Ex-Royal Crescent manager buys Cotswolds hotel

Former hotel manager of Bath's Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa Simon Austin has teamed up with James and Corinna Rae to buy Burleigh Court hotel in Gloucestershire.

The trio acquired the freehold of the 18-bedroom, three-AA-star property, which was put on the market for £1.6m last year, through their company Moonflight. The property had been under the ownership of the Noble family for 15 years.

All three are first-time hotel owners. Austin left his position at the Royal Crescent to pursue the purchase of the Georgian Grade II-listed manor house and will oversee operations, while the Raes formerly worked as management consultants in London.

They intend to rebrand the hotel and give it a "gradual makeover", as well as introduce new experiences such as outside lounging and barbecues, wood-fired dining, in-room massages and casual pre-dinner receptions, where guests can mingle over complimentary drinks.

The property's restaurant already holds two AA rosettes and is set to focus more on regional, seasonal and sustainable produce, including from a planned kitchen garden. The restaurant is said to have "great potential for significant revenue increase".

Austin said: "The three of us share a great passion for hospitality and knowledge of what good hosting looks and feels like. At Burleigh Court we now have the opportunity to create a place of intimate hospitality that will be truly special."

James and Corinna added: "We do not want to re-invent Burleigh Court, but build on the good that is already here."

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