MerchantBridge, a direct investment and private equity company, has signed and agreed terms to invest in Monaco Luxury Hotels & Resorts in a USD20m transaction.

This is the second investment by MerchantBridge this year, following its acquisition of the 15-year lease of the Kerbala Cement Plant in conjunction with Lafarge. 

MerchantBridge has completed nine private equity transactions in North America, Europe and the Middle East over the past five years.

Monaco Luxury Hotels was founded in 2006 by the Torriani family as a hotel management company with a core emphasis on the niche market of luxury hotels in the four star boutique and five star deluxe categories. As part of its portfolio Monaco Luxury Hotels is a major investor in the Ritz Carlton Montreal. 

Monaco Luxury Hotels is currently working on a CAD150m renovation of the Ritz Carlton Montreal hotel.

Basil Al-Rahim, MerchantBridge group chief executive officer, says: “Investments in the hospitality sector today are ideal for investors, as the real estate market still represents significant opportunities. We continue to look for more promising deals. MerchantBridge is also exploring other opportunities in hospitality in Europe and are in talks with some of the major hotel groups globally.”