So I hear the infamous war chest of Von Essen will be a lit lighter soon if a rumour that the hotel company is to buy the well regarded Cotswold House hotel in Chipping Campden... The hotel, which was a double Catey winner two years ago, was also recognised in Michelin's latest ratings for restaurants, which tipped the hotel's restaurant to garner one Michelin star in the near future.
I remember picking up a similar rumour about Von Essen buying Ynyshir Hall in Wales a few years ago.... the lady who used to own the hotel rang and protested how wrong this was and that the phone calls asking whether she was selling had made her break down in tears. I apologised and felt genuinely sorry if a mistake had been made, but later was proved right when Von Essen bought the hotel.... so no smoke without fire then!
UPDATE on post - 30/01/2007 11am
Ian Taylor, proprietor of Cotswold House in Chipping Campden, contacted me this morning to clarify the rumour that Von Essen are interested in his award -winning property.
"It's is absolutely not for sale at the moment," he added. "And if it was I would put it on the market first."
He did add that its sister property in Chipping Campden, the Noel Arms, might well come back onto the market pending a planning permission decision.
Leave a comment
What a user pic? Get a Gravatar!