Braemar Hotels & Resorts Begins Company Sale Process
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 26 2025
0mins
Company Sale Announcement: Braemar Hotels & Resorts' Board of Directors has initiated a process to sell the company, forming a Special Committee of independent directors to explore strategic alternatives for maximizing shareholder value.
Engagement with Financial Advisors: The company is working with financial advisor Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. to begin the sale process, which includes soliciting interest from potential buyers and sharing necessary information.
Market Challenges: The Board believes that the current market environment poses challenges for luxury lodging REITs like Braemar, citing historically low EBITDA multiples and ongoing activist investor pressures.
Historical Context: The situation mirrors that of Strategic Hotel & Resorts, which faced similar undervaluation and activism before ultimately being sold in an all-cash transaction after exploring strategic options.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy BHR?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on BHR
About BHR
Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc. is a real estate investment trust (REIT) which invests primarily in high revenue per available room (RevPAR) luxury hotels and resorts. The Company owns interests in approximately 13 hotel properties in six states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, United States (U.S.) Virgin Islands with over 3,028 total rooms. The hotel properties in its portfolio are predominantly located in U.S. urban and resort locations. Its hotel properties are asset-managed by Ashford LLC. Its hotel properties include Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale, The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas, The Ritz-Carlton Reserve Dorado Beach, Capital Hilton, Pier House Resort & Spa, The Notary Hotel, Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile, The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe, Bardessono Hotel and Spa, Hotel Yountville, and Cameo Beverly Hills. The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale includes over 210 luxurious, spacious guest rooms, including 22 suites and more.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Al Shams Investments Urges Board to Resist Manipulation by Ashford Executives
- Shareholder Rights Advocacy: Al Shams Investments, as the largest shareholder of Braemar Hotels & Resorts, urges outside directors to resist efforts by conflicted Ashford executives to manipulate the director nomination and election process, highlighting a strong commitment to corporate governance.
- Legitimacy of the Board Questioned: In their letter, Al Shams asserts that the current Board lacks legitimacy and calls for the prompt convening of the 2026 Annual Meeting to allow shareholders to elect new directors, reflecting deep dissatisfaction with the governance structure.
- Questionnaire Content Changes: The newly revised director nomination questionnaire adds over 60 questions, which Al Shams argues are irrelevant and designed to impede shareholders' legitimate rights to nominate candidates, indicating unfair game rules set by the Board.
- Poor Stock Performance: Since separating from Ashford Hospitality Trust in 2013, Braemar's stock price has declined by nearly 90%, with Al Shams emphasizing that the Board should focus on improving operational performance rather than creating obstacles, reflecting concerns about the company's future prospects.
See More
Al Shams Investments Urges Board to Resist Manipulation Efforts
- Shareholder Nomination Rights: Al Shams Investments, as the largest shareholder of Braemar Hotels & Resorts, urges outside directors to resist efforts by conflicted Ashford executives to manipulate the director nomination and election process, highlighting serious concerns over corporate governance.
- Meeting Call Demand: In their letter, Al Shams requests the prompt convening of the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to allow for the election of new directors, reflecting a consensus among shareholders that the current board lacks legitimacy.
- Questionnaire Content Critique: Al Shams criticizes the new nomination questionnaire for adding seven pages and over 60 questions compared to last year, arguing that these additions do not serve shareholder interests and instead impede the legitimate exercise of nomination rights, indicating unfair game rules by the board.
- Poor Stock Performance: Since separating from Ashford Hospitality Trust in 2013, Braemar's stock price has declined nearly 90%, making it one of the worst performers in the FTSE NAREIT Index, prompting Al Shams to call for the board to focus on improving operational performance and shareholder returns.
See More
Al Shams Investments Urges Calling of 2026 Annual Meeting
- Urgency of Meeting: Al Shams Investments, the largest shareholder of Braemar Hotels & Resorts, is urging the prompt calling of the 2026 Annual Meeting to allow shareholders to elect new directors, highlighting a crisis of confidence in the current board.
- Board Independence Concerns: Al Shams expresses serious concerns regarding the board's independence, noting that employees from external advisor Ashford occupy over 40% of board seats, which could lead to conflicts of interest affecting corporate governance.
- Strategic Transaction Risks: The board is evaluating strategic transactions that could result in payments exceeding $480 million to Ashford, raising alarms for Al Shams about the board's independence and potential harm to shareholder interests.
