A HISTORIC Hampshire hotel has new overseas owners.

Mokan Hotels Co. Ltd, an overseas hospitality investor taking their first steps into the UK hotel sector has bought New Place, at Shirrell Heath, from the Principal Hotel Company, part of Starwood Capital, who ran the hotel as a De Vere venue.

New Place will be run and managed by Legacy Hotels and Resorts which has a group of around 15 hotels in the UK, including Chilworth Manor.

A spokesman said it would be “business as usual” at 110-room New Place which has seen its dining room and bar refurbished.

The hotel’s existing 66 staff will be retained.

New Place boasts a 17th century red brick manor house which is home to the hotel’s restaurant and Lutyens Bar, named after renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, who designed the main house built in 1906.

The hotel, which sits in 32 acres of landscaped grounds, is popular for corporate events and weddings.

Andy Townsend, chief executive officer of Legacy, said: “We are delighted to add such a respected and established regional hotel to Legacy’s growing portfolio. The acquisition of New Place is testament to our continued growth in the sector and the first this year of several projects in the pipeline that are due to complete.”