Foresters Hall on the Isle of Wight goes on the market through Christie & Co
Specialist business property advisor, Christie & Co has been appointed to bring to the market the award-winning Foresters Hall on the Isle of Wight. The highly celebrated hotel, part of which was constructed in 1865 as the meeting place for the Cowes branch of the Ancient Order of Foresters, is independently owned and operated by international film executives and husband and wife duo, Sara Curran and Peter Sussman.
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The stylish hotel is positioned on Sun Hill in the centre of Cowes Old Town, steps from the charming high street filled with independent boutiques and cafes. The world-renowned Royal Yacht Squadron sailing club, whose Admiral was Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh until his death in 2021, is less than a five minute walk from the property and is home to many of the finest sailors and sailing events in the world. Foresters Hall attracts much of this elite sailing traffic. Additionally, the ferry terminal in Cowes is less than a five minute walk to the hotel and the Red Jet ferry trip across the Solent from Southampton to Cowes is less than 30 minutes.
The hotel has been meticulously refurbished and features 14 stylish bedrooms, each with a unique design. The property is considered the leading hotel on the Isle of Wight and is the only hotel on the island to be a member of Mr & Mrs Smith and Tablet Plus, as well as being recommended by Michelin Guide 2024. It was also recently accorded 5 stars by the AA.
The Restaurant, Bar and Library at Foresters Hall is sought after for its quality and ambience by both residents and locals. The south-facing outdoor terrace and garden is a rare sun trap in Cowes while the heated outdoor saltwater pool is known locally as the “sexiest pool in Cowes”.
Current owner, Sara Curran comments, “I moved to the Isle of Wight when I was pregnant with my daughter Alice in 2007 and she is now in Sixth Form, so between Alice’s impending departure off the island in 2025 and Peter and my desire to go elsewhere in the world and do some long-planned writing alongside our various film and tv initiatives, we decided 2025 is a good time to begin our next chapter. We couldn’t be more proud of what’s been created at Foresters Hall and want to especially thank our terrific concierge and housekeeping teams who continue to deliver an outstanding experience for our guests.”
Peter Sussman adds, “Even though we had no experience in hospitality, we acquired the hotel so it could continue to thrive and be a source of pride for the community in Cowes. Having re-positioned the hotel and taken it to another level, the time is right for a professional operator to continue the journey.”
Ed Bellfield, Regional Hotel Director at Christie & Co, who is handling the sale, also comments, “The sale of Foresters Hall represents an exceptional opportunity to acquire a highly celebrated hotel business with a dedicated following and significant repeat patronage. The reputation of the business is a testament to the stylish upgrade under Sara and Peter’s stewardship, combined with its enviable location in Cowes Old Town.”
The hotel is being sold freehold off a guide price of £2,300,000.
For further information on this press release, contact:
Bronte Hughes, Corporate Communications Manager
P: 020 7227 0794 or E: bronte.hughes@christie.com
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