These little Pigs went to market – hotels sold to investment group KSL Capital Partners

THE sale has been announced of Pig Hotels, the collection of boutique sites across the south which began in the New Forest.

The eight venues, including the flagship in Brockenhurst, have been bought by KSL Capital Partners, with co-founder Robin Hutson retaining a stake and continuing as chair.

Tom Ross, previously group operations director, is now managing director. The amount was undisclosed.

Mr Hutson said the sale was "an exciting opportunity" for the business to focus on the future "with an experienced team specialising in hospitality".

He added: "KSL invests in some of the most iconic and well-known hotels in the world and has had great success preserving what makes each asset unique.

"The investment will allow us to continue to grow and expand our collection, while offering our guests the same home-away-from-home quality they expect at each of our hotels.”

Founded in 2011, the Pig Hotels boast food grown on-site or sourced from within 25 miles, and has won a host of awards over the years.

Its parent company, Home Grown Hotels, was majority-owned by billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has a house in the New Forest.

KSL, a private equity firm specialising in travel and leisure enterprises, has raised nearly £14bn capital since 2005.

Tina Yu, principal at KSL, said the firm had admired Robin's hotels.

"We could not be more excited to work hand in hand with him and the entire team, and to help continue the growth of The Pig," she said,

"The team at The Pig has created something truly unique and exceptional: hotels set in the English countryside which are dedicated to providing genuine hospitality and are at the forefront of environmental responsibility.

"We look forward to being part of this journey and supporting the management team.”