Longleat buys former Von Essen hotel Bishopstrow House
Longleat - the safari and adventure park in Wiltshire - has become a hotel owner with the purchase of the former Von Essen property, Bishopstrow House, off a guide price of £6m.
The 31-bedroom hotel has been acquired by Longleat Enterprises, which operates the safari park and adventure park as well as Longleat House, the home of the flamboyant 7th Marquess of Bath, Alexander Thynn.
Longleat is expected to spend £1m on the property over the next six months.
With the hotel just 10 minutes from the safari park, the new owners will benefit from having accommodation on their doorstep available for events and joint marketing activities.
Bishopstrow is the sixth hotel to be sold following the collapse of Von Essen into administration with debts of more than £250m in April.
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.
Von Essen falls into administration >>
Cliveden tops the price tag on Von Essen hotels >>
Andrew Brownsword snaps up four Von Essen hotels >>
The Samling is latest Von Essen hotel to be sold >>
By Janet Harmer
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