Speculation was mounting as Caterer went to press that the Furlong Hotels group had been sold for about £50m.
The group, which owns three hotels, including the 69-bedroom Lygon Arms in the Cotswolds, and manages a further four properties remained tight-lipped about the deal.
The favourite to snap up Furlong is Dawnay Shore Hotels, the investment vehicle for Dawnay Day and Shore Capital, although Von Essen hotels has also been linked to the properties.