AccorHotels bids to take over Australia's Mantra Group

AccorHotels has lobbed a US$931 million bid to take over Australia's Mantra Group, that country's second largest hotel operator, various international news sources have reported.

According to local Australian newspapers, the takeover bid follows months of speculation that Mantra was up for sale, with potential international suitors including Marriott, Hyatt, InterContinental, as well as China's HNA and Manshan groups.

The Mantra Group owns and operates more than 125 properties and in excess of 20,000 rooms across Australia, Indonesia and Hawaii under the Mantra, Peppers and Breakfree brands.

In Australia, AccorHotels operates the Sofitel, Novotel, Grand Mercure, Mercure, Ibis and Swissotel brands and has recently opened the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour.