Dive Brief:
- DoveHill acquired luxury hotel White Barn Inn in Kennebunk, Maine, for an undisclosed amount, the real estate investment firm announced Monday.
- Part of Auberge Resorts Collection, the five-star White Barn Inn offers guest cottages, a luxury spa and pool and a new houseboat for guests, part of a slew of “targeted enhancements” intended to improve the luxury experience, per DoveHill.
- The acquisition marks “a turning point in our hospitality strategy," DoveHill founder and CEO Jake Wurzak said in a statement. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based investment firm is seeking more “distinctive, irreplaceable” hotel assets for a newly launched opportunity fund.
Dive Insight:
Charles Paloux, DoveHill’s chief investment officer, said in a statement that White Barn Inn “exemplifies the kind of strategic investment we are pursuing in today's hospitality landscape.”
The firm is using its recently launched DoveHill Opportunity Fund 2 to target “the next generation of experiential and value-driven hospitality investments,” Paloux added.
The fund focuses on “opportunistic off-market acquisitions, structured equity, and experiential hospitality in markets with high barriers to entry and strong leisure demand,” aiming to benefit from a post-pandemic travel landscape and a growing preference for “unique, non-commoditized hotels that offer distinctive experiences,” according to an October announcement.
A local landmark for more than 150 years, the 28-room White Barn Inn, a 90-minute drive north of Boston, features two restaurants as well as access to shopping in nearby Kennebunkport. The property offers experiences including bike riding to local apple orchards and Maine lobster bakes.
In 2020, the property unveiled a redesign led by New York-based Jenny Wolf Interiors, which updated guest rooms and public spaces.
Auberge Resorts Collection, which has a portfolio of 30 hotels and resorts, will continue to manage White Barn Inn.
“This property embodies everything we look for: iconic status, one-of-a-kind character, and a legacy of excellence that we are excited to steward into the future,” Wurzak said in a statement.
According to a recent JLL report, economic uncertainty is posing hurdles for hotel investors this year, but luxury properties, in particular, continue to offer opportunities.
In contrast to other segments, which saw RevPAR deceleration in the first half of 2025, luxury performance continued steady growth as high-net-worth wealth grew, per the report.
