Luxury hotel operator Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is set to go private after majority shareholder Jardine Matheson agreed a deal to acquire full ownership in a transaction valued at $4.2 billion (£3.1 billion).
Jardine Matheson, the Hong Kong-based conglomerate that already controls 88% of the business, will purchase the remaining 12% of shares via its subsidiary Jardine Strategic Ltd. The move will see Mandarin Oriental delisted from the London, Singapore and Bermuda stock exchanges, with completion expected by 28 February 2026.
Jardine Matheson said the decision to take the group private would enable it to “deliver superior, long-term returns” and better support Mandarin Oriental’s expansion plans across Asia and other key global markets. Industry analysts suggest the move could allow the brand greater agility in making major capital commitments and repositioning assets without the scrutiny of public market reporting cycles.
As part of the restructuring, Mandarin Oriental has agreed to sell a portion of its Hong Kong headquarters to Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group and its fintech affiliate Ant Group in a deal worth $925 million (£689 million). The funds are expected to support ongoing development and portfolio optimisation.
Mandarin Oriental currently operates 43 hotels, 12 branded residences and 26 private homes across 27 countries and territories, with a strong presence in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.
In the UK, the group runs two five-star London properties; the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in Knightsbridge, and the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, which opened in 2024
A third London site – Mandarin Oriental Bankside – is scheduled to open in 2028 as part of the Bankside Yards development. It will include 171 hotel rooms and 70 luxury branded residences, reinforcing the group’s commitment to the UK’s high-end hospitality and residential markets.
Analysts say full ownership gives Jardine Matheson greater flexibility to reposition Mandarin Oriental within a luxury hospitality sector increasingly defined by high-spending travellers, branded residence models and Asia-led growth. Going private could also facilitate faster decision-making on refurbishments, new developments and partnerships with major investors.
With global travel demand continuing to rebound and luxury hospitality increasingly linked to property and lifestyle ventures, the buyout signals Jardine Matheson’s confidence in the long-term value of the Mandarin Oriental brand.