Brownsword Hotels has announces the grouping of their country house properties under the brand name The Gidleigh Collection.
Encompassing Gidleigh Park, The Bath Priory, Amberley Castle, Lower Slaughter Manor and Buckland Manor – all members of Relais & Châteaux – and The Slaughters Country Inn, The Gidleigh Collection represents the ultimate in country house escapes, set in beautiful gardens and offering outstanding food and exceptional service.
Brownsword Hotels is establishing itself as one of the finest collections of privately owned hotels in the UK. Comprising twelve properties across the UK in country and city locations, Brownsword Hotels is owned by husband and wife, Andrew and Christina Brownsword.
Nick Halliday, CEO, Brownsword Hotels explains:
“The purchase of Amberley Castle, Lower Slaughter Manor, The Slaughters Country Inn and Buckland Manor in 2011 prompted the alignment of the hotel collection under the wider umbrella of Brownsword Hotels. There was a natural grouping amongst the portfolio which offered us the opportunity to brand the country properties as The Gidleigh Collection with the city properties continuing as ABode.
“We want The Gidleigh Collection to be synonymous with a luxury country house experience offering great food and wine, and superb service. We want guests to feel safe in the knowledge that when staying in a hotel part of The Gidleigh Collection they can expect the very best experience.”
The company began with the purchase of The Bath Priory in 1994 with the next stage in the hotel group’s development inspired by a chance meeting between Andrew Brownsword and acclaimed chef Michael Caines MBE. A serendipitous meeting over lunch at the Royal Clarence was the catalyst for the creation of ABode Hotels.
Opportunity for further expansion came in 2006. The family purchased a second much loved property, Gidleigh Park, Devon, home to Michael Caines’ two Michelin star restaurant, with which they had long been associated. They closed the property for extensive refurbishment, re-opening in 2008 to great acclaim and a succession of impressive awards. The chance for substantial growth arose in 2011 when Andrew and Christina purchased a further four properties to add to the luxury portfolio, in turn triggering the formation of Brownsword Hotels.
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