansModular construction strategies are becoming more popular throughout the industry. The recent opening of the Bay Area’s first modular hotel project, Home2 Suites by Hilton, demonstrates this trend. Acquiring the right hotel loans will provide the necessary funding to explore modular building methods and to promote the highest return on investment. Here are some of the highlights of the Home2 Suites project and the modular building processes used in its construction.

The Specifics of the Hilton Modular Hotel

The Home2 Suites project not only represents a first for the Bay Area but also a first for Hilton in modular hotel construction. The property encompasses 57,000 square feet and includes 155 suites complete with kitchen, a game room, shared spaces and a combined laundry and fitness areas. Hilton also included solar panels capable of producing almost half of the necessary energy to power these spaces. A bio-retention pond located on the property will filter run-off, which will help to reduce the carbon footprint of this innovative hospitality development. Free internet access and pet-friendly policies round out the exceptional amenities included in the Home2 Suites guest experience.

Benefits of Modular Construction

Modular building methods will typically speed up the construction process, reducing the cost of labor and providing the best return on investment for your project. It may even provide added support in acquiring the right hotel construction financing for your needs. Because the components of the building are created offsite under controlled conditions, weather is no longer a major factor in the ability to produce these components. This allows higher standards of quality for the components by allowing testing before they are put to use in building the hotel.

Determining the Right Approach to Financing

Because modular construction is relatively new to the hospitality industry, companies may find it difficult to obtain the right hotel loans for these types of projects. An experienced hotel loan and financing company can help you obtain quick approval for desirable financing for modular hotel projects.

At Stonehill, we specialize in the hotel loans you need to achieve your goals in the hospitality industry. Our hotel financing team will work with you to ensure the best solutions for your needs and your upcoming projects. Give us a call today at 713-666-2544 to discuss your funding requirements with our team. We look forward to the chance to serve you.

Taco Bell Boutique Hotel Opening for a Limited Time This Summer

Hotel FinancingTaco Bell recently announced the newest addition to its lineup. Rather than a new restaurant location or menu item, this upcoming arrival is a theme hotel that offers accommodations designed for the most committed Taco Bell fans. The hotel has been dubbed “The Bell” and is expected to open on August 9, 2019 for a limited time. This pop-up hotel concept highlights the need for innovative short-term and long-term hotel financing options for hospitality companies.

Taco Bell With All the Trimmings

The Bell will feature many of the most popular menu items currently found on the Taco Bell menu, including Baja Blast frozen drinks, tacos and sauces. New menu items will also be introduced as an exclusive feature of The Bell. According to those in the know, the Taco Bell theme will be carried through the entire establishment. Pool floats will be emblazoned with Taco Bell branding. Guests will even be able to visit an on-site gift shop and salon that will offer theme-inspired hairstyles and nail art.

Reservations Available Starting in June

The Bell will begin accepting reservations sometime in June 2019. Prices and available dates have not yet been released for the new hotel. The Bell, however, is not Taco Bell’s first venture into the hospitality industry. In 2016, the food-service company entered into a partnership with Airbnb to host four fans in a Steakcation event in Ontario, Canada. This event was designed to draw attention to the release of the Steak Doubledilla, a new menu item released during that year.

The Right Solutions for Hotel Financing

The projected success of the Taco Bell pop-up hotel is a good example of the opportunities made possible with the right hotel lending arrangements. It is likely that Taco Bell and the Yum! Brands conglomerate can afford the cost of this temporary hotel out-of-pocket. However, other businesses in the hospitality industry benefit from short and long-term hotel loans that can allow for timely renovations and acquisitions.

At Stonehill Strategic Capital, we work with hotels and other companies in the hospitality industry to provide the hotel financing needed to maintain profitability. We are direct lenders and can provide permanent, preferred equity, bridge and mezzanine hotel financing. Give us a call today at 713-666-2544 to discuss your financing requirements with our team. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you.

Iconic Hotels Undergo Renovations for a Brand-New Look

Hotel FinancingSome of the most iconic and luxurious hotels in the world are undergoing renovations and updates to ensure their continuing success in the hospitality industry. The right hotel financing options are critical to provide financial support for these major projects. Many large-scale renovations and reconstructions are occurring in the hotel industry this year.

