The Hotel Collection, represented jointly by Savills and Rothschild, has sold The Imperial Hotel in Torquay to Christina and Andrew Brownsword CBE DL for an undisclosed sum.  The property will become the third Andrew Brownsword hotel in Devon, following the success of the Gidleigh Park and the Royal Clarence Abode in Exeter.

The hotel dates back to the 1800s and sits within the Torquay Harbour conservation area.  Now a 4-star hotel with 152 bedrooms, it also features a restaurant, two bars, health club and tennis and squash courts as well as nine conference rooms catering for up to 350 delegates.  The new owners will embark on a sympathetic restoration and refurbishment project over the next two to five years.

The sale of the Imperial Hotel is the first of a 10-strong portfolio of regional UK hotels, known as Project Solstice, which Savills and Rothschild are marketing on behalf of The Hotel Collection.  The portfolio also includes: The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate; The Old Ship Hotel, Brighton; The Redworth Hall Hotel, County Durham; The Billesley Manor Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon; The Imperial Hotel, Blackpool; The Shrigley Hall Hotel, Golf and Country Club, Macclesfield; The Stirling Highland Hotel, Stirling; The Aberdeen Altens Hotel, Aberdeen and The Angel Hotel, Cardiff.

Martin Rogers, head of UK hotel transactions at Savills, comments: “We are very pleased to confirm that Christina and Andrew Brownsword have purchased the Imperial Hotel in Torquay.  This is a particular milestone as it marks the first sale within the high profile Project Solstice portfolio, and we look forward to announcing further deals in due course.”