After the Von Essen Group collapsed last year, its hotels throughout the UK were snapped up by other groups or by individuals. Luxury Travel Advisor just learned that Ian and Richard Livingstone, the billionaire property developer brothers who run the London & Regional company, have reportedly purchased the Cliveden House Hotel from the Group for around $47 million. The brothers also manage Chewton Glen, a country hotel in Hampshire.
Cliveden, a 300-year-old, 41-room country house, is set in the middle of the Berkshire countryside, surrounded by 376 acres of formal gardens and parkland with panoramic views over the River Thames. It is close to both London and Heathrow Airport.
Guests have included every British monarch since George I as well as Charlie Chaplin, Winston Churchill, Harold Macmillan, President Roosevelt, George Bernard Shaw, John Profumo and Christine Keeler.
Chewton Glen is located in New Milton, New Forest, Hampshire, England. Cliveden is located in Taplow, Berkshire, England. Visit www.clivedenhouse.co.uk and www.chewtonglen.com.
Stay tuned for more information about the deal and what it will mean for the luxury country hotel scene in England...