ORSETT Hall hotel in Essex has been sold to hospitality group Barons Eden, the owner of Hoar Cross Hall in Staffordshire and Eden Hall in Nottinghamshire, after more than 30 years of family ownership.

 The Georgian-style country house hotel is set within 12 acres of landscaped grounds and features 57 ensuite bedrooms, a chapel, five lodges, wellness facilities and event spaces, including one which can accommodate up to 1,000 guests.

The four-star hotel has been owned by the Barton-Wright family since the early 1990s.

The original building was destroyed in 2007.

The family oversaw the rebuild after the original manorial building was destroyed by a blaze in May 2007z

Sophy Barton-Wright said: "Orsett Hall has been part of our family since 1993 and in that time has become so much more than just a business.

"As we turn the page on this chapter, it feels like the right time for someone new to take Orsett Hall forward.

"We're excited to see what the new owners will do with this very special place and can't wait to watch its next chapter unfold."

Edward Law, chief executive of Barons Eden, said: "Orsett Hall is a particularly well-situated beautiful countryside hotel and we are excited to have the opportunity to significantly invest in the property to create a destination spa resort so close to London."

Henry Jackson, partner and head of hotel agency at Knight Frank, said: "The property's combination of high-quality accommodation, extensive events facilities, and strong operational performance attracted significant interest, and we are delighted to have successfully completed the sale to Barons Eden."

Barons Eden is an owner and operator of destination spa businesses, established in 1989.

 Terms of the deal were not disclosed.