Gravity Capital replaces VZB in Grand Metropolitan Hotels joint venture

The ownership shift occurred following Gravity Capital’s acquisition of Kingstone Capital’s UAE subsidiary, which held the controlling interest in the Dutch-based hotel platform. Alongside the exit of the Berlin-based dental pension fund, the company has undergone a rebranding; it will now operate as Gravity Hospitality Holding, losing its rights to the Grand Metropolitan name. The directors and supervisory board members associated with the prior structure also resigned their posts effective June 30.

Martin R. Smura, founder and chairman of the Grand Metropolitan Hotels Group, described the split as a necessary step after internal disagreements rendered the partnership unworkable. The group had faced a series of failed negotiations regarding capital increases and reciprocal share acquisitions, which ultimately stalled corporate decision-making. Despite the change in the venture’s ownership, Kingstone Capital AG Switzerland remains a strategic investor in the broader Grand Metropolitan Hotels Group, supporting its ongoing international expansion. The group now plans to pivot toward an independent growth strategy, focusing on its asset-light business model and pending acquisitions in the hotel affiliation sector, with further announcements expected in September 2026.