New hub by Premier Inn for South London
The transformation of underused office buildings into midscale hotels remains a key development model in the UK hotel sector. A recent example is Whitbread PLC's acquisition of Dorset House, marking the planned debut of hub by Premier Inn south of the River Thames.
Adaptive reuse meets location-driven expansion
Whitbread has secured the freehold of Dorset House, a 90,000 sq ft vacant office block in London's Southbank district, with plans to retrofit the nine-storey structure into a circa 400-bedroom hotel under the hub by Premier Inn brand. Subject to planning approval, the project will bring the brand to the south side of the Thames for the first time, expanding Whitbread's network of compact city-centre hotels.
Strategic expansion through office-to-hotel conversions
The planned Dorset House conversion reflects Whitbread's wider strategy of repurposing vacant commercial assets in core urban areas. In 2025 alone, the company has also secured sites in Holborn and Vauxhall, both of which involve similar office-to-hotel redevelopment.
Such conversions allow operators to meet high demand for affordable accommodation in dense city locations while avoiding the longer lead times and higher costs of new-build projects. The strategy aligns with broader urban regeneration policies and planning priorities in cities like London.
Sustainability and growth alignment
The project also fits into Whitbread's broader Force for Good sustainability framework. From 2025, all Whitbread-owned hotels will be powered by renewable electricity. The group has also committed to reducing water consumption per sleeper by 20% by 2030.
As part of its long-term growth plan, Whitbread aims to expand its room count from 85,500 to 125,000 across the UK and Ireland, with London remaining a central focus.
Whitbread's expansion south of the Thames via the Dorset House project underscores how strategic location, sustainability, and adaptive reuse are converging to shape future hotel development in major urban markets. The approach enables rapid delivery, aligns with ESG goals, and meets the evolving expectations of both business and leisure travellers.
Hotel website
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hospitality Net
an hour ago
- Hospitality Net
IRIS scales mobile ordering platform to satisfy global demand, now processing over $250 million in annual transactions
IRIS, the global leader in mobile F&B and guest experience platforms for the hospitality industry, proudly reports continued momentum, with over $250 million in orders processed annually, confirming its position as a leading innovator in hotel dining and guest engagement. This exceptional rate of growth is a consequence of the increasing number of hoteliers worldwide deploying IRIS' mobile ordering and digital guest directory solutions and their ever-increasing revenue numbers, as well as the boost in guest satisfaction and the increased staff productivity achieved as a result. IRIS also reports its growing global footprint with a presence in 100+ countries, serving over 2,000 hotels, and team members located across the UK, North America, China, Europe and South East Asia. The multi-functional IRIS platform has revolutionised mobile ordering for the hospitality industry offering a suite of solutions across F&B, guest directory and concierge that enables hotels to easily open new and profitable revenue streams. Providing a truly digital ordering experience, IRIS' platform makes it easier and faster for guests to browse, order and pay for items and services across multiple outlets, while reducing the hotel's operational workload. Flexible and scalable, its growing roster of clients includes leading hotel groups and brands across Marriott, Mandarin Oriental, Ennismore, Four Seasons, Hilton, Wyndham and IHG. On average, IRIS customers typically experience a 20% to 70% uplift in F&B revenue following deployment. IRIS also has an ever-expanding collection of direct integrations to leading POS, SOS and payment technology providers globally. Its most recent feature additions include Charge to Room, which makes payments seamless for in-house guests, while Related Items helps boost guest spend by suggesting complementary products. Advance Ordering gives guests the flexibility to schedule orders pre-stay, and Digital Staff Ordering offers a smoother, faster way for teams to manage service — perfect for venues combining traditional table service with mobile tech. All features are wrapped in industry leading security services with award winning global support. Commenting on its recent growth results, Mark Horne, CEO at IRIS said, 'The last 12 months have been exceptional for IRIS. We are working hard to hire more great people to add to the excellent team already in place and this, coupled with a clear strategic focus on what we want to achieve as a company is benefiting our customer's businesses. 'Our results are a testament to the hospitality industry's own continued investment in mobile ordering and digital solutions to add to a guest's experience, and we are very proud to be a part of this journey.' About IRIS Software Systems IRIS is a global market leader in digital F&B ordering, guest directory and concierge solutions for hotels, working with many of the world's leading chains including Marriott, Ennismore, Mandarin Oriental, IHG and Four Seasons. IRIS empowers Hotels and F&B leaders to do what they do best: increase revenue, look after their teams, and provide an outstanding customer experience. Their flexible hospitality platform enables hotels and restaurants to provide a truly digital ordering experience to their guests, making it easier and faster for guests to browse, order and pay for items and services across multiple outlets. Since 2010, thousands of hotels on every continent across the world have used IRIS's mobile, tablet and web app technology to boost additional revenues by 20% on average. More information: or [email protected] Kate Fuller Senior Marketing Manager View source
