Gallivant hotelier Harry Cragoe buys Romney Bay House hotel

Romney Bay House hotel has been snapped up by Harry Cragoe, the owner behind Camber Sands pub-hotel the Gallivant.

The property was sold on a freehold basis off a guide price of £1.9m and will close for "some general improvements" before reopening later this summer.

Romney Bay House hotel is located on the seafront in Littlestone-on-Sea, a small coastal village close to New Romney in Kent. The hotel was built in 1929 by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and has previously welcomed guests including Noel Coward and the Astor family.

The property has 10 double bedrooms, all with views to the sea or over Littlestone golf course. Since the business was acquired by the previous owners, Lisa and Clinton Lovell, in 2003, it has received several Cesars in The Good Hotel Guide.

Andrew Moore, director in Christie & Co's hotel team, who facilitated the deal, said: "Having known Harry at the Gallivant for a number of years and charged with finding another hotel for him, when I met the owners of Romney Bay House hotel, I knew he was the person to take on this wonderful opportunity.

"After viewing the hotel, Harry agreed to buy it straight away, meaning it didn't even make it to the open market! While the business transfers over it will be closed for some general improvements but will be re-opening late summer 2022 and we look forward to seeing it grow as part of the Gallivant family."