Kaya buys the ME Barcelona for €100M, Meliá keeps operating
The ME Barcelona hotel changes hands, but not operator. Turkish group Kaya has paid over €100 million for the 164-room property, as reported by Hosteltur, and Meliá will keep managing it. That classic split between ownership and management works well for Spanish hospitality.
The ME Barcelona opened in November 2021, after a six-year renovation, with 12,649 square meters and 3,000 of outdoor space. The deal lands in a strong half-year: hotel investment in Spain topped €2.53 billion, and Hosteltur highlights Barcelona as the leading market for profitability, with more than €160 million moved in hotel assets alone.
My take: Turkish money is eyeing Barcelona as a safe bet, and Meliá is doing the hard part, keeping the operation without locking up cash. The owner holds the asset, the operator brings brand and distribution. Short term, few better pieces of news for a city hotel than keeping the team.
Quick questions
How much did Kaya pay for the ME Barcelona?
Who operates the ME Barcelona after the sale?
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Why doesn't Meliá sell the management too?
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