The iconic Metropole Hotel & Spa in Llandrindod Wells has been sold after over a century of family ownersip.

This highly successful Welsh hotel has been independently owned and operated by the same family since 1897 and has more recently been under the stewardship of the fifth generation of the family.

Justin Baird-Murray and Sarah Hill have been responsible for substantially upgrading the hotel’s facilities and expanding the range of services on offer to guests and have significantly widened the hotel’s customer base.

The family feel the time is right as custodians of the hotel to step back and hand over to new owners to further develop and enhance this highly successful business for the future.

Specialist business property advisor, Christie & Co announced today that the iconic hotel has been sold to Crest Hotels.

Featuring 109-bedrooms and extensive function facilities, The Metropole has built a renowned reputation as one of the pre-eminent hotels in Wales. The historic hotel is ideally located close to Brecon, the natural gateway to the Brecon Beacons National Park and the University town of Aberystwyth to the west.

Justin Baird-Murray and Sarah Hill said: “Whilst it is of course sad to be selling a business with which we have been involved for our entire lives now is the right time.

“We wish the Singh family every success during their ownership of this wonderful hotel in a beautiful part of Wales. Most importantly we would like to thank the staff, with whom we have shared this memorable journey, for their hard work and dedication over the years.”

The new owner, Crest Hotels has secured 10 per cent of the share capital of Hotel Metropole (Llandrindod) Limited.

Directors, Gurjinder and Parminder Singh said: “We are extremely proud to bring this iconic hotel into our existing portfolio and look forward to working with the team in situ to further build on its reputation and stature. Justin and Sarah, including previous generations, have worked incredibly hard to create a fantastic legacy with The Metropole Hotel and we want to assure them it is in safe hands with Crest Hotels.

“We look forward to working with the local community and fully embracing the business, its people, its suppliers and of course, its many guests from all walks of life to enjoy a wonderful customer experience with us.”

Ed Bellfield, the regional director who brokered the deal, added: “The sale of The Metropole Hotel represented an exceptional opportunity to acquire a highly successful hotel business with significant repeat patronage, largely due to its continued ownership and continuity within the same family for over 120 years. T

“The reputation and success of the business is testament to the continued reinvestment and family stewardship over recent decades, combined with its enviable location in picturesque mid Wales.

“We wish Justin and Sarah well with their future plans and the closing of a long-established chapter and congratulate Gurjinder and Parminder on their purchase of an iconic hotel.”