Who Bought Out La Quinta? A Detailed Guide for Travelers
As an expert in home renovations and design, I‘m always interested in the ownership, history, and evolution of hotel chains like La Quinta. If you‘re wondering, "Who owns La Quinta hotels now?" this comprehensive guide has all the details for you! I‘ll provide insights into La Quinta‘s acquisition, growth, breakfast menus, and tips to make your hotel stay feel more like home.
A Quick History of La Quinta
Let‘s start with a quick look at La Quinta‘s background. The first La Quinta hotel opened in 1968 in San Antonio, Texas. The company grew rapidly in the 1970s and 1980s, bringing its affordable roadside accommodations to travelers across the country.
By 2017, La Quinta had nearly 900 managed and franchised locations across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Honduras and Colombia. The company generated $2.4 billion in system-wide revenue in 2017.
La Quinta has changed ownership several times throughout its growth. Here‘s a table summarizing La Quinta‘s major acquisitions over the years:
| Year | Acquired By | Deal Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | The Blackstone Group | $3.4 billion |
| 2018 | Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | $1.95 billion |
But who owns this major hotel chain now after its last acquisition? Keep reading to find out!
La Quinta‘s Current Owner: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
In May 2018, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts acquired La Quinta Holdings Inc. and its nearly 900 managed and franchised hotels across the US and Canada. This added La Quinta‘s predominantly midscale hotel locations to Wyndham‘s larger portfolio of economy and upscale brands.
The acquisition price was $1.95 billion in an all-cash transaction – making it one of the largest hotel industry acquisitions in years! Specifically, Wyndham paid approximately $1.4 billion for La Quinta‘s owned hotel assets and another $550 million for the franchise business.
This strategic purchase enabled Wyndham, already one of the world‘s largest hotel companies, to expand its offerings to serve more mainstream travelers. Wyndham continues to operate La Quinta hotels under its umbrella of renowned hospitality brands.
Previous La Quinta Ownership: Blackstone Group
Prior to its 2018 sale to Wyndham, La Quinta was majority owned by private equity powerhouse Blackstone Group. The firm first acquired La Quinta in 2005 for $3.4 billion, taking the company private.
Blackstone held onto La Quinta for over a decade until its 2018 sale to Wyndham. In 2017, La Quinta had transitioned back to a public company, offering shares on the NY Stock Exchange while still being majority controlled by Blackstone.
When Blackstone sold La Quinta to Wyndham in 2018 for nearly $2 billion, it marked the firm‘s largest sale since the financial crisis. It also demonstrated the growth La Quinta achieved under Blackstone‘s ownership.
Notable Hotel Acquisition Prices and Data
To put La Quinta‘s acquisition price tag in context, here‘s a look at other recent major hotel chain acquisitions and their price data:
- Hilton Worldwide acquired Two Roads Hospitality for $2.56 billion in 2018
- Marriott acquired Starwood Hotels and Resorts for $13.6 billion in 2016
- Hyatt Hotels Corp acquired Two Roads Hospitality for $480 million in 2018
Between 2005 – 2015, researchers estimate over 25% of hotels globally were involved in mergers and acquisitions. As you can see from the numbers above, these deals involve multi-billion dollar price tags for major hospitality brands!
The Strategic La Quinta and Denny‘s Connection
Frequent travelers may have noticed a pattern of La Quinta Inn locations positioned near Denny‘s restaurants. This is no coincidence – it‘s the result of a strategic partnership between the two chains.
By locating close to one another, La Quinta and Denny‘s provide their guests with convenient access to both accommodations and dining. Some of the perks from this partnership include:
- Discounted Denny‘s meals for La Quinta guests
- Free breakfast coupons for staying at La Quinta
- High visibility and foot traffic for both businesses
This relationship offers savings and convenience for travelers. It also mutually benefits the brands through increased local presence and cross-promotion.
Breakfast Offerings Vary Across La Quinta Hotels
One question travelers often have is – does La Quinta offer free breakfast? Unfortunately there‘s no one breakfast policy across all hotels. Make sure to check your location‘s offerings when booking. Here are some common options:
Complimentary Bright Side Breakfast
- Offered free of charge at La Quinta Inn & Suites hotels
- Includes hot and cold items like eggs, breakfast meats, oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, breads, fruit
- Served daily from 6 AM to 10 AM
Continental or Express Breakfast
- More limited breakfast including breads, cereals, yogurt, fruit
- Sometimes free but often carries a fee around $10 per person
Grab & Go Breakfast Items
- Convenient breakfast sandwiches, pastries or parfaits
- Typically costs around $5 per item
Coffee and Tea
- Free for elite loyalty program members
- Complimentary coffee stations in lobby
- In-room coffee machines with K-cup purchases
Denny‘s Partnership Perks
- Discounted or free breakfast coupons when staying at La Quinta
| Breakfast Type | Details | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bright Side | Hot and cold buffet | Free |
| Continental/Express | Light options like bread, cereal | Free or $10 |
| Grab & Go | Sandwiches, parfaits | $5 |
| Coffee/Tea | Varies by location | Free for Elite members |
| Denny‘s | Through partnership | Discounts or free |
As you can see, breakfast options span from hearty hot buffets to lighter continental fare. Check availability and costs when booking, and take advantage of perks through the Denny‘s partnership when possible!
Tips to Make Your Hotel Feel More Like Home
As someone who‘s managed countless home renovations and upgrades, I like to make hotel rooms feel more comfortable with just a few tweaks. Here are some of my tips to make your La Quinta or any hotel feel homier during your travels:
Lighting: Bring a couple extra night lights or lamps to provide softer, warmer light. The bright overheads can feel harsh and disrupt sleep.
Texture: Pack a throw blanket, extra pillows, or bath mat to add cozy textures and surfaces.
Scents: Essential oil diffusers, air fresheners, candles or sprays make unfamiliar spaces more inviting.
Personal Touches: Photos, books, and other décor you brought from home help personalize the space.
With just a few small additions, you can transform an impersonal hotel room into your own cozy retreat! Making the space feel more like home can help you relax and sleep better while traveling.
La Quinta Continues Growing Under Wyndham
In summary, La Quinta is now part of the extensive Wyndham Hotels and Resorts family, after being acquired from private equity firm Blackstone Group in 2018. The strategic purchase has expanded Wyndham‘s offerings in the midscale accommodations space.
La Quinta operates over 900 hotels across the US, Canada and Mexico. The chain maintains key partnerships like its relationship with Denny‘s restaurants. Its varied breakfast policies provide options based on your location and needs.
With just a few tips, you can also customize your La Quinta hotel into a home-away-from-home! Hopefully this detailed guide gave you insight into La Quinta‘s ownership, history, and offerings as you plan your upcoming travels.