A multi-disciplinary team from international law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has advised on the acquisition of two prominent golf hotel for Britain's leading UK holiday operator.
The firm has advised Bourne Leisure, owned by Blackstone-managed funds, on the purchase of Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club and The Forest of Arden Country Club as part of the group's expansion of its Warner Leisure Hotels portfolio.
The 4-star Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club, situated 30 minutes from Edinburgh city centre, will be Warner Leisure Hotels' first operation in Scotland and includes a Grade A manor house alongside two golf courses, leisure facilities, restaurants, bars and 215 bedrooms, set over 1,000 acres.
The Forest of Arden Country Club, will add to the group's offerings in the Midlands, with the 4-star golf hotel situated 20 minutes from Birmingham, set over 10,000 acres of woodlands, offering two golf courses, including a championship golf course, multiple restaurants and bars, 214 bedrooms, a leisure club and conference facilities.
A large WBD team involving specialists from several practice areas worked on the deal, led by the head of the firm's Corporate Finance practice, Ben Butler, and Corporate Finance Managing Associate, David Ridley.
Also involved were Becky Brook (Solicitor, Corporate Finance), Kate Eyres (Solicitor, Corporate Finance), Sheilah Mackie (Legal Director, Commercial), Claire Kistner (Partner, Banking), Lewis Sanderson (Solicitor, Banking), Nikki Powell (Partner, Real Estate), Stacey Hall (Partner, Corporate Finance), Liz Evans (Legal Director, Real Estate), Gillian Buchanan (Associate, Real Estate) and Charlotte Bloomfield (Partner, Employment).
Ben Butler, commented:
"This is the third transaction on which we have supported the Bourne Leisure team and it's always a privilege to work with them. Bourne is an important client for Womble Bond Dickinson and we are delighted to have advised them on this transaction to add two prestigious hotels to their impressive portfolio. They have ambitious plans to expand the Warner Leisure portfolio, and this deal represents a huge step on that exciting journey."
Bourne Leisure owns two iconic UK leisure brands – Haven Holidays and Warner Leisure Hotels.