Longleat Enterprises buys Von Essen's Homewood Park hotel and spa

04 November 2011 by
Longleat Enterprises buys Von Essen's Homewood Park hotel and spa


The 21-bedroom Homewood Park Hotel and Spa in Bath has become the second Von Essen property to be acquired by theme park owner, Longleat Enterprises, off a guide price of £3.5m.

Last week the company, which operates Longleat safari and adventure park as well as Longleat House, purchased the 31-bedroom Bishopstrow House, which had been marketed for £6m. Longleat House is the home of the flamboyant 7th Marquess of Bath, Alexander Thynn.

The 52 bedrooms now owned by Longleat Enterprises close to the safari park will open up opportunities for events and joint marketing activities. Longleat attracts around one million visitors a year.

Homewood Park is the eighth hotel to be sold following the collapse of Von Essen into administration with debts of more than £250m in April. Its Lime Restaurant has been voted Country Restaurant of the Year in the Good Food Guide.

David Bradley, chief executive of Longleat said: "Homewood Park further compliments our position as a leading leisure attraction venue and provides our visitors with a second beautiful hotel location and facilities to make their visit to Longleat even more special."

Speaking about Bishopstrow, which has a new health spa with both a heated outdoor and indoor swimming pool as well as an indoor and outdoor tennis court, Bradley added that Bishopstrow would complement its Christmas offer as well as enhancing Longleat's offer. The company is expected to spend £1m at Bishopstrow over the next six months, and a substantial sum at Homewood Park.

The sale of the remainder of the original Von Essen portfolio of 27 hotels in the UK and France are nearing completion, with imminent announcements regarding new owners expected.

Longleat buys former Von Essen hotel Bishopstrow House >>

Von Essen hotels on the market >>

Von Essen falls into administration >>

By Janet Harmer

E-mail your comments to Janet Harmer here.

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