Hotelier Hammons finds new buyer

The third time looks to be the charm for John Q. Hammons. And this time the Missouri-based hotel magnate has the government of Singapore on his side.

Hammons, whose company John Q. Hammons Hotels Inc. (AMEX: JQH) owns and operates the University Park Hilton Hotel in Fort Collins, recently canceled a proposed $102.7 million deal to sell the hotel chain to Barcelo Crestline Corp.

Instead, Hammons is in talks with an investment group operating as JQH Acquisition LLC — which includes the investment arm for the government of Singapore — to purchase the chain for $117.36 million.

In December, Hammons…