THE Lythe Hill Hotel and Spa in Haslemere has been sold to the The Old Thorns Hotel group.

Eagle Resorts have added the property off Petworth Road to a chain of country house hotels which includes Old Thorns, near Liphook, Tracy Park, and Castlemartyr in Ireland.

A spokesman for the company said it has “considerable plans” for the hotel and is committed to a “substantial investment program”.

The AA four-star rated hotel offers 44 en-suite bedrooms, self-contained garden suites, conference facilities, six meeting rooms, a spa and gym and two AA Rosette restaurant.

The spokesman said the Grade II Listed building holds the potential for additional bedrooms or conference facilities as well as the option for alternative use subject to the necessary planning consents.

Henry Jackson, partner in estate agent Knight Frank hotels team, said: “The hotel market continues to improve and demand for high quality hotels in prime Home Counties locations is strong.

“We expect the market conditions to remain positive for 2016 as trading performance continues to grow and purchasers are prepared to pay higher prices.”