Global property advisers Knight Frank and Colliers have completed the sale of Stanton House Hotel, a scenic Cotswold stone manor house in Wiltshire, on behalf of a Japanese automotive manufacturer, selling off a guide price of £4.95m.
The 78-bedroom country hotel is set amongst 11 acres of landscaped gardens which include a lake, orchard and rose garden. Having been in the same ownership for over 30 years, the hotel has proved popular with leisure trade as well as business travellers visiting the region. Located in the picturesque village of Stanton Fitzwarren on the edge of the Cotswolds, the hotel is only a 10-minute drive from the M4, providing excellent transport links to Bristol, Reading and Heathrow Airport.
The main manor building was re-constructed in the 1930s and is linked to the 1990s bedroom block extension by a glazed, two-storey section. The hotel has fully equipped lounge and bar areas on the first floor and in the Conservatory, which leads onto the garden. The manor house has three function rooms boasting original features, in addition to a modern main function room with room for up to 110 guests, which is suitable for weddings and conferences.
Matthew Smith, Partner in the Hotels team at Knight Frank, commented: “We are thrilled to have completed the sale of Stanton House Hotel, with both buyer and seller pleased with a successful outcome. This is the second hotel we have sold to John Mulchandani, having purchased The Holiday Inn Sittingbourne in Kent through Knight Frank in 2019. Meridian Hotels have been appointed to operate the hotel and under their management along with the future investment plans for Stanton House Hotel the business will no doubt be a huge success. Despite the ongoing lockdown restrictions interest in Stanton House was strong given its proximity to the Cotswolds, making it an ideal asset for the burgeoning staycation sector.”
Peter Brunt, Director of Hotel Agency at Colliers, commented: “Stanton House’s combination of seclusion and accessibility make it a valuable leisure investment. The hotel also presents an excellent opportunity for hosting large events thanks to its numerous function rooms and manicured gardens. It is an exciting asset, with significant potential for development, either through expansion of its current accommodation and facilities or through residential development, subject to planning permission. The sale is further evidence of the strong demand for hotels in and close to popular tourist destinations that we are finding at Colliers.”
Paul Evans, Operations Director Meridian Hotels, commented: “Stanton House Hotel is a charming property with its unique character, beauty and elegance. We are very pleased with this acquisition and will continue with the ‘Stanton House Hotel’ name and its current use as a hotel. SHH offers both connectivity with all things modern, whilst providing guests with everything one expects from beautiful English countryside. The views are absolutely breath-taking, the atmosphere serene, and service offered by an English countryside hotel at its best. The property needs substantial investment and an estimated £2 million has been set aside to bring the business and property back to its former glory, with a complete makeover carried out with sensitivity and care. We look forward to working with the current team at the hotel and welcoming our future guests.”
