Choice, Bridge offer financing options for hotel owners

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL is working with Bridge, a digital lending platform, to offer financing options to new and existing owners. Choice hoteliers can request a commercial loan in 10 minutes through a dedicated landing page on the Bridge platform, which streamlines the loan search process.

Aspiring hoteliers, often facing financial challenges due to limited industry exposure, and existing owners seeking refinancing or new loans can access the Bridge platform, the companies said in a joint statement.

"This collaboration is a win-win for Choice and its hotel owners," said Dominic Dragisich, Choice's executive vice president for operations and chief global brand officer. "Helping our hoteliers obtain and optimize financing for their properties is a high priority, and this agreement with Bridge will provide them with access to competitive loan offerings through an easy-to-use online interface."

Choice will promote the Bridge solution to prospective owners, focusing on hoteliers in its Supporting Ownership Access and Representation program, which promotes hotel ownership for historically underrepresented entrepreneurs, the statement said.

Bridge, founded in 2019 and based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is led by Cofounder and CEO Rohit Mathur.

"We're thrilled to partner with Choice Hotels to empower all their developers with streamlined access to capital," Mathur said. "Our proprietary technology not only streamlines the financing process but also provides a comprehensive deal analysis as part of the financing request—insight traditionally reserved for large, established hoteliers."

Bridge streamlines the loan search process by creating digital offering memorandums and using data to generate comprehensive screening materials for lenders, speeding up the financing journey for developers, the statement said. Qualified borrowers can compare rates and terms from more than 100 lenders in Bridge's network.

The lender network offers various financing solutions, including SBA, Conventional, Bridge, CPACE, and CMBS options from banks, private debt lenders, and family offices, the statement said.

Choice recently collaborated with Westgate Resorts to list 21 properties on choicehotels.com, allowing bookings with Choice Privileges points. The hotels will join Choice’s upscale portfolio, including Radisson, Cambria and Ascend.