Jersey's Longueville Manor sold to son of founder

Longueville Manor, Jersey's only five-AA-red-star hotel, has passed hands from father to son as the property prepares to undergo a period of major investment and re-development.

The 28-bedroom hotel was sold by Neal Lewis, who founded the hotel with his wife Barbara in 1948, to NB Holdings, a new company owned by his son and long-established chairman of the property, Malcolm Lewis.

Located in a 14th century manor house, within 16 acres of grounds close to St Helier, Longueville will see the addition of 10 luxury suites by the end of 2015. In the meantime, many of its existing bedrooms will be refurbished, the ground floor re-styled and new leisure facilities added.

Malcolm Lewis said that now was the right time to make the official transfer in ownership of the hotel. "Signs are hopeful for a healthy recovery in tourism both locally and worldwide, therefore it is important that Longueville Manor prepares itself so that it can continue to make a significant contribution to both Jersey tourism and the economy as a whole," he explained.

He went on to pay tribute to his parents, whose aim was to make Longueville the best hotel in Jersey. "Today, Longueville Manor is the most highly rated hotel in the Channel Islands. My wife Patricia and I value our family history and realise its significant relevance. With their wealth of experience, we still value my parent's wisdom and advice and we are of course hopeful that their legacy will remain within the family for many years to come."

Longueville Manor is the only member of the Relais & Châteaux consortium in the Channel Islands.