Ritz hotel sold

In what must be the most bizarre property sale of all time London’s iconic Ritz hotel has been sold, when closed, to an unnamed buyer.

The agent concerned has not denied a price paid to the reclusive Barclay brothers rumoured to be £800m.  The hotel is currently shut due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Qatari buyer said: "It is a privilege to become the owner of the iconic Ritz hotel," in a statement from Macfarlanes who advised on the acquisition.

However, controversy reigns.

“We are surprised and perturbed by the announcement the Ritz hotel has allegedly been sold.  We have neither been consulted nor have we approved this sale,” a representative from Sir Frederick Barclay told the Financial Times.

There is already a family feud taking place between the respective children of Sir Frederick and Sir David Barclay, identical twins worth $3.7bn who live on the feudal island of Sark, near Guernsey.

The hotel was opened by Swiss hotelier César Ritz in May 1906, eight years after he established the Hôtel Ritz Paris.  Maggie Thatcher died in the hotel but in its over 100 years of history it has hosted many VIPs including the Prince of Wales (Duke of Windsor), Noel Coward and all manner of European royalty.  Two years after the death of Princess Diana, the Prince and Camilla Parker-Bowles made their first public appearance together at the Ritz. 

www.theritzlondon.com

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