Julian Lewis
Partner
Our cross-firm hotels team provides the full range of services across the sector, from luxury high-end resorts, hotel chains, owners, managers, franchisors and franchisees to businesses supporting the hotel industry
We have a long track record in the hospitality industry: we advised on the first purpose-built luxury hotel in the UK, The Savoy in 1886, and from then we have not looked back.
We are regularly involved in high profile transactions in the UK acting for leading hotel investors, developers and operators, cinema chains, e-sports operators and expanding restaurant chains and private members clubs.
Our strength in transactional work means that we can advise clients on the structuring, financing and successful execution of acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and refinancings. More broadly, we support clients across all areas of commercial activity including planning, development, management, franchising, and operational, promotional and contentious matters.
Our sector specialists help investors, developers and end-users with the acquisition, development, construction and funding of hospitality related developments, both on single assets and across large portfolios both domestically and internationally. In all these activities, our tax team provides advice and expertise to ensure that transactions are structured and managed tax efficiently, particularly in relation to property tax.
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Excellent insight and knowledge of international hotel chains franchise agreements and a very cost effective and friendly hospitality practice.
Expert knowledge and a very warm and welcoming approach to client relationships.
They have always been able to handle whatever has been asked of them and have good response times. They offer commercial advice, whether it's what we want to hear or not.
The team always provided clear advice, especially in multifaceted issues and cross-border jurisdictions.
Properly understanding the return on your investment is essential for hotel developers, or purchasers of completed hotels, since hotels require constant maintenance and renovations - an important tactic in the industry - involve reinvesting significant amounts of profits back into the business.
Hotels can be funded from any number of sources: private banks, specialist lenders, Angel investors, a commercial mortgage, crowdfunding, conventional bank loans, and even government loans. Unconventional funding sources and small-scale projects are gaining traction.
Take time to understand the market in the area you’re looking at. Consider whether you want to manage the business yourself, or if it will be profitable to hire a manager or management company for a small hotel. Consider the hotel’s financial standing, location, size, and potential profitability carefully before purchase. Begin your business plan to raise the finance, and be cautious about purchasing a hotel out of administration.
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