Hotel to be given refurbishment as new owners take over

The freehold of the hotel, situated close to the International Centre on King’s Road, was bought for an undisclosed sum from HRH Group, which offers a collection of restaurants, hotels, cocktail bars and traditional pubs throughout Yorkshire.

Investment in the acquisition and refurbishment of The Balmoral Hotel will be more than £1.2m.

Mr Lawson, a hotel executive with more than 12 years’ experience with Malmaison and Radisson Edwardian Hotels, aims to launch a number of “contemporary high quality townhouse hotels” under the Bonne Nuit brand.

Mr Lawson formerly managed Harrogate’s Hotel du Vin.

The Balmoral Hotel, a 23-bedroom four-star hotel, is situated in a building that was originally three townhouses dating back to 1841. The property was converted into a hotel in the 1970s by a former chef to the royal family and has operated as a hotel and restaurant for more than 30 years.

“The Balmoral is a great property with fantastic potential as a destination hotel venue in Harrogate.

“Over the years it has seen significant investment and with some TLC and fresh thinking, it is going to become a very special place to eat, drink, socialise and stay,” said Mr Lawson.

“When the Balmoral was first launched in the ’70s it was all about great food, top notch service and a fantastic historic setting.

“We’re going to refresh that approach and once again make the hotel one of Harrogate’s top eating and drinking venues offering unique product delivered by knowledgeable, genuinely hospitable staff.

“The property has a great bar and restaurant area and gardens that we are already starting to use for events, weddings and private functions ahead of the extensive redesign later in the year.

“The restaurant is currently only open for private events, but we have reopened the bar to residents and locals and we’re getting great feedback.”

Mr Lawson added: “We have some big investments to make into the building and the rooms but great quality food and drink will be the core of what we offer when we finalise plans and redesign the bar and dining areas later in the summer.

“Right now, the priorities are to bring a high quality and service focus to the management of the hotel and look after our guests really well as we plan the invest- ment.”