Former Birch Cheshunt hotel sold for £12.5m

The former Birch Cheshunt hotel has been sold to boutique brand Surya Hotels off a guide price of £12.5m.

Knight Frank was appointed to sell the Hertfordshire estate after it fell into administration in 2023.

Surya, which runs 11 boutique hotels in the east of England, intends to refurbish the hotel under its own branding.

Theobolds Park Estate, which previously operated under the DeVere and Birch brands, includes 55 acres of grounds, 140 bedrooms, two restaurants and a bar.

Over £8m has been invested into the estate since 2020 when it opened as the Birch Cheshunt with two restaurants overseen by chef Robin Gill.

But the hotel closed along with its sister property, Birch Selsdon in south Croydon, with administrators blaming the collapse on “cash constraints”.

Henry Jackson, partner at Knight Frank, said: “We received strong interest and more than ten credible offers for Theobalds Park Estate and are delighted to complete the transaction with Surya. Its strategic location and amenities mark it out as a premium asset that can be enhanced further through refurbishment and Surya’s expert management.”

Sukhi Dulai at Surya Hotels said: “Theobalds Park Estate is an excellent asset which will bolster our existing portfolio with its impressive facilities, historical features and great connectivity.

“We look forward to the opportunity to refurbish the property under our own branding and operations, transforming it into a hotel welcoming both leisure and corporate visitors.”

Birch Cheshunt was originally overseen by Chris Penn, former managing director of the Ace Hotel London, and entrepreneur Chris King, both of whom left the business in 2022.

The administration of the Birch Selsdon has been extended by a further year while a buyer was sought for the property.