- Candidate Recommendations: Al Shams has identified a group of capable new candidates, emphasizing the need to reconstitute the board to effectively protect all shareholders' interests, and is calling for the immediate scheduling of the annual meeting to elect new directors.
See More
Al Shams Investments Urges Calling of 2026 Shareholder Meeting
- Urgency of Shareholder Meeting: Al Shams Investments, the largest shareholder of Braemar Hotels & Resorts, is urging the prompt calling of the 2026 Annual Meeting to allow shareholders to elect new directors, highlighting a crisis of confidence in the current board.
- Board Independence Concerns: Al Shams has expressed serious concerns regarding the board's oversight capabilities, noting that employees from external advisor Ashford now occupy over 40% of board seats, exacerbating potential conflicts of interest.
- Strategic Transaction Risks: The board is evaluating strategic transactions that could result in payments exceeding $480 million to Ashford, which Al Shams believes could undermine shareholder interests, emphasizing the need for an independent board to oversee such dealings.
- Loss of Shareholder Trust: Following the 2025 Annual Meeting, shareholder confidence in the current directors has significantly declined, and Al Shams argues that the board's response has failed to meet the urgent demand for change, calling for immediate action to restore trust.
See More
Braemar Hotels Sells Park Hyatt Beaver Creek for $176 Million
- Successful Asset Sale: Braemar Hotels & Resorts has successfully sold the 193-room Park Hyatt Beaver Creek for $176 million, achieving a price of $912,000 per key, reflecting the company's strong performance in the luxury hotel market.
- Capitalization Rate Insight: The transaction's capitalization rate stands at 4.6%, based on the net operating income for the trailing 12 months ending March 2026, indicating stable cash flow and value appreciation during the holding period.
- Debt Repayment and Financial Strength: Following the sale, the company repaid a $70.5 million mortgage loan and retained approximately $104.5 million in net proceeds, further strengthening its financial position and supporting future strategic alternatives.
- Clear Strategic Direction: This sale aligns with Braemar's strategy of holding high-quality assets, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to investing in the high-growth luxury hotel sector, aimed at enhancing returns for investors.
See More
Braemar Hotels Sells Park Hyatt Beaver Creek for $176 Million
- Successful Asset Sale: Braemar Hotels successfully sold the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek for $176 million, achieving a price per key of $912,000 and a capitalization rate of 4.6%, reflecting the company's strong performance in the luxury hotel market.
- Significant Investment Returns: Acquired for $145.5 million in 2017, the hotel generated robust cash flow over nine years, significantly increasing its value and ultimately delivering compelling returns for investors.
- Debt Repayment and Financial Strength: Following the transaction, Braemar repaid a $70.5 million mortgage loan and retained approximately $104.5 million in net proceeds after expenses, further strengthening its balance sheet to support future strategic alternatives.
- Clear Strategic Direction: Braemar's focus on the high-growth luxury hotel and resort sector aligns with this successful sale, underscoring the company's commitment to investing in high-quality assets and its growth potential in the premium market.
See More
Al Shams Investments Urges Board to Resist Manipulation by Ashford Executives
- Shareholder Rights Advocacy: Al Shams Investments, as the largest shareholder of Braemar Hotels & Resorts, urges outside directors to resist efforts by conflicted Ashford executives to manipulate the director nomination and election process, highlighting a strong commitment to corporate governance.
- Legitimacy of the Board Questioned: In their letter, Al Shams asserts that the current Board lacks legitimacy and calls for the prompt convening of the 2026 Annual Meeting to allow shareholders to elect new directors, reflecting deep dissatisfaction with the governance structure.
- Questionnaire Content Changes: The newly revised director nomination questionnaire adds over 60 questions, which Al Shams argues are irrelevant and designed to impede shareholders' legitimate rights to nominate candidates, indicating unfair game rules set by the Board.
- Poor Stock Performance: Since separating from Ashford Hospitality Trust in 2013, Braemar's stock price has declined by nearly 90%, with Al Shams emphasizing that the Board should focus on improving operational performance rather than creating obstacles, reflecting concerns about the company's future prospects.
See More
Al Shams Investments Urges Board to Resist Manipulation Efforts
- Shareholder Nomination Rights: Al Shams Investments, as the largest shareholder of Braemar Hotels & Resorts, urges outside directors to resist efforts by conflicted Ashford executives to manipulate the director nomination and election process, highlighting serious concerns over corporate governance.
