Idle Rocks owners buy St Mawes Hotel

Ex-Aston Martin chairman David Richards and wife Karen, who bought the 20-bedroom Idle Rocks hotel in 2010 before re-opening it last year, plan to refurbish the 14-bedroom St Mawes Hotel before re-opening it this summer. 

To run the hotel, which was placed on the market for £2m, the couple have appointed former Cowley Manor director and hotel consultant Tim House hotel director. In his new role House will oversee the running of St Mawes Hotel as well as managing the team and resources at Idle Rocks just 200 yards away. 

Karen Richards said: "We are very excited by this new acquisition and particularly pleased that Tim will be joining us to head up both operations. His reputation for bringing out the best in his teams, coupled with his in-depth knowledge of the luxury end of the hospitality industry makes him the perfect choice to move us onto the next level."

House, who worked as general manager at Fawsley Hall Hotel before becoming a consultant, said: “I am very much looking forward to working with The Idle Rocks team at this exciting time, supporting the growth of the company and working, once again, on the launch of a new hotel.” 

Development​

A spokesperson for the business said 'a light refurbishment' of the public areas and kitchen were planned to take place before the hotel re-opens for business in time for the summer season, but that a 'significant' area of land at the property's rear could provide scope for future development. 

Both hotels will share a common theme with Karen responsible for designing the interiors for both. A spokesperson said there were no current plans for the company's further expansion.