FARGO, N.D. (November 4, 2026) Aligned Capital, the hospitality investment platform of National Hospitality Services (NHS) announced today that it has acquired the Legend Hotel Minot (formerly the Sonesta Essential Minot), a 102-room select-service hotel at 3420 South Broadway in Minot, North Dakota. The transaction closed on October 29, 2026, and marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the property. Award-winning hospitality management and development company Hotel Equities will oversee hotel operations and provide development services throughout the renovation.

Aligned Capital will begin a comprehensive renovation of the guest rooms, public spaces and building systems, setting the stage for the hotel's conversion to a Fairfield by Marriott in 2027. The hotel will remain open during the renovation work so guests can continue to stay while the transformation takes shape. Once the conversion is complete, guests will be able to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points and book through Marriott's reservation network.

“We already know Minot well, and we are thrilled to add this hotel to the Aligned Capital portfolio,” said Norman Leslie, Chief Executive Officer of Aligned Capital. “It’s a well-built, well-located property, and bringing the Fairfield by Marriott brand to South Broadway is an exciting next step for the hotel and for the city.”

“Today is a great day for our team,” said Sarah Koustrup, President of Aligned Capital. “We’re especially pleased to once again partner with Hotel Equities as the hotel management company. We have a proven track record together, and our focus from day one will be on the guests who stay with us and the employees who make this hotel what it is.”

Updates on the renovation and the hotel's debut as a Fairfield by Marriott in 2027 will follow.

About Aligned Capital

Aligned Capital™ is the hospitality investment platform of National Hospitality Services (NHS), based in Fargo, North Dakota. Aligned Capital acquires hotels and partners with hotel owners who need capital, operational expertise, or both, investing its own capital alongside its partners in acquisitions, joint ventures, brand conversions and repositioning projects. Each investment pairs institutional hotel operations with owner-side asset management. Founded in 1996, NHS serves more than 40 hotels across the United States. For more information, visit www.nhshotels.com/aligned-capital.

About Hotel Equities

Hotel Equities (HE) is a best-in-class hospitality operator and developer with a portfolio of both branded and independent hotels, resorts, and outdoor hospitality destinations throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Led by Chief Executive Officer Ben Rafter, a technology entrepreneur with extensive experience scaling hotel platforms, the company manages a diverse portfolio with three specialized verticals: the Destination Collection, Essential Group, and Lifestyle Division, representing a balance of premium-branded and independent properties. Complementing these divisions is HE Labs™, the company's dedicated innovation and incubation division. Hotel Equities delivers proven results and drives bottom-line growth and asset value for its stakeholders and owners through a comprehensive suite of services (including revenue management, sales, food and beverage, and talentdevelopment), a people-first and performance-driven culture, and a commitment to excellence. To learn more, visit hotelequities.com, @Hotel-Equities.