Extendam and HCI Douro Announce Acquisition of Hilton Porto Gaia Operator
The Portuguese Competition Authority (AdC) officially confirmed on August 8, 2025, that it has received notification of a proposed acquisition of Sabersal – Promoção Turística e Imobiliária, S.A., the corporate entity owning the Hilton Porto Gaia hotel. The buyers are the French private equity firm Extendam and the UK-based HCI Douro Holdings, signaling a significant foreign investment in Porto's hospitality sector. The transaction involves the purchase of 100% of Sabersal's share capital, effectively transferring control of the prominent hotel asset.
The business strategy behind the acquisition appears to leverage the specialized expertise of both purchasing entities. The deal is being formally executed through TrilháGrande, Unipessoal, Lda., a special purpose vehicle controlled by Extendam, in conjunction with HCI Douro UK Holdings Limited. This structure is common in private equity transactions to facilitate investment and manage assets within a specific market. The move underscores a clear strategy to capitalize on the strength and growth potential of Porto's tourism and luxury accommodation market.
The service offerings and client focus of the acquiring companies align directly with the asset in question. Extendam is a specialized private equity manager with a dedicated focus on the business hotel sector across Europe, with existing investments in Portugal. Their portfolio is built around acquiring and enhancing hotel properties in key urban and tourist destinations. HCI Douro Holdings is an affiliate of Highgate Hotels LLP, a leading global real estate investment and hospitality management company. Highgate's existing Portuguese operations, conducted through HGP, Lda., are concentrated in the luxury hotel segment, where it provides management and consultancy services. This acquisition will substantially expand its operational footprint in the country.
The geographic expansion for both firms into Porto via this high-profile asset is a strategic decision. Porto has seen a significant rise in tourism and business travel over the past decade, leading to a robust demand for high-quality, branded hotel accommodation. The Hilton Porto Gaia is one of the city's premier hotels, and its acquisition provides an immediate, high-performing asset for the new owners. This move is part of a broader trend of foreign capital targeting key real estate assets in Portugal's second-largest city.
The partnership agreement between Extendam and HCI Douro combines financial investment with deep operational expertise. This strategic alliance is designed to optimize the hotel's performance and market position. While financial details of the transaction were not disclosed, such acquisitions typically involve significant capital investment aimed at enhancing the property and its services over the long term. The deal reflects strong investor confidence in the continued growth of the Portuguese hospitality market.
The leadership at both Extendam and Highgate have a long track record of successful hotel investments across Europe and North America. Their combined market reputation for enhancing asset value and operational excellence suggests a long-term commitment to the Hilton Porto Gaia. The competitive advantage for the new ownership will lie in their ability to leverage global management best practices and international marketing networks to further boost the hotel's profitability.
The Competition Authority has opened a 10-working-day period for public comment on the concentration operation, a standard procedure in such transactions. Following this period, the AdC will conduct its analysis to ensure the deal does not negatively impact market competition. The future business plans for the hotel under its new ownership will likely focus on maintaining its leading market position and potentially introducing new services or amenities to enhance the guest experience. Connect with trusted real estate professionals at realestate-lisbon.com.