The Hotel Okura in Tokyo

A landmark location next to the U.S. embassy in Tokyo, the Hotel Okura began reconstruction in 2015 and is expected to reopen in September 2019. The project is estimated to cost $979 million and will feature two new towers with a combined total of 18 stories worth of office space.

The Mandarin Oriental in Hyde Park, London

With a grand reopening date sometime in Spring 2019, the Mandarin Oriental will hope for better luck with this renovation project. After completing an upgrade and refurbishment project in 2018, the newly remodeled hotel was severely damaged by fire just one week after its opening. Three bars and a spa and fitness center opened in December 2018.

One Aldwych in Covent Garden, London

Another London property, One Aldwych in Covent Garden, will enjoy an update courtesy of designs by Robert Angell, a leading creative force in the hospitality industry. There is no word yet on the type of hotel construction financing chosen for the upgrade to the 150 rooms of this establishment. Four new suites and enhanced technological support are among the most important changes to this London icon.

The Grand Hotel Quellenhof in Switzerland

Closing in February 2019 and expected to remain offline for four months, the Grand Hotel Quellenhof is part of the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz. This is a popular stop for guests interested in spa treatments at the thermal waters of the Tamina gorge. Founded in 1869, the Grand Hotel Quellenhof is undergoing a much-needed update and renovation. The project is expected to cost about $42 million.

Raffles Hotel in Singapore

The renovations that began in 2017 are still underway at this instantly recognizable and iconic hotel. The Raffles Hotel will incorporate restaurants by famed chefs Anne-Sophie Pic and Alain Ducasse. The hotel will also feature soundproofed rooms and improved access to electric outlets. A careful balance has been struck, however, between the necessary upgrades and the classic aesthetic of this one-of-a-kind hotel.

At Stonehill, we offer innovative hotel loans designed to suit your needs and to help you make the most positive impression on your guests. We provide hotel financing for renovations, rebuilds and new acquisitions for clients in the U.S. and around the world. Call our office today at 713-666-2544 to discuss your hotel financing needs with us. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you.

Key Hotel Financing Trends for 2018 and 2019

Hotel LoansFinding the right hotel loans help you make the most profitable investments in the hospitality industry. By monitoring current trends in the financial marketplace, you gain the understanding of right funding options for your upcoming acquisitions, renovations or expansions. There were many trends in the hotel lending marketplace for 2018 and 2019.

Increased Fluidity in the Hotel Financing Marketplace

While values and sales have remained strong throughout 2018, the hotel financing market has been booming for investors and hotel owners. Private equity arrangements are gaining in popularity for acquiring and financing larger chain hotels and franchises. For smaller hotels, alternative lending options are developing into the traditional financing marketplace.

A Slowdown in New Construction

Demand for hotel accommodations and new properties in many areas are strong. However, most experts believe that hotel construction financing will continue to see a downturn in 2019. At least part of the recent slowdown in new construction is associated with tariffs on building materials coming from overseas. This has led to slower growth in the hotel construction field and reduced the need for funding.

Increased Renovation and Refinancing

In 2018, lenders saw a marked increase in the refinance market. This trend is expected to continue through 2019, as hotel owners and investors hang on to properties rather than attempting to sell them. Rising interest rates also make accessing equity in existing properties more appealing than acquire financing for new hotel acquisitions. Finding the right hotel loans and solutions allow for flexibility in managing upgrades to existing hotel properties.

Shopping for the Right Lenders

For most real estate investors, the right lending has a significant impact on the profitability of their hospitality investments. For 2019, these investors are likely to be particular about the lenders they work with for their financing needs. Working with a leading company in hotel lending helps investors to obtain the right arrangements for their funding requirements.

As an established leader in the hotel lending marketplace, Stonehill provides a wide range of financial options for investors in need of solutions. We offer a variety of loans designed to suit the needs of our clients perfectly. Call us today at 713-666-2544 to discuss your hotel loans and financing requirements and to schedule a consultation with us. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you.

Stonehill Projects Record Year in Transaction Activity

Stonehill hit a record high in the first quarter, closing approximately $190 million in hotel financing. That follows a strong 2015, in which the Atlanta-based direct lender executed on 23 transactions. With a substantial number of projects already in the pipeline, the company is actively funding acquisitions and recapitalizations for both stabilized and transitional assets with strong flags in secondary and tertiary markets.

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