After buying some of the most expensive homes in the United Kingdom, one hears the NRI steel magnate Lakshmi Niwas Mittal is now contemplating investing in some really upscale country hotels. The consultant of Mittal family is reportedly in talks with the Von Essen Hotels for purchasing a stake in their business. Von Essen Hotels happens to be among the largest privately-owned luxury hotel chain of Britain. The entrepreneur of Von Essen, Andrew Davis too is mulling over the idea of selling a stake from his business in order to consolidate some of his approximately pound 210 million fortune.

Industry insiders inform that Andrew Davis plans to utilize the external investment to bid for the European properties of Orient Express Hotels, which has been embroiled in a takeover speculation since quite some time now. It has however been indicated by Orient Express, which owns the La Residencia hotel in Malorca, that its European assets are not for sale. Sources inform that Lakshmi Mittal is also eyeing a stake in some other businesses such as Cliveden stately home in Oxfordshire and The Royal Crescent in Bath. Neither LK Advisers nor Von Essen have made any comments on this issue.