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UK: The Hempel in west London is closing for refurbishment on December 20 and is set for a change of ownership.
Launched in 1997 by designer Anouska Hempel, the property was sold to O&H Properties in 2003, then acquired by a consortium of private Irish investors in 2005 for around £16.5 million. It is not known at this stage who the new owners will be, or what plans they have for the hotel’s staff.
General manager Gareth Banner said the sale “had been agreed in principal”, but sales and marketing director Sabine Kern told Boutique Hotel News no further information is currently available regarding the deal.
The 44-bedroom Hempel was a pioneer of both the boutique hotel sector and minimalist design. Its online reservations calendar is currently showing no availability throughout 2013.
www.the-hempel.co.uk
