Finalists of the HICAP Deal of the Year Awards 2020

The organizers of the annual Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific have unveiled the finalists of the HICAP Deal of the Year Awards in the categories of Reggie Shiu Development of the Year, Single Asset Transaction of the Year, and Merger & Acquisition of the Year.

The awards will be presented at the 31st HICAP which will be held virtually on 21-23 October 2020.

Finalists for the Reggie Shiu Development of the Year Award 2020

Ace Hotel Kyoto, Japan

This 213-room LEED Silver certified hotel opened in June 2020 and brings new life to a beautiful 100-year old brick building, becoming a new gathering place for locals and travelers alike. Through a central courtyard, the brick building converses and creates a new harmony with a wooden grid system reminiscent of traditional Kyoto. Discovered stones from the grounds of a former Heian era residence upon which the hotel is built were salvaged and resurrected as a waterfall in a beautiful rooftop garden facing the hotel’s main restaurant.

* Owner: NTT Urban Development Corporation
* Operator: Ace Hotel Group
* Architecture: Kengo Kuma and Associates
* Designers: Commune Design, Irie Miyake Architects
* Development Cost: Undisclosed

The Ritz-Carlton Nikko, Japan (pictured)

The hotel is set within the beautiful Nikko National Park, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taking inspiration from its picturesque surroundings, its design narrative unites the grace of Japanese aesthetics with the Nikko’s beauty. The property has 94 spacious rooms, all featuring engawas (veranda lounge areas) inspired by traditional Japanese residential design. This space functions flexibly as an extension of the balcony or as part of the indoors, expanding the room and guests’ experience of the magnificent surroundings. The hotel opened in July 2020 and features an authentic therapeutic experience in the Japanese onsen tradition, with spacious indoor and open-air hot spring baths filled with thermal waters drawn from the springs of the nearby Yumoto Onsen.

* Owner: Tobu Railway Co., Ltd.
* Operator: Marriott International
* Architecture: Nikken Sekkei Ltd
* Designers: Layan Architects + Designers
* Development Cost: Undisclosed

Rosewood Guangzhou, China

Opened in September 2019, Rosewood Guangzhou’s 251 rooms and 355 serviced apartments occupy floors 69 through 108 of the 530-meter CTF Finance Centre. Interiors showcase an extensive collection of contemporary Chinese art, whilst seven terraces with landscaped lawns and gardens throughout the hotel enable guests to feel connected with the environment, even in its urban setting. Inspired by ancient Chinese craftsmanship, the building is clad in terracotta, which is cooling, self-cleaning, corrosion-resistant and sustainably produced and shipped. The hotel is first to be 5G enabled; features the world’s fastest elevators, with air-pressure technology to minimize ear discomfort; and uses the electric NIO SUV as its house car.

* Owner: Chow Tai Fook
* Developer: New World China Land
* Operator: Rosewood Hotel Group
* Architecture: Kohn Pederson Fox
* Designers: Yabu Pushelberg (hotel), Perception Design HK (serviced apartments), Super Potato (select F&B), P Landscape Co., Ltd. (landscape)
* Development Cost: Undisclosed

Finalists for the Single Asset Transaction of the Year Award 2020

Andaz Singapore, Singapore

In November 2019, the iconic Andaz Singapore was acquired by Hoi Hup Realty Pte Ltd from M+S Pte Ltd for SGD 475 Million. The transaction represents the largest single hotel transaction ever in Singapore. Originating from the historic land-swap deal between the Singaporean and Malaysian government, the hotel formed part of the landmark mixed-use development, DUO. Underpinned by its historic legacy and rarity of a full-service luxury hotel offering in Singapore, the acquisition of the Andaz fulfilled the buyer’s strategy for acquiring a core, trophy real estate investment for their expanding hotel portfolio.

Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa, Japan

The seller, Hilton, sold its very last owned hotel asset, a 163-key Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa, on 2 September 2019, which coincided with the company’s 100th anniversary year to Mori Trust Hotel REIT alongside its sponsor company Mori Trust, a developer and a long-term holder/operator. The transaction is a sign of further development in the already blossoming relationship between Mori Trust group and Hilton, nurtured through their work on the Conrad Tokyo and the Okinawa Sesoko Project. The HGV development permit complexity and the unique transaction structure were unique challenges during the transaction.

Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore, Singapore

Located in Singapore’s Central Business District, Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore forms part of the OUE Downtown mixed-use development and comprises 268 hotel rooms and serviced apartments. Following a highly bespoke and confidential marketing campaign, the Oakwood Premier was transacted in November 2019 by OUE Limited to a joint venture between AMTD Group and Dorsett Hospitality for SGD 289 Million, which represents approximately SGD 1.1 million per key.

Finalists for the Merger & Acquisition of the Year Award 2020

Asset World Corporation Acquisition from TCC

On 10 October 2019, Asset World Corporation (AWC) was acquired for approximately 192 Billion Baht (US$5.8 Billion) from TCC and included 16 hotels, 7 retail, and 4 office towers. The hotel portfolio comprises approx. 60% of the total assets of AWC.

KSL Capital Partners Investment in Soneva

On 15 November 2019, an affiliate of KSL Capital Partners acquired a significant minority stake in Soneva, one of the world’s leading luxury resort developers and operators. Soneva operates a collection of luxury resorts in the Maldives (Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani) and Thailand (Soneva Kiri). The investment from KSL Capital Partners includes capital to buyout the minority stake of Sailing Capital and funds to support Soneva’s short-term and long-term development goals. The transaction establishes a partnership between Sonu Shivdasani (Founder and CEO), a pioneer of the ultra-luxury island resort characterized by intelligent luxury and KSL Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused solely on the travel and leisure industry with a track record of raising over US$13 Billion of capital and executing over 40 investments globally over nearly 30 years.

New Zealand Hotel Holdings Asset LP Acquisition of Various Hotel Owning Entities in New Zealand

This NZ$250 Million acquisition by New Zealand Hotel Holdings Asset LP is the single largest off market hotel transaction in New Zealand’s recent history. The transaction closed in April 2020 and involved a divestment in the entity owning the 255 room Four Points by Sheraton Auckland, the 168-room Adina Apartment Hotel Auckland and the 263-room BreakFree on Cashel, Christchurch. The acquisition also includes the opportunity to secure the QT hotel in Auckland (currently under construction) which will take the wider transaction value to more than NZ$300 Million.

The Sustainable Hotel Awards are also presented at HICAP, recognizing hotels in the Asia Pacific region demonstrating exemplary sustainable best practices.

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