The De Vere Grand Harbour hotel in Southampton, located on the waterfront, has been sold to an unnamed private buyer who now intends to carry out a multi-million-pound renovation on the four-star, 173-bedroom property.
The De Vere Group disposed of the property last year, in the latest step in the company’s strategy to sell its non-core hotels and concentrate on the development of its golf resort properties. Something they are already vastly expanding on this year.
Last year the group sold three hotels: the 140-bedroom Royal Bath in Bournemouth and the 192-bedroom De Vere Daresbury Park in Warrington, to Britannia Hotels for around £20m, and the 119-bedroom University Arms, Cambridge, to real estate investor Melford Capital Partners.
The new buyer will operate the hotel under the Grand Harbour name, whilst considering whether to re-brand the property.
Originally opened in 1994, the Grand Harbour offers the largest hotel conference facilities in Southampton with a capacity for up to 500 guests in its largest room. It has two restaurants: Number 5 and Allertons, a bar, swimming pool, spa and leisure centre.