- Meeting Call Demand: In their letter, Al Shams requests the prompt convening of the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to allow for the election of new directors, reflecting a consensus among shareholders that the current board lacks legitimacy.
- Questionnaire Content Critique: Al Shams criticizes the new nomination questionnaire for adding seven pages and over 60 questions compared to last year, arguing that these additions do not serve shareholder interests and instead impede the legitimate exercise of nomination rights, indicating unfair game rules by the board.
- Poor Stock Performance: Since separating from Ashford Hospitality Trust in 2013, Braemar's stock price has declined nearly 90%, making it one of the worst performers in the FTSE NAREIT Index, prompting Al Shams to call for the board to focus on improving operational performance and shareholder returns.
See More
Al Shams Investments Urges Calling of 2026 Annual Meeting
- Urgency of Meeting: Al Shams Investments, the largest shareholder of Braemar Hotels & Resorts, is urging the prompt calling of the 2026 Annual Meeting to allow shareholders to elect new directors, highlighting a crisis of confidence in the current board.
- Board Independence Concerns: Al Shams expresses serious concerns regarding the board's independence, noting that employees from external advisor Ashford occupy over 40% of board seats, which could lead to conflicts of interest affecting corporate governance.
- Strategic Transaction Risks: The board is evaluating strategic transactions that could result in payments exceeding $480 million to Ashford, raising alarms for Al Shams about the board's independence and potential harm to shareholder interests.
- Candidate Recommendations: Al Shams has identified a group of capable new candidates, emphasizing the need to reconstitute the board to effectively protect all shareholders' interests, and is calling for the immediate scheduling of the annual meeting to elect new directors.
See More
Al Shams Investments Urges Calling of 2026 Shareholder Meeting
- Urgency of Shareholder Meeting: Al Shams Investments, the largest shareholder of Braemar Hotels & Resorts, is urging the prompt calling of the 2026 Annual Meeting to allow shareholders to elect new directors, highlighting a crisis of confidence in the current board.
- Board Independence Concerns: Al Shams has expressed serious concerns regarding the board's oversight capabilities, noting that employees from external advisor Ashford now occupy over 40% of board seats, exacerbating potential conflicts of interest.
- Strategic Transaction Risks: The board is evaluating strategic transactions that could result in payments exceeding $480 million to Ashford, which Al Shams believes could undermine shareholder interests, emphasizing the need for an independent board to oversee such dealings.
- Loss of Shareholder Trust: Following the 2025 Annual Meeting, shareholder confidence in the current directors has significantly declined, and Al Shams argues that the board's response has failed to meet the urgent demand for change, calling for immediate action to restore trust.
See More
Braemar Hotels Sells Park Hyatt Beaver Creek for $176 Million
- Successful Asset Sale: Braemar Hotels & Resorts has successfully sold the 193-room Park Hyatt Beaver Creek for $176 million, achieving a price of $912,000 per key, reflecting the company's strong performance in the luxury hotel market.
- Capitalization Rate Insight: The transaction's capitalization rate stands at 4.6%, based on the net operating income for the trailing 12 months ending March 2026, indicating stable cash flow and value appreciation during the holding period.
- Debt Repayment and Financial Strength: Following the sale, the company repaid a $70.5 million mortgage loan and retained approximately $104.5 million in net proceeds, further strengthening its financial position and supporting future strategic alternatives.
- Clear Strategic Direction: This sale aligns with Braemar's strategy of holding high-quality assets, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to investing in the high-growth luxury hotel sector, aimed at enhancing returns for investors.
See More
Braemar Hotels Sells Park Hyatt Beaver Creek for $176 Million
- Successful Asset Sale: Braemar Hotels successfully sold the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek for $176 million, achieving a price per key of $912,000 and a capitalization rate of 4.6%, reflecting the company's strong performance in the luxury hotel market.
- Significant Investment Returns: Acquired for $145.5 million in 2017, the hotel generated robust cash flow over nine years, significantly increasing its value and ultimately delivering compelling returns for investors.
- Debt Repayment and Financial Strength: Following the transaction, Braemar repaid a $70.5 million mortgage loan and retained approximately $104.5 million in net proceeds after expenses, further strengthening its balance sheet to support future strategic alternatives.
- Clear Strategic Direction: Braemar's focus on the high-growth luxury hotel and resort sector aligns with this successful sale, underscoring the company's commitment to investing in high-quality assets and its growth potential in the premium market.
See More
