Certares and Belcourt Capital Partners acquire Hilton Boston Back Bay for $171m

In a significant move within the hospitality sector, Certares, a prominent investment firm with a focus on the travel and hospitality industries, has announced its latest acquisition, marking its twelfth hotel purchase. The firm has acquired the 390-room Hilton Boston Back Bay, including a 209-space parking garage, for $171 million. This strategic acquisition was made in partnership with Belcourt Capital Partners, emphasizing both firms’ commitment to modernizing the hotel through a comprehensive capital expenditure program aimed at enhancing the guest experience.

Nestled in the heart of Boston’s historic Back Bay neighborhood, the Hilton Boston Back Bay enjoys a prime location surrounded by the city’s major attractions such as Fenway Park, Symphony Hall, and the upscale dining and shopping venues in the Prudential Center and on Newbury Street. The hotel’s proximity to major transportation hubs including Back Bay Station, South Station, and Logan International Airport adds to its appeal, catering to a diverse set of corporate and leisure travelers.

The partnership between Certares and Belcourt Capital Partners brings a wealth of industry knowledge and a strategic approach to asset management. Plans to modernize the hotel facilities underscore the partnership’s commitment to leveraging targeted capital improvements to enhance market presence and guest satisfaction in one of the country’s top lodging markets.

Nolan Hecht, Senior Managing Director and Head of Real Estate at Certares, highlighted Boston’s status as a vibrant lodging market, driven by a diverse array of demand factors including corporate tenancy, academic institutions, medical centers, and leisure activities. “Boston is one of the only true ‘seven-day-a-week’ lodging markets in the U.S.,” Hecht noted, emphasizing the city’s broad appeal to various traveler segments.

Mike Kusy, Director at Certares, and Tom Naughton, Founder and Partner at Belcourt, both expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition’s alignment with their strategic objectives. The partnership aims to capitalize on the hotel’s irreplaceable location and to further enhance its strong market presence through hands-on asset management and targeted improvements.

Lauren Merhaut, Partner at Belcourt, voiced excitement about executing their business plan in this highly sought-after hotel market, reflecting confidence in the acquisition’s potential to generate significant value for investors and guests alike.