What You Need to Know About the Possible Sale of Luxury Hotelier Belmond
Photo Credit: The Belmong Hotel Cipriani in Venice is just one of many iconic properties that are part of Belmond, which has announced it may seek a sale of some or all of its company. Belmond
Skift Take
Shareholders are no doubt elated, but luxury travelers are concerned. They don't want Belmond to become another Ritz-Carlton, and get folded into another mega-hospitality giant.
"Nothing is off the table" when it comes to the "strategic alternatives" that the Belmond board of directors is currently reviewing for the luxury hospitality company.
That was the primary message delivered by Belmond's chairman of the board of directors, Roland Hernandez, during the company's second quarter earnings conference call on Thursday, a day after news broke of Belmond's intent to explore a possible sale of some — or all — of the company.
The assets include 46 hotel, rail, and river cruise experiences spread out around the world, among them the Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice, the Belmond Hotel Splendido in Portofino, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxford and the 21 Club restaurant in New York.
While Hernandez and Belmond CEO Roeland Vos did their best to inform analysts and shareholders about what might happen as the board proceeds with its review, questions no doubt arose, such as why is the company pursuing a sale now? Who might eventually buy Belmond?
