Property consultancy firm Knight Frank has sold Luton Hoo Hotel Golf and Spa on behalf of Elite Hotels to The Arora Group.

The 228-room five-star hotel is set within 1,000 acres of parks and gardens and includes a Grade I listed house, conference venue, an 18th-century country club and a golf course designed by Sir Robert Adam. The estate also includes three restaurants, 23 function rooms, a spa, gym and indoor pool, minutes away from the M1, 32 miles from central London.

Its history includes a visit by Sir Winston Churchill during the Second World War, and a 1952 exhibit of Sir Julian’s art collection, which included several items of the Fabergé collection.

Originally an airport hotel firm, Arora Group opened their first city centre hotel in 2017- the InterContinental London at The O2, and recently opened Fairmont Windsor Park. This most recent transaction continues the diversification of their portfolio and hopes the estate will appeal to both domestic and international markets.

Henry Jackson, Partner, head of hotel agency at Knight Frank said “The Knight Frank Hotels team is delighted to have concluded the sale of Luton Hoo Hotel & Spa on behalf of Elite Hotels. We received multiple offers for this very special hotel from a variety of different types of purchasers. Surinder and his team will make excellent custodians of this truly exceptional asset and will build upon the success achieved by Elite Hotels. This sale demonstrates the confidence in the UK hotel market, and we expect this to continue in 2022.”

Graeme Bateman, managing director of Elite Hotels said “Naturally, we are sad to be parting company with Luton Hoo Hotel, but we do so in the knowledge that we have passed the custodianship of this wonderful property into safe hands.  We wish Surinder Arora and his team every success as they move Luton Hoo Hotel into a new era.  May I also take this opportunity to express my huge gratitude to Matthew Long, General Manager, and all his colleagues at Luton Hoo Hotel, for their considerable personal commitment over the past 14-plus years.  We will miss them greatly within the Elite family but are sure that they will continue to thrive and prosper under the new ownership. 

As a company, Elite Hotels remains fully committed to ensuring an even brighter future for Ashdown Park Hotel, Tylney Hall Hotel and The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne.  Details of our exciting plans will be announced in due course.”

Surinder Arora, CEO and chairman of the Arora Group said “Our acquisition of Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa continues to support our strategy to diversify our hotel portfolio and we are excited to build on the already significant investment and development by Elite Hotels since their purchase of the estate in 1999. We are excited to welcome the Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa team to the Arora Group and are looking forward to the opportunities ahead for our expanded family.”

Arora Group bought the estate for an undisclosed price.

Image source- Arora Group

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