Hotels & Accommodations
Lark Hotels Marks First Takeover in Birmingham, Adding to Its Portfolio Across East Coast, Texas and California- Here is What You Should Know
Friday, July 25, 2025
There has been an exciting development in the hotel world as Lark Hotels have just taken over The Painted Lady, a lovely 22-room boutique hotel in Birmingham, Alabama. It’s the first acquisition for Lark Hotels since Amber Asher, who served as CEO of Standard International until June, joined its board of directors. Asher’s experience and forward-thinking vision have played a pivotal role in the company’s ongoing success and its partnership represents a significant milestone for the future development of Lark Hotels as the brand expands its footprint nationally.
Property with History and Character
The Painted Lady is situated in the Eyer-Raden Building, a boarding house from the 19th century in Birmingham’s Automotive Historic District. And this section of the city, which has a strong automotive history, gives the property a little bit more character and charm. The apartment is has been meticulously restored with many original features retained to offer guests a perfect fusion of history and modern luxury.
The property debuted in March and Lark Hotels manages the hotel and The Painted Lady now becomes part of the company’s collection of small properties throughout North America. The move represents a launch for Lark outside of the customers it has already established on the East Coast, in Texas and California and adds the Southeast to its repertoire across the United States.
Amber Asher Vision for Growth
Amber Asher’s addition to Lark Hotels board is a strategic step forward for the company. Asher has a wealth of experience from her tenure as CEO of Standard International, a global boutique hospitality company. In her new position at Lark, she said that she was excited to help drive the company’s next phase of growth. Upon her appointment, she mentioned that she is particularly looking forward to seeing the potential of Lark Hotels continuing to grow their distinctive hotel collection and delivering excellent guest experiences.
Asher’s leadership is sure to be integral to the company’s success going forward. Lark Hotels is famous for their emphasis on boutique hotels with an incredibly unique experience for their guests. The purchase of The Painted Lady was the first of many such one-of-a-kind properties the company hopes to add to its collection.
The Painted Lady’s Unique Concept
Not all hotels are created equally and The Painted Lady is a property with a story and personality that Lark Hotels is excited to both preserve and build upon. The hotel’s name is a nod to the colorfully painted facade of the building as well as a symbol of the building’s historic past. Now a luxurious boutique hotel, the building used to be a boarding house. Lark Hotels CEO Peter Twachtman emphasized the importance of the property, the melding of its history and the many stories it tells, when it came to joining Lark’s collection of hotels.
Addicus Advisors, Selecting Lark for Its Expertise
This creative collaboration between Lark Hotels and Addicus Advisors, which used to own The Painted Lady, was the product of a unified vision. The company was looking for a partner who could realize The Painted Lady with respect for its history, but also deliver an unforgettable experience for guests, according to Drew Adams, chief enterprise architect at Addicus. According to Adams, Lark Hotels was the natural option for its inventive approach as well as superior operations and having the company manage the well-known hotel was a perfect fit.
Lark Hotels Expanding Reach
The Painted Lady is part of a larger pattern of growth for Lark Hotels. The company has increasingly expanded through our years in the United States and we represent all of these in some of the is east coast, Chicago, Texas and California. The company has distinguished itself by being able to find unique and under-the-radar properties that provide guests with something altogether different from the usual hotel experience.
The company said the emphasis of Lark Hotels on boutique hotels is central to its strategy for further expansion. Through providing guests with unique, immersive experiences native to the culture and history of the destination, Lark has established itself as one of the fastest growing hotel management companies in the industry.
Outlook, More Growth on The Horizon
Under Amber Asher’s guidance, Lark Hotels is well positioned for further growth as a leader in the boutique hotel segment. With Asher’s strong strategy in play, the company will probably be pushed more in the direction of buying more properties in such prime locations in North America. The Painted Lady is simply a case of Lark diversifying its portfolio of places to stay, which is great news for travelers in search of unique, high-quality experiences.
The brand’s continued commitment to creativity, character and operational excellence will keep Lark Hotels a unique hospitality player. The Painted Lady graces the list as a reminder that Lark isn’t just preserving history, but making memories. As Lark Hotels grows, one can only imagine it will be a draw for travelers in search of something really special.
Resort World Sentosa partners with Marriott to open The Laurus, a luxury hotel at Sentosa Island, Singapore, offering suites, dining, and spa.
The 183 all-suite hotel, ‘The Laurus’ — named after laurel leaves historically used to crown victors and honour achievements — will open by the end of the year.
“Our landmark collaboration with Marriott International to bring the very first The Luxury Collection branded property to Singapore further exemplifies our commitment to redefine luxury guest experiences. The Laurus, a luxury collection resort, embodies the very essence of our ongoing pivot to offer curated destination experiences as part of RWS’ transformational expansion plans,” Tan Hee Teck, Chief Executive Officer, RWS, said.
