Possible Wyndham Sale Has Industry Watching

DALLAS— Wyndham International has been the talk of the town of late, with industry insiders trying to guess who may ultimately attempt to buy the hotel owner/operator/franchisor. While initially, Bass Hotels & Resorts had been singled out as the top contender for the Dallas-based chain, industry sources said that a deal with Bass is no longer the only option to consider. Reportedly, cash-rich Bass was willing to pay $4 billion for Wyndham, a price most considered reasonable. In the past week, however, the Wyndham-Bass rumors have attracted other lodging giants such as Marriott International and even Cendant to the deal— both of whom may get involved in negotiations, according to sources close to the situation. These same sources said that Cendant would be interested in gaining the rights to franchise the upscale Wyndham chain— much like the deal it did with Amerihost (now Arlington Hospitality)— and is working with a separate entity that would own Wyndham’s assets. Wyndham International offers upscale and luxury hotel and resort accommodations through proprietary lodging brands and a management services division. Wyndham International owns, leases, manages and franchises hotels and resorts in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. The company’s proprietary branded portfolio includes: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts– the companys core upscale brand offers full-service accommodations in urban, suburban and resort markets throughout North America. Wyndham Luxury Resorts – five-star destination properties distinguished by their unique settings and highly personalized service. Summerfield Suites by Wyndham – upscale, all-suite properties located in the United States and serving the extended-stay market. —Shannon McMullen