Hotel groups, property companies and private equity firms are believed to be eyeing luxury hotel group Von Essen’s assets.
The holding company of Von Essen Hotels was placed in administration on Wednesday evening after the hotel group failed to make interest payments on its £250m debt.
The 28 hotels, which include the Royal Crescent in Bath and Cliveden in Berkshire, are continuing to operate as normal.
The holding company is now up for sale. It is not yet known whether Von Essen could be broken up and the hotels sold individually.
According to reports, city fund manager Tosca Penta Investments and the Qatari Royal Family have registered their interest.
Orient-Express Hotels is also reported to be interested in cherry-picking some of the properties.
Other names in the frame are London & Regional, owner of the Park Lane Hilton in London, Akkeron Hotels and private equity firm Blackstone.
Angela Swarbrick, Ernst & Young joint administrator, said: “It is business as normal for the hotels and customers of von Essen Hotels can continue to enjoy their stay.”