Whitbread receives offers for Courtyard by Marriott chain

Whitbread says it has received a number of offers from hotel operators for the 11 Courtyard by Marriott hotels it put on the market last month.

US hotel management company Harrell Hospitality Group is believed to be one of the key bidders for the hotels.

Its London division, Harrell Hotels Europe, is currently working with Marriott to revamp the Courtyard brand and develop it across the UK and, ultimately, Europe.

Analysts expect Whitbread to raise between £50m and £60m from the sale, which the company hopes to complete before the end of the year.

Whitbread wants to exit the three-star hotel market to concentrate on its budget Travel Inn and four-star Marriott properties.

by Angela Frewin

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