New boutique hotel from the Vineyard Group to open in Bath
The Vineyard Group is to oversee the development and management of a new 40-bedroom hotel in Bath.
Previously known as the Carfax hotel, the property is currently closed and will re-open as a high-end, boutique hotel in the late summer of 2015 following an extensive refurbishment.
The hotel, which was formerly owned and run by the Salvation Army, has been acquired by an Italian-based property company, Geco Spa, off a guide price of £3.25m. Yet to be named, the hotel will occupy three Grade-II, Georgian town houses on Great Pulteney Street, originally built by architect Thomas Baldwin
Andrew McKenzie (pictured), managing director of the Vineyard Group and 2008 Hotelier of the Year, which owns the Vineyard and Donnington Valley hotels in Berkshire, said the new owners intend the Bath project to be the first in a group of several city-centre hotels.
"This fantastic property will become a real standout addition to the Bath hotel landscape," he said.
"We are currently considering a unique food offer for Bath for the restaurant which will enjoy a separate identity from the hotel. It will, of course, feature a stand-out wine list."
As well as owning the Vineyard and Donnington Valley hotels in Berkshire and a Californian wine business, the Vineyard Group currently also manages three hotels: the Barns hotel, Bedford; Brownsover Hall, Rugby; and the King's Head, Circencester, which is due to open in July following a major redevelopment.