ALIS Deals of the Year awarded

LOS ANGELES – The Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) announced its winners for the ALIS Awards. Among these finalists are hotels, companies, and executives who are responsible for the most influential hotel industry deals in 2025. Nominees for the awards are evaluated based on outstanding business performance in various industry sectors.

Leeny Oberg, chief financial officer and EVP, Development, Marriott International, was named Jack A. Shaffer Financial Advisor of the Year. Oberg has been a driving force in shaping Marriott’s strategic direction, serving as a cornerstone for both the organization and the broader hospitality industry. Under her leadership, the team has delivered exceptional value through disciplined capital deployment, spearheading transformative transactions and acquisitions – including the landmark Starwood Hotels & Resorts deal. She also guided the successful disposition of iconic assets such as The St. Regis New York and The St. Regis San Francisco, advancing the company’s asset-light strategy. Known for her resilience and clarity in challenging times, Oberg exemplifies decisive leadership. She commands with confidence, maintains unwavering focus, and consistently turns vision into action. Finalists in this category also included Zach Eckler, managing director, Goldman Sachs, and Alexander Johnson, head of Lodging & Leisure Investment Banking, Barclays.

Ira Mitzner, RIDA Development (center) accepts Development of the Year from Jonathon Zink (l.) and JP Ford.

Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center – Chula Vista, California, was named Development of the Year (full service). After over a decade of developer involvement, Gaylord Pacific, opened in May 2025 with a $1.3 billion completed budget. Developed by affiliates of RIDA and an Ares Management Real Estate fund, the property boasts 1,600 keys, 425,000 square feet of meeting space, and 12 F&B outlets. The development culminates a three-decade effort and public-private partnership between the City of Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego to redevelop the bayfront. Financing was provided by an eight-bank consortium led by Wells Fargo and Bank of America. Marriott International, owner of the Gaylord brand, manages the property. Finalists in this category also included Appellation Healdsburg – Healdsburg, California, and Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve – Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica.

Will Woodworth, Peachtree (center) accepts Development of the Year from Jonathon Zink (l.) and JP Ford.

Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore – Kahului, Hawaii, was named Development of the Year (select/limited-service). The 136-room upper midscale beachfront hotel located in Kahului, Hawaii, opened on April 25, 2025, marking the first newly built branded select-service hotel on Maui's North Shore. Developed by Peachtree Group, Blackridge Group, and Argosy Real Estate Partners for approximately $75 million, the project navigated an extensive seven-year entitlement process and significant logistical complexity. Springboard Hospitality manages the property and delivers a rare, accessible Hilton-branded lodging option in one of the most supply-constrained hotel markets in the United States. Finalists in this category also included AC Hotel by Marriott Symphony Park and Element by Westin Symphony Park – Las Vegas, and The Ann Savannah, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy – Savannah, Georgia.

Michelle Russo, HotelAVE, and Ian Gaum, Newbond (center) accept Single Asset Transaction of the Year.

Hilton Union Square and Parc 55 – San Francisco, California, was named Single Asset Transaction of the Year (over $25 million). Newbond Holdings, in partnership with Conversant Capital, acquired the Hilton Union Square and Parc 55 from Michelle Russo of HotelAVE for $408 million and a loan restructuring with KeyBank in November 2025. Including 2,945 keys with 165,000 square feet of meeting space, the assets span two city blocks and represent roughly 10% of San Francisco’s lodging supply. Highly structured, the deal aligned incentives by maintaining in-place financing, a long-term Hilton management agreement and the buyer committing the necessary capital to renovate the hotels. This landmark transaction navigated these interests and unpredictable capital markets, culminating in the closing of the largest hotel trade in the history of San Francisco and the West Coast. Finalists in this category also included Fairmont Dallas – Dallas, and PGA National Resort – Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Hyatt Regency Atlanta Perimeter at Villa Christina – Atlanta, Georgia, named Single Transaction of the Year ($25 million and under). The 182-room hotel built in 2014 was sold out of receivership to Insignia Hospitality on September 19, 2025, for $19.775 million with Access Point Financial serving as the lender. The hotel is located near Perimeter Center, one of Atlanta’s largest business districts and home to several Fortune 500 companies. The seven-story hotel, a popular venue for large gatherings and weddings, includes more than 17,000 square feet of meeting space, an outdoor pool and a fitness center. Guests can enjoy fine dining at Villa Christina, featuring traditional Italian cuisine, and craft cocktails at The Barrel Room. Finalists in this category also included Courtyard by Marriott Amarillo Downtown – Amarillo, Texas, and Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Houston Sugar Land – Houston.

Hyatt Hotels Corp. acquired Playa Hotels & Resorts N.V. was named Merger & Acquisition of the Year. In June 2025, Hyatt acquired Playa Hotels & Resorts N.V. for approximately $2.6 billion. Hyatt subsequently entered into an agreement to sell all of Playa’s owned real estate to Tortuga Resorts (a JV of KSL Capital Partners and Rodina) for approximately $2 billion, resulting in a blended net purchase price of approximately $555 million for Playa’s asset-light management business. Finalists in this category also included Casago Holdings and Partners acquired Vacasa, Inc., and Tortuga Resorts acquired Playa Hotels & Resorts Real Estate owned by Hyatt Hotels Corp.