Hospitality Net
a day ago
- Hospitality Net
Dalata Draws a Line in the Sand, Spurning Pandox's 'Low-Ball' Bid
In a firm show of resolve, Dalata Hotel Group has slammed the door on an unsolicited €6.05-per-share cash approach from the Pandox–Eiendomsspar partnership, branding the proposal a glaring undervaluation of Ireland's largest hotel operator. Dalata's board—already running a formal sales process (FSP) as part of a broader strategic review—wasted little time before issuing a unanimous rejection. Even in the notoriously polite world of deal announcements, the subtext was unmistakable: thanks, but no thanks—come back when you understand our worth. Why the snub? At first glance, a headline price of 605 cents might look generous; it represents a tidy premium to where the shares traded before rumours of a sale began swirling in March. But Dalata's directors have done the maths. The group controls 53 hotels, a well-oiled development pipeline, and a balance sheet that weathered the pandemic better than many peers. With Irish and UK occupancy snapping back to record levels and RevPAR still climbing, management believes value will only fatten from here. More crucially, the Pandox consortium declined to join the board-run sales process—an early sign, Dalata feels, that the Swedish-Norwegian duo were unwilling to meet the same disclosure and timetable obligations demanded of other bidders. By ducking the data-room drill, Pandox forfeited its opportunity to sharpen the pencil. Clock is ticking for Pandox Under Irish Takeover Rule 2.6, the consortium now has until 5 p.m. (Dublin), 15 July to 'put up or shut up': either table a binding Rule 2.7 offer or announce it is walking away for at least six months. The Takeover Panel rarely grants extensions without compelling cause, so the midsummer deadline is real. What next for shareholders? For the moment, Dalata urges investors to sit tight. Several unnamed suitors remain inside the FSP's tent, each having fired in a non-binding proposal. If any sees strategic or synergistic sparkle that Pandox overlooked, a bidding contest could still break out. Yet nothing is guaranteed. Prospective buyers may balk at the very valuation uplift Dalata is chasing. And while trading momentum is strong, the hotel cycle can turn as swiftly as it recovers; the board's definition of 'full value' may prove elusive if financing costs creep higher through 2025. Still, yesterday's brusque rebuttal sends a clear message: Dalata believes it controls its own destiny—and won't relinquish it cheaply. Pandox must now decide whether to dig deeper or bow out. Either way, the coming six weeks promise to test convictions on both sides of the negotiating table. Read the full article at
Hospitality Net
a day ago
- Hospitality Net
Julia Gosling has been appointed Head of Brand and Marketing at Resident Hotels Ltd (RHL)
Specialist hotel operating and development company Resident Hotels Ltd (RHL) has appointed Julia Gosling to the newly-created role of Head of Brand and Marketing. Gosling joins the group as it continues to expand, building on the recent opening of The Resident Edinburgh for owners Mactaggart Family & Partners and the near-complete transformation of the Sleeperz Hotels portfolio to Four Points Flex by Sheraton, Marriott International's newly launched EMEA Midscale brand, operated under franchise by RHL. Prior to this appointment, Gosling spent eight years at Hand Picked Hotels, a privately owned 21-hotel collection where she oversaw brand development, digital growth, content and PR. She also has a wealth of broader hospitality marketing and PR knowledge within the sector having worked in-house and in-agency, which she now brings to RHL's portfolio. Gosling said: "I am thrilled to be joining RHL at this exciting time in the company's growth and look forward to working across The Resident and Marriott International's Four Points Flex by Sheraton brands, each of which represent great opportunities for owners and investors. The Resident Edinburgh, the sixth hotel in the group, is currently ranking sixth of Edinburgh hotels on TripAdvisor less than six months after its soft opening in late November 2024. The four-strong Sleeperz portfolio, three of which were converted in April to the mid-scale Four Points Flex by Sheraton brand, recently launched by Marriott International with RHL operating the hotels under franchise contracts. The fourth hotel, Cityroomz Edinburgh, will join the stable in June completing a fast-track successful transition. Resident Hotels is currently in discussions over a number of new sites as it continues to look to expansion also through management contracts, with further announcements expected this year.
