By Shane Cullen Stephen Aherne
In a landmark deal that marks the largest hotel asset transaction in Spain’s history, Spring Hotels – one of the Canary Islands’ leading hospitality groups – has acquired the iconic Mare Nostrum Resort for €430 million. This move doubles the group’s portfolio and firmly establishes it as a dominant force in southern Tenerife.
The acquisition includes three hotels with over 1,000 rooms, a dedicated MICE centre, and a variety of food and beverage venues, including the renowned Hard Rock Cafe and Palapa Beach Club. The Mare Nostrum Resort recently underwent a €56 million renovation led by its former operator, Selenta Group, which is partially owned by Brookfield in Spain.
This milestone agreement will expand Spring Hotels’ portfolio with three properties:
SIR ANTHONY – a 5-star boutique hotel with 70 rooms, many with private terraces and ocean views,
CLEOPATRA PALACE – a 4-star property with 431 rooms, famed for its Roman architecture,
ARONA MEDITERRANEAN PALACE – a 5-star, 391 room family-friendly resort offering spacious accommodation and vibrant communal spaces
This transformative acquisition builds upon Spring Hotels’ existing roster of properties:
HOTEL VULCANO – a chic 4-star with 371 rooms and pool party vibes
BITCORA – a family-focused 4-star with 314 rooms and its own water park
ARONA GRAN – an upscale 4-star plus adult only resort with wellness-centre, spa, and fine-dining oriented
A Commitment to Tenerife, By Tenerife
With its headquarters in Tenerife and a management team deeply rooted in the island, Spring Hotels stands out as one of the few hotel groups with genuine local roots and operational leadership in Tenerife. True to its brand promise “The Heart of Tenerife” this move reaffirms the group’s pledge to celebrate local culture, champion regional employment, and amplify the island’s reputation.
“For us, this is more than a hotel expansion, it’s a proud repositioning of this iconic resort into local hands,” said Miguel Villarroya, CEO of Spring Hotel. “It’s a bold commitment to quality, a wider product range, and to Tenerife itself. This operation reflects the group’s strength and sustained growth over the past decade. It’s a strategic step that reinforces our position as a sector leader while expanding our offering by complementing our four-star portfolio with high-end tourism products. This highlights our ability to invest and manage locally. With over 40 years of presence in Tenerife and the Canary Islands, we reaffirm our long-term commitment to the region, with a continued focus on responsible tourism and sustainable development.”
Strategic, Not Just Symbolic
This landmark acquisition gives Spring Hotels greater leverage with key tour operators, suppliers and travel partners, reinforcing its long standing commitment to the UK and Irish markets, where Tenerife remains a top-performing destination.
“The acquisition isn’t just about numbers, it’s a forward-thinking investment,” says Joanne Robinson, Chief Sales Officer. Spring Hotels, with strong partnerships already established with TUI, Jet2, and easyJet, and a newly formed dedicated trade team all ABTA trained, is fully committed to simplifying agent bookings, maximising visibility across all sales channels, and making life easier for our valued trade partners”
She adds: “We’ll be educating everyone in the UK & Ireland about our new portfolio imminently. There’s real excitement about what this means for agents and customers alike.
As tastes shift and the Canary Islands gain a new ‘cool’ credibility beyond their classic sun-and-sand appeal, this acquisition reinforces Spring Hotels’ relevance. The region is also expected to see a boost in winter tourism, as geopolitical unrest makes other destinations less predictable.
Looking Ahead with Confidence
While brand development remains on the table for the future, Spring Hotels assures guests and staff that the current focus is on continuity and stability. All operations at the newly acquired hotels will continue uninterrupted.
“This is a huge step forward, but one taken with humility, pride, and a clear vision for our island’s future,” Villarroya concludes. “Spring Hotels is Tenerife, and we’re just getting started.”
The integration of Mare Nostrum Resort into the Spring Hotels portfolio not only increases the group’s accommodation capacity, but also enhances operational and commercial synergies – driving future growth, profitability, and greater negotiating power in the market.
Located in the municipality of Arona, where Spring Hotels already operates three properties, this acquisition reinforces the group’s commitment to high-quality tourism and firmly positions it as a key player in the sector, well-placed for future strategic transactions.