Award-winning brand collection of lifestyle hotels enters new era under the ownership of Goldman Sachs Asset Management
FTC Hotels, the lifestyle hotel franchise collection company, which owns the two lifestyle brands Casa Cook and Cook’s Club, has been acquired by the Real Estate business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management (“Goldman Sachs”) for an undisclosed consideration.
The Casa Cook and Cook’s Club brands feature 16 franchised properties across prime sun and beach locations in the Mediterranean and Red Sea. The investment from Goldman Sachs will accelerate expansion across European destinations, while remaining loyal to the brands’ founding ethos of creating individual and unique places united by signature luxe-minimalist design and laid-back spirit.
Casa Cook is an eclectic collection of lifestyle boutique resorts catering for a growing generation of independent travellers. Each hotel has its own distinct personality where architecture, interior design, and individual offerings vary by location and hotel, yet common to all are low-key vibes and contemporary aesthetics. Launched in 2016 with Casa Cook Rhodes, the Casa Cook collection features five properties, three in Greece (Mykonos, Samos, and Rhodes) and two in Egypt (El Gouna and North Coast).
Cook’s Club is a new, innovative hotel concept aimed at millennials and cosmopolites who prioritise good times and quality experiences with friends. The brand brings a touch of modern urban lifestyle, offering a more stripped-back experience across its 11 hotels in Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Spain, and Bulgaria. The brand prides itself on offering outstanding cuisine, resident DJ live sets, and a sleek contemporary design.
Speaking on the acquisition, Alessandro Dassi, the brands’ Managing Director, said: “This is an exciting time for both brands and is a move which will enable them to continue to improve the holiday experience of our guests. The investment by Goldman Sachs is a testament to the strength of our brands and unique proposition in the growing lifestyle resort market segment. Together we will further unlock business value and take the brands to the next level."
Nabil Aquedim, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, added: “This investment aligns with our strategy to build a portfolio of differentiated hotels and resorts across the Mediterranean. We look forward to working with Alessandro and his team to continue to grow the brands they created across Europe".
For more information on Casa Cook and its properties, please visit https://www.casacook.com, and for more information on Cook’s Club, please visit https://www.cooksclub.com.
About Goldman Sachs Asset Management Real Estate
Bringing together traditional and alternative investments, Goldman Sachs Asset Management provides clients around the world with a dedicated partnership and focus on long-term performance. As the primary investing area within Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), we deliver investment and advisory services for the world’s leading institutions, financial advisors, and individuals, drawing from our deeply connected global network and tailored expert insights, across every region and market—overseeing more than $2.5 trillion in assets under supervision worldwide as of March 31, 2022. Driven by a passion for our clients’ performance, we seek to build long-term relationships based on conviction, sustainable outcomes, and shared success over time.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management invests in the full spectrum of alternatives, including private equity, growth equity, private credit, real estate, and infrastructure.
Established in 1991, the Real Estate business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management is one of pequity and credit. Our global team invests across all sectors with deep expertise across the capital structure derived from three decades of investing experience.
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