Bath-based hoteliers Tim and Ros Forester have acquired the city’s luxury boutique bed and breakfast Dorian House in a deal backed by NatWest and with advice from Bath-headquartered law firm Royds Withy King.
The couple, who previously owned Bath’s Duke’s Hotel, bought the historic 13-bedroom property, pictured, for an undisclosed sum through their new company Dorian Bath Ltd, which they incorporated in May. 
The Dorian House management team, who live on-site, and staff will be retained.
The freehold had been on the market through specialist property agency Christie & Co’s Bristol office for £1.95m. The large, converted Victorian house in Upper Oldfield Park had annual net sales in excess of £400,000, according to Christie & Co’s marketing information.
The deal is the latest in a string of ownership changes in Bath’s burgeoning boutique guest house and upmarket B&B sector and comes as three more large hotels prepare to open in the city. Agents report strong demand from investors for well-located properties.
A Daily Telegraph travel writer described Dorian House – then under its previous owners – as “elegant and luxurious” and said guests could “expect period features, modern art, characterful and comfy bedrooms, and good breakfasts”.
The Foresters also previously owned the Grade II listed, 22-bedroom, three-star boutique Henbury Lodge Hotel in Bristol but sold it last December to experienced hotelier Akin Ojolo. Mr Ojolo had owned Highways House in Bath but sold it to take over Henbury Lodge.
Royds Withy King handled both the Henbury Lodge sale and Dorian House acquisition for the Foresters.
Head of the firm’s leisure & hospitality team Caroline Entwistle, pictured, worked closely with the couple to acquire Dorian House. 
She said: “I am delighted that we managed to complete this purchase for our clients and it’s great that the management team will continue to be involved as the guesthouse begins its next chapter.
“My team have acted on the high-value purchase and sale of many hotels and guesthouses throughout the South West and we are confident that, with Tim and Ros at the helm, Dorian House has a bright and exciting future.”
Tim Forester said: “As members of the local Bath community, we are thrilled to be the new owners of Dorian House. Our new property has a fantastic setting on the southern side of Bath, with views towards the Royal Crescent and a strong reputation for its style, character and the service given.
“We plan to build on this reputation and retain the integrity of the building. We were pleased to continue our relationship with Royds Withy King and we are grateful for their advice and support in purchasing Dorian House.”
The Dorian House sale was handled by Matt Smith, a director in the Bristol office of specialist property advisor Christie & Co.
Last year Bath hotels and B&Bs the Ayrlington, Kennard, Griffin and Aquae Sulis were among those to change hands. The £35m, 177-bedroom Apex City Hotel is due to open later this month with the 117-bedroom Hotel and Indigo 148-bedroom Z Hotel opening next year.
Royds Withy King also has offices in Swindon, Marlborough, London and Oxford.
