Choice Hotels International is reportedly eyeing a takeover of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, according to a Wall Street Journal report. 

A Choice Hotels spokesperson declined to respond to the report, saying the company “does not comment about market rumors and speculation.” Wyndham said, “We don’t comment on rumors. We are focused on business as usual, driving value for our franchisees, team members, guests and stakeholders.”

The Journal acknowledged that the two parties aren’t yet engaged in “serious talks,” and that “it isn’t clear whether Wyndham wants to do a deal.” Still, the Journal said that even if Wyndham declined to entertain a deal, Choice could take an offer directly to Wyndham’s shareholders.

Choice Hotels, which has a 22-brand portfolio, plays largely in the economy, midscale and upper-midscale price points with its Comfort, Sleep Inn, Quality Inn, Clarion, Rodeway Inn and EconoLodge flags. The company is also strong in the extended-stay space with MainStay Suites, WoodSpring Suites, Suburban Studios and Everhome Suites. 

More recently, Choice has focused on expanding its presence at the higher end, acquiring Radisson Hotel Group Americas for $675 million last summer. 

• On the Record: Choice Hotels exec Noha Abdalla 

Wyndham has quite a bit of category overlap with Choice within its 24-brand stable, playing in economy, midscale and upper-midscale with flags like Days Inn, Super 8, Travelodge, Ramada, La Quinta and Wyndham Garden as well as in extended-stay with Hawthorn Suites and Echo Suites.

Like Choice, Wyndham is also in the process of growing its higher-end offerings. In 2021, Wyndham debuted a luxury soft brand, Registry Collection Hotels, and late last year, the company acquired Europe’s Vienna House, doubling its upscale footprint across Europe, the Middle East, Eurasia and Africa.

Unlike Choice, however, Wyndham has a foothold in the all-inclusive space with its Wyndham Alltra brand, launched in partnership with Playa Hotels & Resorts.

Last year, the company further bolstered its all-inclusive presence through a partnership with Spain’s Palladium Group, with the vast majority of the 15 Palladium-managed resorts joining the Wyndham fold as part of its Registry Collection Hotels portfolio.

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