A collection of arguably the best country house hotels has been assembled by a privately owned group that has the corporate market firmly in its sights. Mike Toynbee reports What makes a hotel special? Its location? Service levels? Or perhaps the ability to exceed expectation? In the case of the UK-based von Essen Group, which over the past decade has quietly built up a collection of some of the finest country house hotels to be found anywhere, it is all three. Stunning locations, for example, from Edinburgh to Cornwall, and from the Lake District to historic Bath. In total, there are 25 hotels, including the latest acquisition – Hunstrete House, just outside Bath – and the group's first venture overseas, Château de Bagnols, near Lyon, in France. An exceptionally high service standard and the overall desire by each general manager and their respective teams to exceed customer expectations is also part of the von Essen philosophy. “Guest recognition is a key factor contributing to our ongoing success, demonstrated by an impressive 30% level of repeat customers from both the business and leisure markets,” says Greg Ward, the group's executive director of sales and marketing.
In recognition of increasing customer expectation, von Essen Hotels has accelerated its overall reinvestment across the collection with a programme to reach in excess of £50 million. “At the same time, we have been embracing an evolving market with the introduction of online connectivity, currently one of our fastest growing requirements,” says Ward. “We have also been focusing on the conference sector, targeting those customers who are looking to come away from the normal purpose-built experience to a venue with history, fascinating architecture, and stunning surroundings. We can provide a secure environment with high levels of service, backed up by all the technologies one would normally expect from a city hotel.” This makes many of the von Essen properties an ideal choice for smaller meetings or for incentive groups, where only the best will do. At Cliveden, for example, the impressive former home of the Astors at Taplow, in Berkshire, every indulgence is available, including Champagne river cruises on exquisitely restored, vintage launches. For entertaining clients or top-performing staff, there can be few experiences on a fine summer's evening to match a voyage down the Thames. Furthermore, both Cliveden and Sharrow Bay, in the Lake District, have each been re-awarded Michelin stars. The group, whose interests now include Premi-Air, which operates a fleet of helicopters and executive jets, has its sights set firmly on the corporate market. Rolls-Royces and Bentleys are all part of the service. The company is wholly owned by founder and chairman Andrew Davis, whose vision has been to create the best single privately owned collection of country house hotels, initially within the UK, to be followed by further expansion into Europe, across France and Italy. Says Davis: “The past few months have seen von Essen’s first step into London and the start of our drive into Europe.We have also expanded our luxury aviation business. “Last month's acquisition of Hunstrete House is a reminder that our primary passion is for great British houses, beautiful landscapes and fine art, so ensuring their joys are conserved for the delight of our guests and the benefit of future generations.” Where to find von Essen Hotels
The Classic Set: Cliveden, Berkshire; The Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath; Ston Easton Park, near Bath; Thornbury Castle, near Bristol; Sharrow Bay, in the Lake District; Buckland Manor, Broadway in the Cotswolds; and Ynyshir Hall, Wales
The Country Set: Bishopstrow House, Warminster; Congham Hall, Norfolk; New Park Manor in the New Forest, Lewtrenchard Manor, Devon; The Mount Somerset, Taunton; Lower Slaughter Manor and Washbourne Court, Lower Slaughter in the Cotswolds; Dalhousie Castle, Bonnyrigg near Edinburgh; The Greenway, Cheltenham; and Homewood Park and Hunstrete House, both near Bath
The Family Set: Woolley Grange, Wiltshire; Fowey Hall, Cornwall; Moonfleet Manor, Dorset; The Elms, near Worcester; and Ickworth Hall, Suffolk
The Continental Set: Château de Bagnols near Lyon in France
Coming soon: a 70-room riverside, boutique hotel adjacent to London's Battersea heliport
Website: www.vonessenhotels.co.uk
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