Bournemouth: Trio of hotels sold to Qatari group

An un-named Qatari company has bought a portfolio of three hotels in Bournemouth off a guide price of £16 million.

The properties: the 114-bedroom Suncliff, the 107-bedroom Cumberland and the 62-bedroom Cliffeside, were sold by Brian Shone and Terence Taylor of Oceana Hotels.

A fourth property within the group, Hotel Gleneagles in Torquay, which was the inspiration for BBC TV’s iconic sitcom Fawlty Towers, is currently closed after plans to turn it into a retirement home were rejected by the local council.

Located on East Overcliff Drive overlooking the sea, all three hotels have a three-AA-star rating. The Cumberland hotel, built in 1937, is particularly noted for its Art Deco design.

Savills acted jointly with Christie + Co on behalf of the previous owners.

Head of hotels at Savills, Martin Rogers, commented: “These prime hotels offer multiple revenue streams and appeal to a wide range of guests including corporate, private leisure and group tours.

“The portfolio generated significant interest and we are pleased with the sale price which emphasises the strength of the hotel market in the regions.”