ARLINGTON, VA-Interstate Hotels & Resorts will be managing an eight-hotel portfolio owned by an affiliate of Investcorp International. The properties are located throughout the US—a departure from the REIT’s recent push to focus on its expanding global footprint. This portfolio consists of 2,096 rooms, including one Hilton, five DoubleTree by Hilton hotels, one Marriott and one Sheraton.

Most of the new assets under management are located in markets where Interstate already has a strong presence and extensive market experience, says Leslie Ng, Interstate’s chief investment officer. The deal will create economies of scale that will benefit each property’s bottom line, he adds in a prepared statement. “We look forward to building on our relationship with Investcorp and for further opportunities to work with them.”

The REIT has been rapidly building out a global footprint, although clearly the US market is still a focus as well, based on the steady supply of deals inked in recent months. However, the REIT has been taking pains to emphasize the global nature of its business operations, launching a rebranding initiative earlier this year.

Some recent international deals of note include an agreement to manage the 396-room Jiaxing Jin Jiang Xiang Jiadang Lake Hotel--its 10th managed or signed hotel in China—which is anticipated to open in 2013. It is also pushing forward in India, announcing in spring the management transition of The Turtle on the Beach and Estuary Island Resort, both owned by Thomas Hotels and Resorts.