Von Essen Buys Seaham

VON Essen Hotels has bought Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa and The Samling hotel from owner Tom Maxfield for an undisclosed sum.

Seaham Hall in County Durham, was purchased by Maxfield in 1997 and transformed from a derelict building into the North East’s only five star hotel.

It also boasts the only Michelin starred restaurant in the region, and the award winning destination spa.

The Samling, is a luxury, boutique hotel on Lake Windermere in the Lake District.

Maxfield said of the sale; “After 11 years, Jocelyn and I have achieved everything we set out to. We wanted to create a hotel that would compete with the best that London has to offer and we wanted to create a spa that would rival the best in the world.

“We’re very proud that our properties are regarded as a benchmark for excellent customer service and we’re immensely grateful to our staff and management team, led by our Chief Executive, Debrah Dhugga, for helping us achieve our dream.”

Von Essen hotels chairman, Andrew Davis said; “I am delighted with the acquisition of these two very special hotels, our first in 2008, which will complement our existing Collection and expand the reach of von Essen into Northern England.

“Seaham Hall and The Samling are real treasures and we look forward to sharing them with our customers in the years to come.”