Warner Leisure Hotels expands portfolio amidst staycation boom with Greater London acquisition

Warner is the only UK hotel chain to cater exclusively for adults, offering short breaks with great food and drink, spas and live music. Other flagship hotels include the recently refurbished Studley Castle, which opened in 2019 and Heythrop Park which will re-open in summer 2022 after a full refurbishment.

The Runnymede will become the sixteenth property for Warner and will offer its winning proposition in close proximity to London. The 4-star 180-bedroom hotel, located on the river Thames, is a 10-minute drive from Windsor with nearby attractions including Windsor Castle, Ascot and Kew Gardens.

Bourne Leisure, a Blackstone backed portfolio company, has acquired the hotel from a family-run business which has successfully operated The Runnymede for 35 years and enjoys an enviable reputation and customer following.

The move comes against the backdrop of a renaissance in domestic tourism, with the UK staycation boom fuelled by the global pandemic looking set to stay.

Simon Thompson, Managing Director of Warner Leisure Hotels said: “We are proud to announce another fantastic acquisition for Warner, and are delighted to be adding The Runnymede to our portfolio. It is a wonderful hotel with a fabulous team in a great location, and this marks an important milestone in our journey as we continue to look for new locations across the UK, expanding our presence to meet the needs of our guests.

“The hotel will be our first in the Greater London area and our guests seeking the perfect place to unwind will benefit from its unique riverside location, well suited for both relaxation and exploring nearby attractions.”

The Runnymede will continue to operate as a standalone hotel prior to its relaunch under the Warner brand.