Arora International chairman, Surinder Arora

Arora International Hotels says it has agreed a deal with Hotel Property Investors (HPI) to buy the operating lease of the Renaissance Hotel at Gatwick on 23 May.

The hotel will be rebranded as a Mercure franchise (an Accor Hospitality brand) and known as Mercure London Gatwick offering 254 rooms.

“Gatwick is one of the most important business and tourist hubs in the south east of England and I am confident the hotel will provide an excellent base for guests,” said Arora International chairman Surinder Arora.

The property is half a mile from London Gatwick airport and close to the M23 motorway. Arora says it will undertake “an extensive refurbishment” to bring the hotel to a four star standard. This will be the 29th Mercure property for the UK and the first airport presence for the brand.

“The hotel is in a key location for the brand and further reinforces our ambition to make Mercure a major player in the UK market,” added Accor Hotels (UK) managing director Jean-Jacques Dessors.