By Linda Humphrey
DALLAS -- Wyndham Hotels announced a $130 million deal to
acquire ClubHouse Hotels, a Kansas City, Mo.-based, privately held
chain of 17 midpriced properties.
The 100-property Wyndham chain will convert at least seven
ClubHouse hotels to Wyndham Garden Hotels, its suburban upscale
brand, while retaining ClubHouse as a franchised brand. The
ClubHouse deal will add 2,456 rooms, or about 10%, to Wyndham's
portfolio. Wyndham will pour $10 million into the seven
conversions, upgrading ClubHouses in Kansas City; Omaha, Neb.;
Richardson, Texas; St. Louis; Wichita, Kan.; Knoxville, Tenn., and
Norcross, Ga.
The 10 properties retaining their ClubHouse signs are located in
Albuquerque, N.M.; Nashville, Tenn. (two properties); Overland
Park, Kan.; Pittsburgh; Savannah, Ga.; Topeka, Kan.; Valdosta, Ga.;
Westmont, Ill., and Lansing, Mich.
The deal, slated to close this month, adds a fourth brand to the
snowballing Wyndham empire: The chain manages an extended-stay
brand, Homegate Studios & Suites, and plans to merge with
Dallas-based Patriot American Hospitality, which owns Carefree
Resorts, by November. Moreover, Wyndham said it is in discussions
with Grand Bay Hotels and Grand Heritage Hotels.