Four luxury Cotswolds hotels and pub sold in major deal

Minster Mill. <i>(Image: Newsquest)</i>
Minster Mill. (Image: Newsquest)
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Four luxury hotels and a pub in the Cotswolds have been sold in a major deal.

Minster Mill and the Old Swan pub, near Witney, are among the properties being acquired by Hand Picked Hotels from Andrew Brownsword Hotels.

The Oxfordshire properties, which sit in the village of Minster Lovell, will join the Hand Picked Hotels collection alongside Buckland Manor, The Slaughters Country Inn and The Slaughters Manor House.

Together, the four hotel businesses comprise 118 bedrooms across the Cotswolds.

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The Old Swan pub in Oxfordshire. (Image: Newsquest)

They will continue trading under their existing names following completion of the deal, with Hand Picked Hotels saying it will work to ensure a smooth transition for staff, guests, suppliers and local stakeholders.

Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

The acquisition will establish Hand Picked Hotels' first presence in the Cotswolds as the company continues to expand its collection of luxury country house and coastal hotels.

Hand Picked Hotels was founded by Julia Hands and currently has 21 properties across the UK and Channel Islands.

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Buckland Manor. (Image: Tripadvisor)

Mrs Hands said: "The Cotswolds has long been one of Britain's most admired destinations and establishing a presence in the region has been an ambition of ours for some time.

"Our collection has been thoughtfully built over many years and these hotels are a natural fit, combining the heritage, individuality and quality that our guests value and expect.

"Their addition complements our existing portfolio while introducing Hand Picked Hotels to new audiences across the UK and internationally.

"We are proud to become the next custodian of these properties and are committed to preserving what makes them special while investing in their future success."

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The Slaughters Manor House. (Image: Submitted)

The company said its immediate priorities would include supporting staff at the newly acquired hotels and maintaining continuity for guests.

Ignace Bauwens, group director of Hand Picked Hotels Holdings (Guernsey) Limited, said: "We are excited to welcome our new colleagues from these hotels into the Hand Picked family and to support them through the next chapter of their journey.

"Our immediate focus will be ensuring continuity for guests, supporting colleagues and working closely with local partners and communities.

"Over time, we will bring the benefits of Hand Picked Hotels' operational expertise and investment approach while preserving the character and individuality that have made these hotels so successful."

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The Slaughters Country Inn. (Image: Submitted)

John Badley, chief executive officer of Andrew Brownsword Hotels, said: "These hotels have been developed and cared for with great pride over many years, and we are pleased to have reached an agreement that marks the beginning of their next chapter.

"We look forward to working together to ensure a smooth transition for our colleagues, guests and business partners, while the same care, long-term investment and commitment to exceptional hospitality that helped shape these four hotels will continue to guide everything we do, making our hotels very special as we continue to welcome our guests across our portfolio."

Hand Picked Hotels was advised by Deloitte, Michels & Taylor and Withers, while Andrew Brownsword Hotels was advised by Savills and Burgess Salmon.

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