Ufford Park Hotel, Golf & Spa in Suffolk has been sold to Lion Quays Hotels for an undisclosed sum.
Located 10 miles from Ipswich, Ufford Park has been under the same ownership for 30 years and has been developed into one of East Anglia’s best and most recognised hotel and golf courses.
The property is set in 119 acres of parkland and provides customers with a huge range of high-quality business and leisure facilities. The main hotel and golf clubhouse comprises 90 en-suite hotel bedrooms, a restaurant and bar with coffee lounge and multiple conference and events rooms. The building also accommodates a fitness club with a gym, swimming pool and thermal spa, and nine treatment rooms.
The venue’s 18-hole parkland course has hosted numerous county level events over the years, as well as being home to a PGA EuroPro Tour’s Ufford Park Classic from 2003-07. In addition to the golf course, the club boasts a 25-bay, two-storey driving range, an 18-hole adventure golf course and a golf retail shop.
The venue was sold by joint agents Savills and HMH Golf & Leisure. Ian Simpson, head of leisure at Savills, said: “The vendors have developed the property into one of East Anglia’s best-known hotel, golf and leisure venues. The business and management team have won numerous awards over the years, and we are delighted to complete the sale of this visually stunning hotel, golf and spa complex to an experienced operator, who will continue to deliver the high-quality offering to customers.”
Tom Marriott at HMH Golf and Leisure, added: “In an uncertain world, investors often turn to asset-backed businesses. Ufford Park is the perfect staycation venue close to the Suffolk heritage coast with enviable facilities. The complex had never been sold before and this was part of the attraction. We were asked to conduct an off-market sale and we approached a shortlist of investors. Businesses such as Ufford Park are rare and always create real interest.”
First opened in 1992, Ufford Park was set up by Colin and Shirley Aldous took over the stalled development that was taking place at the site. The hotel started off with just 25 rooms and a health club, and over the next 30 years was transformed into a 90-bedroom resort employing over 170 staff.
Colin Aldous, who learnt to play golf on the Ufford Park site when he retired for the first time as the owner of a local construction company, was captivated by the beautiful contoured countryside and saw potential in developing its 120 acres. He said: “We are so proud of what we built during our 30 years at Ufford Park – a resort with an enviable reputation. Both Shirley and I are now looking to enjoy our retirement and made the decision to pass the business on to a new owner who can continue building on our successes. Naturally we are sad to say goodbye, but we are incredibly proud to leave a legacy of such a special place and people that will forever hold an important place in our hearts.”
Lion Quays Hotels currently operates hotels in Oswestry in Shropshire and Langstone in Hampshire. Its owner, Dr Ashok Bansal said: “The Bansal family are tremendously proud and delighted that Ufford Park has been added to their portfolio of resorts. We feel that Ufford Park represents a perfect fit within our strong group ethos and core values.
“We would like to thank Colin and Shirley for their support throughout the sales process and it is clear we are welcoming a very special place into our family. We are excited to build on the exceptional job completed by the Aldous family and plan to invest heavily in developing the product and services across our new resort.”
Under the new ownership the venue’s name is to be changed to Ufford Park Resort.