Austin's Driskill Hotel Acquired for $85 Million by Hyatt Affiliate

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. March 12, 2013

March 12, 2013 - The transaction closed earlier today and the hotel will continue to be marketed as The Driskill Hotel under the umbrella of Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. The hotel will undergo a two-year, approximately $8 million renovation to preserve its reputation as one of the most storied hotels in Texas.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) announced that a Hyatt affiliate has acquired the 189-room Driskill Hotel for approximately $85 million from an investment fund managed by Lowe Enterprises Investors, which was represented in the transaction by Jones Lang LaSalle's Hotels & Hospitality Group.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to continue the tradition of hospitality that Lowe Enterprises and Destination Hotels & Resorts have been providing at The Driskill Hotel during their ownership and management of this special property.”

The transaction closed earlier today and the hotel will continue to be marketed as The Driskill Hotel under the umbrella of Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. The hotel will undergo a two-year, approximately $8 million renovation to preserve its reputation as one of the most storied hotels in Texas.

“Our investment in this hotel, which has a highly visible and long-standing presence in a vibrant market, is a great example of Hyatt's willingness and ability to apply our capital to increase our brand presence in key locations for our guests. Austin has a diverse economy driven by technology, the state capitol, and the University of Texas, and is a rapidly growing tourism and convention market,” said David Tarr, senior vice president of North American development and real estate for Hyatt. “We are excited to have the opportunity to continue the tradition of hospitality that Lowe Enterprises and Destination Hotels & Resorts have been providing at The Driskill Hotel during their ownership and management of this special property.”

Built in 1886, The Driskill Hotel is one of downtown Austin's most recognizable buildings and was designated a national historic landmark in 1969. The hotel's location provides easy access to the Central Business District, the Texas State Capitol and the Austin Convention Center, as well as the areas that comprise the heart of Austin's cultural and entertainment activity, including the 6th Street Entertainment District, the Warehouse District and 2nd Street Retail District.

“We are thrilled to add such a well-loved local icon to the Hyatt family and are delighted to be increasing our presence in Austin, which offers world-class business and educational institutions, as well as thriving entertainment and technology scenes,” said Rakesh Sarna, group president - Americas for Hyatt.

Hyatt continues to grow its portfolio across all brands globally. The company's executed contract base is larger than it has ever been, and as of December 31, 2012, it included management or franchise contracts for approximately 200 hotels.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a proud heritage of making guests feel more than welcome. Thousands of members of the Hyatt family strive to make a difference in the lives of the guests they encounter every day by providing authentic hospitality. The Company's subsidiaries manage, franchise, own and develop hotels and resorts under the Hyatt®, Park Hyatt®, Andaz®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Place® and Hyatt HouseTM brand names and have locations on six continents. Hyatt Residential Group, Inc., a Hyatt Hotels Corporation subsidiary, develops, operates, markets or licenses Hyatt ResidencesTM and Hyatt Residence ClubTM. As of December 31, 2012, the Company's worldwide portfolio consisted of 500 properties in 46 countries.