Commune Hotels & Resorts Announces Strategic Alliance with Alila Hotels & Resorts

SAN FRANCISCO, May 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- San Francisco-based Commune Hotels & Resorts, parent company of Joie de Vivre Hotels, Thompson Hotels and tommie, announces a new partnership with Singapore-based Alila Hotels & Resorts to create a global, lifestyle hotel management platform.

"This partnership will further Commune's mission to build a global multi-brand platform that offers travelers a diversified collection of experience-driven boutique and lifestyle hotels," said Niki Leondakis, CEO of Commune. "We look forward to successfully building the awareness of Commune's brands beyond North America and Europe and throughout Asia."

This alliance is the result of Geolo Capital, the private equity firm that owns Commune, acquiring an interest in Alila, a leading Asian lifestyle hotel company. It will allow Alila and Commune to leverage their combined strengths and collective expertise across their respective stronghold markets.  Both companies will benefit from and gain access to each other's brands and sales, marketing, and revenue management channels to generate wider exposure and distribution internationally.

"Alila Hotels & Resorts is an attractive investment opportunity because of its strong reputation in Asia and a natural partner given Geolo Capital's history of financial investment and partnership with Alila president and founder, Mark Edleson," said John Pritzker, chairman of Commune Hotels & Resorts and founding partner of Geolo Capital.  "Our intent is to cross-promote Commune and Alila to both domestic and international travelers and to enhance each company's global presence."

"We believe this partnership will be a major milestone in achieving the global ambitions of the original Alila partners.  Together, we will be a much stronger global player," said Mr. Edleson.

Alila and Commune share a commitment to a purpose-driven ethos, desirable destinations and immersive, inspiring experiences rooted in each hotel's location.

As a multi-brand hotel management company, Commune offers a leading portfolio of boutique lifestyle hotel brands that cater to different lifestyles and demographics, each designed to inspire the human spirit through personalized interactions, creative interior design and locally connected experiences. Commune will continue to deliver experience-oriented properties through its Joie de Vivre Hotels, Thompson Hotels and tommie brands.

Frederic Flageat-Simon, CEO of Alila, and its Singapore-based executive team manage the Alila portfolio, which comprises two distinct brands, Alila Villas and Alila, represented by ten properties across three countries in Asia. Alila, derived from Sanskrit and meaning "surprise," is characterized by innovative design, a strong commitment to responsible tourism and a new level of guest experience focused on building unique emotional moments between the guest, the hotel, and the destination. Alila has a current pipeline of 15 hotels developing across Asia.

"Our partnership with Commune gives Alila exposure in North America and allows for synergies between our sales, marketing and revenue management channels, which will benefit both of our portfolios of hotels," said Frederic Flageat-Simon, CEO of Alila. "We're working closely and strategically together to explore mutually-beneficial business opportunities as well as joint marketing, sales and promotion activities."

About Commune Hotels & Resorts
Formed in October 2011, Commune Hotels & Resorts is an international, multi-brand lifestyle hotel management company which manages and operates Thompson Hotels, a luxury lifestyle brand; Joie de Vivre Hotels, a collection of independently branded boutique hotels; and tommie, a new, youthfully-minded brand launching in 2015. The San Francisco-based company manages more than 40 hotels and resorts across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and is expanding its portfolio while establishing a presence in Mexico. For more information, please visit www.communehotels.com.

About Geolo Capital
San Francisco-based Geolo Capital is the private equity investment arm of the John A. Pritzker family, continuing a four generation unmatched record of creating, investing in and building a diversified portfolio of consumer-focused companies. The Geolo Capital team has a long history of investing in branded consumer companies. From its legacy involvement helping to grow Ticketmaster, to founding Mandara Spa, to the company's recent investment in Carmel Valley Ranch, Geolo Capital's mission is to cultivate enduring, world-class brands in four core industries – hospitality, entertainment, health and wellness, and consumer products. Geolo combines operational expertise, strategic vision, and highly targeted capital to create long-term value for the companies in which it invests. For more information, please visit www.geolo.com.  

About Alila Hotels & Resorts
ALILA LIFESTYLE COLLECTION
Alila Hotels and Resorts offer stylish, relaxing environments with surprisingly different lifestyle concepts and guest experiences that are continuously redefined by the latest developments in design and living. The Alila Experience is centered on building unique "emotional moments" between the guest, the hotel and destination. The name Alila is derived from Sanskrit meaning 'surprise.'

ALILA VILLAS CRAFTED LUXURY
Alila Villas represent Alila's new generation of ultra-luxurious yet sustainable developments in some of the most spectacular locations, set apart by an unprecedented level of private space, design and architecture, personalized hospitality and destination experiences. Designed by award-winning teams of architects, interior designers and artisans, an Alila Villas project is the only brand that is designed, built and operated to EarthCheck standards - integrating the natural, physical and cultural elements of its environment. Currently, Alila is continuing to develop exciting new hotels and resorts in China, India, Indochina and Oman.

For more information, please visit www.alilahotels.com.

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SOURCE Commune Hotels & Resorts