In fact, Spain’s hotel investment market overtook Germany as the second-most liquid in EMEA.
RevPAR also climbed 8.8 percent to €85.29, according to STR. And, according to PwC data, Spain’s occupancy and ADR were above its long-term averages and growth is expected to continue in 2018, with Barcelona and Madrid projected to deliver a RevPAR growth of 5.2 percent and 8 percent, respectively.
Still, challenges are on the horizon. Escalating tourist numbers in Barcelona are grating locals and the city recently passed a law to limit the number of new hotels.
The Buyers
Domestic and international buyers are being drawn to Spain’s “improving economy together with impressive hotel operating performance and a booming tourism industry,” saidPatrick Saade, JLL co-head of investment sales in Spain. He also said that there are many undercapitalized Spanish resorts in need of refurbishment, which could allow an investor to swoop in, buy, renovate than flip as needed.
International investment accounted for half of Spain’s hotel transaction volumes in 2017, with half of those investors coming from within Europe. North American buyers followed closely, making up another 40 percent. The Canary Islands remained the favorite destination, at €939 million or 27 percent of total volume.
Major international investors such as Fonciere des Regions, Area and Batipar have been playing an increasingly prominent role in the Spanish hotel investment market, says Chan. “These investors tend to hold their investments for an extended period, providing stability and depth to the market,” said Saade,
The largest hotel transaction last year was Blackstone’s acquisition of Hotel Investment Partners’ portfolio of 14 hotels with 3,700 guest rooms for €630 million from Banco Sabadell. On the lending front, Spain’s major banks, such as Banca Sabadell, Santander and BBVA, have helped facilitate real estate transactions due to the volume of real estate assets they control.
Other transactions include the sale of Edificio España to Riu Hotels Resorts for €136 million and the Wave portfolio—comprising four hotels in San Antonio, Palma Nova, Puerto Del Carmen and Torremolinos, —by London Regional Properties.
On the MA front, JLL noted that NH Hotels might be the next in line as China’s HNA is seeking to sell its 30 percent in the company, according to Reuters.
About JLL’s Hotels Hospitality Group
JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. AFortune 500 company, JLL helps real estate owners, occupiers and investors achieve their business ambitions. In 2016, JLL had revenue of $6.8 billion and fee revenue of $5.8 billion and, on behalf of clients, managed 4.4 billion square feet, or 409 million square meters, and completed sales acquisitions and finance transactions of approximately $136 billion. At year-end 2016, JLL had nearly 300 corporate offices, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of more than 77,000. As of December 31, 2016, LaSalle Investment Management has $60.1 billion of real estate under asset management. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit www.jll.co.uk
