Image: Knight Frank

Our fantastic home town, Henley-on-Thames is not just flourishing it’s flying high and is fast becoming the home of Food, Drink and Hotel excellence. With Crockers of Henley receiving plaudets across the industry press and broadsheets, plus being named Regional Winner of The Times Hotel of the Year, we now welcome to Henley the new owers of the 15th century Grade II listed landmark The Red Lion Hotel, Grace Leo and Tim Hartnoll.

International Hotelier Grace Leo is credited as a pioneer in the design-led boutique hotel sector. The daughter of a Hong Kong hotelier, Grace Leo has been involved in the hotel world all her life. Over her illustrious career as a contributing force in the hospitality industry, Grace has created and co-authored over 20 independent and memorable hotels all over the world including Ten Trinity Square (UK), One UN (US), The Hermitage (Jakata), Hotel Cayena (Caracus) and Hotel Beauchamps (Paris) to name but a few.

With a distinctive style all her own, Grace Leo stepped out front in Europe’s design hotel movement and made her name synonymous with visionary concepts and creative executions with refinement, artistic flair, and authenticity.

Grace Leo’s investment partner Tim Hartnoll is the owner of global shipping company X-Press Feeders. An avid sailor and rower, who grew up between England and Singapore, Tim is a global investor whose hospitality interests include the Bawah Reserve in the Anambas Archipelago in Indonesia.

We have no doubt that The Red Lion Hotel is in safe hands and that the history of the hotel and it’s environs will be respected, as Grace Leo has said, ‘ When I begin a new project, I draw inspirations from the future hotel’s locality to capture a sense of place, architecture, history, and energy …. this allows me to establish a theme, a concept, and a story board for the design and creative process.‘

Outgoing Red Lion Hotel General Manager of MG Hotels Sam Gill said, “We have enjoyed being the custodians of this amazing building, and getting to know so many local people that have become great friends. For now we will continue our focus on our residential development/ serviced apartment business, along with with the redevelopment and repositioning of the Manor Hotel, Datchet Windsor. Thank you so much for your support over the years, and I am sure Grace will be a great custodian to take over the Hotel with her experience and dedication to the project.”

Experience Henley looks forward to watching this treasured building and landmark in Henley being restored and transformed. An exciting chapter for this iconic hotel.

Royal Riviera, St. Jean Cap Ferrat, France (above), just one of the many hotels Grace Leo has developed.