A sale of both property and operations
Comer Group International completed the acquisition of the Grand Hotel Gravenbruch on 30 October 2026. The former Hilton is located in the Gravenbruch district of Neu-Isenburg, at the heart of the Rhine-Main region. The deal covers both the real estate and the hotel business. The price was not disclosed.
The hotel has 225 rooms, including 37 suites, as well as 18 event spaces and a spa. It sits in extensive parkland with a private lake.
EU sanctions and insolvency
The sale brings to a close a particularly turbulent period. According to regional broadcaster hessenschau, the hotel entered insolvency proceedings after its partnership with Hilton came to an end. In August, the European Union sanctioned Ali Ansari, one of the hotel’s co-owners, whom it accuses of supporting the Iranian regime, an allegation he denies. The hotel has not welcomed guests since then.
As Ali Ansari could not derive any benefit from the sale, the contract had to be approved by Germany’s Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). This step considerably lengthened the transaction timeline.
A broad, structured sales process
Colliers acted as exclusive adviser to insolvency administrator Joachim Kühne, a lawyer at CMS. The firm ran a broad and tightly managed process, approaching domestic and international investors specialising in hospitality and in value-add and repositioning strategies.
Andreas Ewald, Head of Hotel Germany within Colliers’ EMEA Hospitality Practice Group, summed up the challenges of the deal. In his view, the combination of insolvency, reduced operations and the simultaneous transfer of property and operations meant that the Grand Hotel Gravenbruch brought together much of what makes a hotel transaction demanding. He said that a broad yet structured investor process had made the difference, and that the outcome shows international capital is available even in complex situations, provided the process and structure are right.
Joachim Kühne, for his part, welcomed having “found a viable solution for the historic Grand Hotel Gravenbruch under exceptionally difficult circumstances”. He sees Comer Group International as an experienced investor capable of opening up new prospects for this historic venue.
A buyer already established in Germany
London-based Comer Group International has been active in Germany since 2006. The group already owns and operates several hotels in the country and has extensive experience in real estate and hospitality. Its founder, Luke Comer, said he was proud of the acquisition.
Ninety employees remain from an original workforce of 140. All of them are being retained by the new owner, which plans further recruitment. No reopening date has been set. Comer Group is aiming for a return to normal operations by early summer, with the restaurant, wellness area and rooms brought back into service in stages.
Investor view
Analysis – The Gravenbruch case shows that the market can absorb special-situation assets, even when they combine legal, regulatory and operational constraints. It comes against a German backdrop marked by several restructurings, such as the insolvency of Revo Hospitality, which weighed on Wyndham’s results.
For the buyer, the challenge will be to relaunch commercially a hotel that has been closed for several months and no longer carries an international brand. It will also need to clarify its future positioning: the new owner has said it will announce its plans in due course.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Comer Group International acquires Grand Hotel Gravenbruch near Frankfurt out of insolvency
Deal closed on 30 October 2026, covering both property and hotel operations; price undisclosed
Five-star former Hilton: 225 rooms incl. 37 suites, 18 event spaces, spa, parkland with private lake
Colliers acted as exclusive adviser to insolvency administrator Joachim Kühne (CMS)
Sale required BAFA approval after EU sanctions on a co-owner halted operations in August
All 90 remaining staff retained; return to normal operations targeted for early summer
