Exclusive hotel and spa at former Rothschild home

Mentmore Towers, the former home of the Rothschild family, is to be converted into a luxury hotel and health spa.

Designed by Sir Joseph Paxton, the architect of the Crystal Palace, Mentmore Towers was completed for Baron Amschel de Rothschild in 1855, and is now owned by Mentmore Towers Ltd, one of the companies within the Halabi family trusts.

Planning permission has been granted for the conversion of the Buckinghamshire site into a 'six star' hotel offering 101 suites each more than 42sq m in size. Negotiations are currently underway with hotel operators to manage the hotel, which is due to open in 2005.

Meanwhile, work starts this year on a 'six star' hotel, spa and club in Piccadilly from Anglo Swiss Holdings, another company within the Halabi family trusts. The redevelopment of the former In & Out Club is due to complete in 2004. Details: +44 (0)20 7600 2288