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Experience > Sectors and focus areas > Hotels and hospitality
Hotels and hospitality lawyers
From luxury resorts and city hotels to branded residences and mixed-use developments, our hospitality team combines market insight with transactional experience to help clients structure, deliver and maximise value from their investments worldwide.
The global hotel and hospitality market continues to see rapid growth and diversification, driven by sustained investment from corporates, private capital and high net worth individuals.
Withers' global hotels and hospitality team advises clients across the hotels, real estate, tourism and branded residences sectors, supported by strategic offices in Asia, Europe, the United States and the Caribbean. Our lawyers bring deep sector knowledge and international reach to transactions spanning multiple jurisdictions and asset classes.Hospitality is an increasingly specialised and sophisticated sector. Commercial, pragmatic advice from experienced hospitality lawyers is critical to ensuring that value is protected and enhanced at every stage of a transaction. With our integrated global platform, we provide clear, practical advice when and where it is needed.
We act for many of the industry's most respected hotel owners and developers, investment funds, private members' clubs and leading global, regional and boutique operators. We also advise extensively on branded residences, working with both established hotel brands and prominent non-hotel luxury, lifestyle and consumer brands on the structuring, development and operation of branded residential platforms.
Our team is known for its strong personal networks and deep sector insight and is regularly sought out for its understanding of market practice and emerging trends. We advise on:
- Site acquisitions
- Hotel portfolio and platform transactions
- Branded residences and mixed-use developments
- Forward funding and investment structures
- Hotel leasing arrangements
- Hotel management and franchise agreements
- Joint ventures and fund formation
Clients include
Track record
A real estate developer
On the development, management and branding of a marina, beach club, villas and branded residences development in the Caribbean.
A real estate developer
On the acquisition and redevelopment of a portfolio of prime residential assets in Florence into a high-end branded residences scheme including due diligence, transaction documentation, and hotel management arrangements.
AB Capital
On its acquisition of two Osaka hotels.
An Asian developer
On its joint venture documentation with a European operator to roll out its brand in Asia.
Andaz Hong Kong
Advised the owner on the negotiation of the hotel management agreement with Hyatt for a new Andaz hotel development in Hong Kong.
Anglo Fortune
On acquisition of hotels in major cities in Japan through TK/ GK structure.
AB Capital
On its acquisition of two Osaka hotels.
An Asian developer
On its joint venture documentation with a European operator to roll out its brand in Asia.
Andaz Hong Kong
Advised the owner on the negotiation of the hotel management agreement with Hyatt for a new Andaz hotel development in Hong Kong.
Anglo Fortune
On acquisition of hotels in major cities in Japan through TK/ GK structure.
Asia Pacific and RREEF
On their joint venture’s negotiations with Hilton for the exclusive rollout of Hilton Garden Inn in designated regions of PRC.
CapitaLand and Ascott
On the development, acquisition and divestment of over US$2 billion in real estate assets in Japan.
A real estate developer
On the acquisition and redevelopment of a portfolio of prime residential assets in Florence into a high-end branded residences scheme including due diligence, transaction documentation, and hotel management arrangements.
Eynsham – Estelle Manor
Acting for an estate on the grant of a ground rent development long lease.
Far East Hospitality REIT
On its first-ever acquisition of both a hotel property and a hotel operating company in Japan.
On acquiring a portfolio of four hotels located in Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka and Tokyo from special purpose vehicles managed by a subsidiary of Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc.
Hilton Istanbul Airport
Advised on the hotel management agreement for a new Hilton hotel at Istanbul Airport, an internationally branded hospitality development.
London-based private equity firm
On their purchase of a wine estate in Italy which will be added to their international property portfolio.
Luxury hotel operator
On branded residences projects in Spain, China and Japan.
Luxury Brand
Advising on precedent framework documents relating to the development of branded residences and projects in the US and Middle East.
Various hotel developers
On structuring branded residences projects in CBD and resort destinations, including with mandatory and optional rental pool programs, in Japan, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Vietnam, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia.
Luxury Brand
Advising on precedent framework documents relating to the development of branded residences and projects in the US and Middle East.
Wyndham Destinations/RCI
On its acquisition of the Dial-An-Exchange US, European and Asia Pacific timeshare exchange business.
Soho House (Toronto)
Occupying a historic building, which was formerly one of Toronto's first hotels, this House features two bars, a restaurant, rooftop and library.
Soho House (Chicago)
Located in a former belt factory in the Fulton Market neighbourhood, the Chicago House boasts a large gym, screening room and rooftop pool.
Soho House (Hollywood)
Located on the infamous Sunset Boulevard, the House not only offers a 50-seat cinema with daily screenings but also a rooftop restaurant, open year-round with panoramic views of the city.
Soho House (LA)
Little Beach House is small local club targeted at the creative community in Malibu. Located right on the water's edge featuring a terrace and bar and restaurant. Soho Warehouse occupies a 100-year old, 80,000sq ft. warehouse featuring two club floors, which includes a rooftop pool.
A real estate developer
On the development, management and branding of a marina, beach club, villas and branded residences development in the Caribbean.
US Institution
On a loan to a Hyatt project in the Caribbean.
Our team
Jeremy M Wakeham
Partner and Divisional CEO of the business team | London
James Martell
Partner | London
Mattia Biasi
Partner | Padua
David Mallinson
Consultant | London
Lesley Timms
Partner | London
Toshihiko Tsuchiya
Partner | Tokyo
Tom Hughes
Partner | London
Chau Hwei Lee
Partner | Singapore
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