The privately-owned, UK-based, von Essen hotels group – whose flagship is the Cliveden – has announced plans to invest £35m in its collections over the next three years which will see spa and leisure facilities introduced in many properties.

The company has also said it intends to expand the group’s portfolio from 17 country house hotels in the UK to 25, open a major hotel in London and expand into Mainland Europe.

Working on the spa developments are von Essen’s in house design team, led by creative director Andrew Onraet and supported by KLAFS of Germany and Schletterer of Austria. The first property to benefit from a new spa will be the New Park Manor Hotel in the New Forest.

The £2m Hayloft Spa will feature a 16m swimming pool, hydro pool, foot-spa, sauna, steamroom, sanarium and gym.

This will be followed by the development of spas at Buckland Manor, Congham Hall, The Elms, The Greenway, Lewtrenchard Manor, The Mount Somerset, Sharrow Bay, Ston Easton Park, Thornbury Castle and Washbourne Court.

Existing spas at Cliveden House, The Royal Crescent, Bishopstrow House and Dalhousie Castle will also be upgraded.

The company has also established the von Essentials product range.

Andrew Davies, founder and managing director of von Essen, said the company’s strategy for 2005 is to focus principally on the domestic leisure market, but also on the domestic, European and international business market. Details: www.vonessenhotels.com