After more than four decades in the hospitality sector, US-based Liberty Group has formally exited the hotel business, selling off its entire portfolio of branded properties.
The move reflects a growing trend among mid-sized private investment firms pivoting away from traditional asset-heavy operations in favour of flexible capital deployment through family offices and private equity.
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A legacy built on branded hotel growth
Founded in 1980 by Indian-born entrepreneur Raxit Shah, Liberty Group began as a single-property hotel operator in Florida.
Over the years, it expanded aggressively across the southeastern United States, amassing a portfolio of 57 hotels under major global brands including Hilton, Marriott and IHG.
At its peak, the company operated more than 5,000 rooms, making it one of the largest privately held hospitality firms in the region.
The group’s growth mirrored broader trends in US hotel franchising, where smaller owner-operators leveraged brand affiliations for market access, financing and scale.
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By GlobalDataLiberty became known for acquiring underperforming assets and repositioning them under stable flags, particularly in secondary markets.
Strategic shift towards flexible capital and family office model
The divestment, completed earlier this month, is described by Liberty Group as a deliberate strategic shift.
Now led by CEO Punit Shah, son of the founder, the firm is turning its attention to family office investments with a focus on real estate, private equity, and impact ventures.
In a statement, Shah called the exit “a deeply personal and professional transition,” noting that the sale would free up capital and resources to pursue “more opportunistic, long-term investments.”
The shift also positions the group to move away from the operational intensity and volatility of the hotel sector—issues that were sharply exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Industry analysts say Liberty’s exit fits a broader pattern seen among independent US hotel investors, many of whom have found margins squeezed by rising labour costs, regulatory scrutiny, and brand requirements.
As institutional players and global REITs consolidate the market, smaller groups are exploring exits or transformations into investment platforms.
Economic impact and philanthropic legacy
Liberty’s decades-long involvement in the hospitality industry created thousands of jobs and contributed significantly to local economies in Florida and beyond.
The group’s influence extended into urban development, particularly in cities such as Tampa, Fort Pierce and Cape Coral, where it played a role in revitalising commercial districts through hotel investments.
The Shah family has also built a reputation for philanthropic activity. Its foundation has donated more than $4m to education, healthcare and community development, including a recent $1m gift to Berkeley Preparatory School in Florida.
For international observers, Liberty Group’s transition underscores both the maturity and challenges of the US hotel ownership model, particularly among non-institutional players.
As hospitality markets stabilise post-pandemic, some long-time operators are opting to cash out, reinvest and reposition themselves for a more diversified investment future.
