Sale of Holiday Inn Express Folkestone delivers strong return for investors  

We have just completed the sale of the Holiday Inn Express Folkestone, marking another successful round of acquisition, investment and return within our hotel portfolio.  

Our hotel portfolio spans a range of quality assets, from city break stays to rural retreats. The purpose-built 100-bedroom Holiday Inn Express has proved to be a popular stopover for holidaymakers travelling to and from the nearby Channel Tunnel. 

Next generation facilities  

The Holiday Inn Express Folkestone is one of our IHG franchises. Having acquired the hotel in 2015, we invested in renovations and refurbishments to enhance the quality of the property in line with IHG’s brand guidelines.  

Further improvements included renovating the 72-cover bar and restaurant to upgrading fire safety and cavity wall insulation.  

Record performance  

The investments made, coupled with a strong management team, contributed to delivering the highest profits during our ownership in 2023. Up to the point of sale, this trajectory continued with the hotel on track for another record year. This standout performance put us in a strong position to sell. Building on the increased revenues, the favourable sale price represents a strong return for our investors, exceeding target expectations. 

Hard work pays off 

David Stein, Investment Manager at Stellar Asset Management, has been closely involved in the refurbishment, management and sale of the Folkestone Holiday Inn Express. Commenting on the recent sale, he said: “Success at Holiday Inn Express Folkestone is a prime example of how acquiring strategically located assets can provide a great platform to drive asset value. The track record of improvements to trading performance year-on-year since acquisition are a testament to the hard work of the hotel’s management and staff throughout the course of our ownership. We are delighted to complete the sale and achieve an exceptional outcome for our investors.”