A COUNTRY house hotel is under new ownership as it joins a growing empire of luxury properties across Europe. 

Rothay Manor Hotel, in Ambleside, has been bought by hoteliers Jamie and Jenna Shail for an asking price of £2.4m. 

The couple are moving to the 19-bedroom hotel with distinctive Regency decor while continuing to operate their up-market ski chalet business at Courchevel in the French Alps.

Haydn Spedding, associate director of hotels-agency at Colliers International, who secured the sale, said: “Jamie and Jenna have great experience in the hospitality industry and will continue with their ski chalet business in France. 

"They look forward to continuing and enhancing the reputation of Rothay Manor and are introducing new key staff to the business including the former head chef of the three rosette East Lodge in Derbyshire.”