Arora Group continues portfolio diversification with Luton Hoo acquisition

Luxury hotel chain Elite Hotels has announced the sale of its Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa property in Bedfordshire, UK for an undisclosed sum to the Arora Group. 

The sale, which will see all existing staff retain their positions at the hotel, comes after the Arora Group – previously an airport hotel owner and operator – expanded into the city hotel and country house hotel and spa markets with the opening of the InterContinental London – The O2 in 2017 and the development of the upcoming Fairmont Windsor Park property. 

According to a statement from the Arora Group, the purchase of the Luton Hoo not only continues the brand’s portfolio diversification but the hotel itself is well placed to “capture significant pent-up demand” from leisure and corporate travel from both domestic and international markets. 

Surinder Arora, CEO and chairman of the Arora Group, said: “Our acquisition of Luton Hoo continues to support our strategy to diversify our hotel portfolio and we’re excited to build on the significant investment and development by Elite Hotels since their purchase of the estate in 1999.

“We’re excited to welcome the Luton Hoo to the Arora Group and are looking forward to the opportunities ahead for our expanded family.”

For Elite Hotels, the sale of the Luton Hoo will allow the group to carry out a ‘robust refurbishment’ on its three remaining properties; the 106-bedroom Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club in East Sussex, the 152-bedroom The Grand Hotel, known as The White Palace to locals, in Eastbourne, and the 112-bedroom Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens in Hampshire. 

Graeme Bateman, managing director at Elite Hotels, said: “Naturally, we are sad to be parting company with Luton Hoo Hotel, but we do so in the knowledge that we have passed the custodianship of this wonderful property into safe hands.” 

“As a company, Elite Hotels remains fully committed to ensuring a bright future for Ashdown Park Hotel, Tylney Hall Hotel and The Grand Hotel,” Bateman added.