The Arora Group has announced the successful acquisition of Bloc Hotels, a company renowned for developing, owning, and operating premium short-stay hotels in prime urban locations. Bloc Hotels is known for its smart, space-efficient design and innovative construction methods, delivering compact yet thoughtfully designed rooms. By focusing on the essentials, the brand offers guests a high-quality, value-driven experience.
The acquisition includes the 245-room Bloc Gatwick and the 105-room Bloc Birmingham, as well as two additional UK sites slated for future development.
Initially recognised as a specialist airport hotel owner-operator, the Arora Group expanded into the city centre market in 2017 with the opening of InterContinental London – The O2. Since then, the Group has continued to diversify its portfolio, entering the country house hotel sector with properties such as Fairmont Windsor Park and Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa, and branching into other real estate assets including the Peacocks Shopping Centre in Woking and County Mall Shopping Centre in Crawley. The acquisition of Bloc Hotels aligns with the Group’s strategic vision of diversification and further solidifies Arora’s position as the hotel operator of choice at Gatwick.
Surinder Arora, CEO and Chairman of the Arora Group commented: “The acquisition of Bloc Hotels marks another exciting milestone for the Arora Group as we continue to build a diverse portfolio of assets across the UK. Bloc Gatwick allows us to further cement our presence at the airport, complementing our already successful Hilton, Sofitel and Crawley properties”
Rob Morgan, Managing Director of Bloc Hotels, commented: “Bloc Hotels is pleased to announce the next chapter in its journey, as the Arora Group – renowned for its deep hospitality expertise and family-driven values – takes the helm. With a shared respect for the Bloc brand and culture, the Arora Group brings not only the operational strength and experience to scale the business, but a genuine enthusiasm for its future. This transition marks a new phase of growth, including the upcoming developments of Bloc Grand Central and Bloc Glasgow.
The founders of Bloc express their heartfelt gratitude to the team that shaped the brand and have full confidence in Arora’s vision to carry it forward with integrity and ambition.”
Dentons advised the Arora Group on the acquisition. Sanjay Arora, Chief Operating Officer of the Arora Group said: “Simon Masri and the Dentons team provided best in class legal advice on this strategic acquisition for the Group. We look forward to continuing our relationship with our trusted legal advisers on future projects”.
