Calgary-based real estate company PBA Group is expanding its hotel portfolio with the acquisition of three Alberta hotel properties as it moves to a fully owned-and-operated model for the first time. 

PBA said the newly-acquired properties, formerly Days Inn Calgary Airport, Days Inn Red Deer, and Home Inn Express Medicine Hat, will join the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) portfolio immediately under a white-label name, with bookings available through IHG platforms. 

Following renovations, the hotels will transition to Garner by IHG, a rapidly growing midscale brand, marking the first Garner-branded properties in Canada, it said.

Patricia Phillips, CEO of PBA Group, told RENX this marks the first time the company brings hotel operations and staff fully in-house.

The company’s portfolio in Calgary’s hospitality sector also includes The Dorian Autograph Collection, Courtyard by Marriott and Element by Westin Downtown Calgary. 

New operating model for PBA's hotels

“This shift is really about alignment and long-term value creation. As PBA Group has grown, we’ve reached a point where owning and operating our hospitality assets directly allows us to ensure a much tighter connection between vision, guest experience, and operational execution,” Phillips wrote in an email interview.

“We’ve always believed in being close to the assets we invest in, and moving to a fully owned-and-operated model strengthens our ability to protect quality, respond quickly to market needs, and build enduring asset value over time.”

She said the newly-acquired portfolio includes three midscale hotel assets, each with approximately 70 rooms and built in the early 2000s. They are well-established properties located in strong Southern Alberta markets, with close proximity to major highways, retail and shopping amenities, and key regional economic drivers, Phillips added.

The hotels were previously owned and operated by D3H Hotels Inc.

“Each property will be repositioned under the Garner Hotels brand in partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts. We are undertaking a meaningful renovation program across all three, with guests able to expect refreshed rooms, upgraded furnishings, improved common areas, and enhanced in-room technology,” she wrote.

“At roughly 70 keys each, these assets strike the right balance, large enough for operational efficiency under a global brand, while still allowing us to maintain a hands-on, owner-operator approach through PBA Group of Companies.”

Strategic fit for IHG, Garner

Phillips said PBA saw a strong strategic fit with IHG Hotels & Resorts and the Garner Hotels brand specifically because it brings a clear, modern identity to the midscale segment, one that is both efficient for operations and appealing to today’s value-conscious traveler.

“For us, Garner positions these properties competitively within Canada’s and Southern Alberta's evolving midscale landscape by combining consistency, reliability, and a refreshed guest experience. It’s a brand that allows us to elevate performance while keeping the fundamentals strong like comfort, cleanliness, and service,” she explained.

Phillips said PBA is making a meaningful, phased capital investment across the portfolio with the scope significant enough to materially elevate both the physical product and the guest experience.

“Guests can expect refreshed interiors, upgraded bedding and furnishings, improved common areas, enhanced technology integration, and a more intuitive, comfortable arrival-to-departure experience. The goal is not cosmetic change alone, it’s about improving functionality, flow, and overall guest satisfaction,” she said.

“The transition to in-house operations is always complex, particularly at scale. The main challenges typically include system integration, talent alignment, and ensuring continuity of service during transition periods.

“We are approaching this with a disciplined rollout plan, strong operational leadership, and a focus on retaining and empowering experienced on-property teams. We’re also investing in training, systems, and brand alignment to ensure that service standards are not just maintained, but improved over time. Our philosophy is that transitions like this should feel seamless to guests, even while significant work is happening behind the scenes.”

Hotels to remain open during upgrades

The three properties will remain open and operational throughout the transition period under the Prairie Crest Hotels banner, with rebranding to Garner Hotels expected in early 2027.

PBA describes itself as a “women-owned and led organization” in business for more than 60 years.  Its jewel property is The Dorian which was unveiled in 2021 -  a $125-million, 27-storey landmark in downtown Calgary that unites Marriott's Autograph Collection and Courtyard brands under one roof. 

Phillips said the latest acquisition is a natural extension of the company’s long-term strategy: disciplined growth through high-quality, income-producing real estate with strong operating fundamentals. 

“Hospitality is a sector where we see continued opportunity, particularly in midscale assets that can be repositioned through thoughtful investment and strong brand alignment,” she said.

“We are absolutely open to further expansion in Canada’s hospitality sector, but always selectively. Our focus remains on markets and assets where we can create measurable long-term value and maintain operational excellence.”