Dubai millionaires want to turn our hotel into ‘Chelsea-on-Sea’ luxury resort – we don’t want to be next rich playground

RESIDENTS living in a quiet seaside town are fuming at plans of Dubai millionaires to turn a historic hotel into a luxury “Chelsea-on-Sea” resort. The iconic Cottage Hotel in Hope Cove, Devon has been sold to a hotelier based in Dubai that wants to turn the site into a new playground for the “rich and famous”. Cottage Hotel in Hope Cove has been sold to Beach Barefoot Hospitality Credit: SWNS Will Murray, a local resident, thinks some change wouldn’t be a bad thing Credit: SWNS Locals are worried that the sale of Cottage Hotel to the “rich outsiders” could see the historic family-run hotel transformed into a multi-million pound luxury waterfront venue. Beach Barefoot Hospitality, the UK trading arm of an international hotelier believed to be based in Dubai, recently bought the 45-bedroom property which had a guide price of £8million. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Villagers are worried that the transformation of the three-acre site, with panoramic views of stunning Bigbury Bay and direct beach access, could turn the area into a replica of nearby tourist hotspot Salcombe – dubbed “Chelsea-on-Sea”. The purchase, which also includes a staff house and two luxury apartments, has residents worried that the area could become too exclusive for locals, causing prices to rocket and pushing them out. The company believed to be based in Dubai acquired the 45-bedroom property following a guide price of £8million Credit: SWNS The directors of Beach Barefoot Hospitality previously had a luxury eco resort in Costa Rica Credit: Google The Ireland family have run Cottage Hotel since 1973, which currently features spacious public areas, a seasonal bistro, ice cream parlour and art studio, but made the sale due to retirement. William Ireland, a director of J.K. & J. Ireland (Cottage Hotel) Limited, said: “We are proud of The Cottage Hotel’s remarkable reputation, cultivated over five decades of our continuous ownership. “We have made substantial investments in the property to ensure its future success and it now has huge potential for a future owner to add value. We wish Beach Barefoot Hospitality every success.” But locals such as Dave Clarke, have seen first-hand the impact of similar changes have had in areas like Salcombe and fears the same could happen at Hope Cove. Most read in Money Locals pride take pride in the area’s quaint and traditional feel Credit: SWNS The hotel was run by the same family for more than 50 years Credit: SWNS He said: “There’s always speculation about people changing expensive boutique hotels like Salcombe has became with a lot of apartments. “I was working in Salcombe in the late 60s early 70s and the face of Salcombe changed completely when all the main hotels became apartments – it turned it into the expensive playgrounds of the rich. “No doubt there will be certain changes but they need to be sympathetic to the village. “The big concern of residents locally and of regular visitors is that it goes upmarket too much and become prohibitive.” Dave has now called on the new owners to come up with an “honest plan of what they’re going to do”. He added: “My family have used it for years. Obviously prices go up, things change, but it’s always had a very tight family ethos of the seaside holiday, encouraging families to come. “The big concern of everyone is whether it will remain affordable for everyone. Part of the charm is it is a quiet refuge people go to.” Another local resident said: “The new owner has never more incorrectly read the room here. “It doesn’t matter if you throw £30billion at it – Hope Cove doesn’t want a large, extended ‘luxury waterfront resort’. “It is totally out of keeping with this quaint unspoilt fishing village – it’s the family-run ‘retro charm’ that regular visitors flock to – purposely avoiding the luxury resorts in nearby Salcombe. Will Murray, 66, a company director, has lived in the village since 1983. He said: “There are two worlds in Hope Cove. Some see it as a quaint English theme park to an extent, and nobody wants any change to anything, because they prefer it lived in the 19th century, and it just carried on. “There’s a huge concern, clearly, because an international scale star hotel there would totally change the whole thing. “I think my worst case scenario would be flats. Because this place has had that done to it already hugely and it kills it.” He added: “We’re dealing with unknown quantity. There’s a huge conservatism about this place and people will resist anything. “They love it as it is and that’s fantastic. But just because you love something as it is doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not capable of a new variation, a new version.” Independent hotel broker Simon Stevens, of Simon Stevens Associates, and Jon Clyne, director of commercial property agency Charles Darrow, worked closely on the deal as joint agents for the Ireland family that was selling it. Simon Stevens, said: “This outstanding hotel has a rich history and an impressive, long-standing reputation, making it highly attractive to the purchaser. “The hotel industry has enjoyed a buoyant summer season, encouraging investment into the sector with credible buyers seeking new opportunities.” Jon added: “This is an extraordinary property, nestled in one of South Devon coast’s most breath-taking locations, with uninterrupted sea and coastal views. “Beach Barefoot Hospitality has very clear plans to capitalise on this superb setting for the luxury market, and we look forward to seeing that investment progress. “We always welcome approaches from other owners to market and complete similar off-market deals on a confidential basis.” A statement from Beach Barefoot Hospitality said: “We are excited to have purchased this well-known hotel on such a glorious coastal vantage point. “We will now reposition the hotel as a waterfront luxury venue delivering exceptional service to guests seeking a unique, resort-style environment.” Comment now