A historic Georgian hotel in Exeter has been acquired by the Harries-Jones family, known for operating the Galaxie Hotel in Oxford.
- The transaction involved the purchase of Queens Court Hotel, currently functioning as a 20-room bed and breakfast.
- The deal was facilitated by Christie & Co, known for previously managing the hotel’s sales in 2005 and 2015.
- This acquisition marks a significant step in the Harries-Jones’ strategic expansion in regional UK cities.
- The hotel, with its prominent location near Exeter St David’s and Central station, attracted competitive bids, selling above the asking price.
A Georgian-era property in Exeter, the Queens Court Hotel, has been successfully acquired by the Harries-Jones family for an undisclosed sum. This family-owned business, recognised for running the Galaxie Hotel in Oxford, has taken over the helm of this Grade II listed establishment. Located strategically near Exeter St David’s and Central station, the hotel currently operates as a 20-room bed and breakfast. The transaction underscores the family’s ambition to expand their footprint in regional city hotel accommodations across the United Kingdom.
The sale of Queens Court Hotel was handled by Christie & Co, a business property advisor with a history of managing the property’s transactions, including previous sales in 2005 and 2015. The process was notably competitive, given that the property commanded significant interest from multiple parties and achieved a sale price exceeding the initial asking figure.
Charlie Harries-Jones communicated the family’s enthusiasm for this strategic acquisition, stating, “We are delighted to announce the purchase of Queens Court Hotel. This is the first step in our growth strategy to provide differentiated hotel accommodation in regional cities across the UK.” His sentiments highlight the family’s vision to integrate unique accommodation offerings into the fabric of the UK’s regional business travel sector.
The previous owner of the Queens Court Hotel, K Balendran, had been in possession of the property since 2015. Since then, the on-site restaurant has remained closed from 2020, although the hotel continues to offer a lounge bar and a function suite, enriching its accommodations for potential guests.
Stephen Champion, a director within the South West Hotels team at Christie & Co, remarked on the successful sale process: “Queens Court Hotel generated significant interest when it was launched to the market resulting in competitive bidding from multiple parties.” His remarks reflect the strong market interest in historic and strategically positioned properties, as well as the expertise of Christie & Co in navigating complex sales.
The acquisition of Queens Court Hotel by the Harries-Jones family illustrates a targeted expansion within strategic urban locations, promising enhanced hospitality offerings.