He said the new hotel will offer guests experience the Singapore’s rich heritage, the captivating beauty of Sentosa’s flora and fauna while experiencing RWS’ hallmark hospitality.
“The Laurus at RWS stands as a shining beacon, heralding a new era of exceptional luxury and hospitality, further cementing RWS’ esteemed status as Asia’s premium lifestyle destination resort,” he said.
According to Marriott International the tie-up is a milestone which reflects its commitment to the evolving luxury landscape of the island city.
“Drawing inspiration from Singapore’s storied past and rich cultural heritage, The Laurus, a Luxury Collection Resort, will celebrate the essence of the city, and we look forward to welcoming global explorers and collectors to experience Singapore’s captivating charm through the lens of our brand,” said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International.
The Laurus offers suites as well as courtyard spaces and a function room spanning across five floors, the company said, adding that the hotel will have a bar, a landscaped outdoor swimming pool and spa and all-day-dining concept restaurant.
Spanning 49 hectares, the hotel is home to world-class attractions like the Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, Dolphin Island and Adventure Cove Waterpark, it said.
Complementing the adventure and adrenaline of its theme parks and attractions are six unique luxury hotels, the premier Resorts World Convention Centre, and a casino.
The integrated resort also offers world-class entertainment from star-studded concerts to immersive exhibitions.
RWS is the first integrated resort to be inducted into the TTG Travel Hall of Fame in 2023 after being named “Best Integrated Resort” for 10 consecutive years at the TTG Travel Awards, which recognises the best of Asia-Pacific’s travel industry.
The Cork-based President of the Irish Hotels Federation has outlined that plans to cut Vat for the hospitality sector would be an important step to support the industry.
The comments from Michael Magner, who also owns the Vienna Woods Hotel in Cork, come following on from an interview on RTÉ Radio 1 with Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke who defended government plans to cut Vat for the hospitality sector.
The current Programme for Government contains a commitment to reduce the Vat rate in the hospitality sector from 13.5% to 9%.
Speaking to , Mr Magner said the proposal would assist vulnerable food led businesses that have faced an uncertain future and rising cost challenges in recent years.
“The commitment from the Minister to stand over the commitment that is in the programme for government towards the reduction of the Vat rate to 9% is welcome.
“It is needed on the basis of the food sector. The cut in Vat hospitality is for food businesses. Therefore it doesn’t apply to hotel accommodation as is our understanding.
“The current government has been formed since the start of this year. With that, we see tourism and hospitality being moved into the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
“We now have a Minister in Peter Burke, who is really supportive of our industry and understands the complexities of the sector.
Mr Magner added that with the right policies and a positive businesses environment, he believes tourism and hospitality can have a positive future ahead.
“The isn’t a case of whereby businesses are trying to profiteer or return what could be seen as super normal profits.
“This is actually about ensuring businesses have a chance of survival and that is what it comes down to.”
A row has broken out over plans to host a reptile market at a Blackpool hotel this summer.
The event at the Norbreck Castle will see people “buy and sell their surplus animals and offspring”, according to the International Herpetological Society (IHS).
But some animal charities have condemned the market as a “gross violation” of reptile welfare and have urged Britannia Hotels to cancel it.
Blackpool Council said its officers would be at the event to make sure it complied with standards, while the IHS said its markets were “fully compliant with UK law”.
The IHS, which was founded in 1969, said it was “committed to the ongoing research and propagation of all reptile, amphibian and chelonian species”.
It added “animal care is paramount” at its events and creatures were “transported and displayed in temporary containers for the animals’ safety during the event only”.
The soceity added that two veterinary professionals were “always present and any concerns are taken extremely seriously”.
Plans for a similar market in Doncaster in 2022 were halted by the town’s council after complaints from some animal charities.
Event controversy
Elaine Toland, director of the Animal Protection Agency, said it “strongly urges Britannia Hotels to cancel this event and refuse to be complicit”.
Laura Walton, campaigns manager at Freedom for Animals, added it “sincerely hoped” the hotel chose not to let the event go ahead.
Charlotte Regan, wildlife campaigns manager at World Animal Protection, said the animals were “not products to be bought and sold at makeshift stalls”.
“These kinds of events are outdated and have no place in modern society.”
The IHS said it found it “deeply upsetting to be constantly under fire” and none of its previous events had been “cancelled, refused or changed venues due to welfare issues or legal contravention by the IHS”.
It said the events had instead been called off because of “adverse publicity”.
Britannia Hotels has been approached for comment.
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