Christie & Co have been appointed to oversee the sale of hotel chain von Essen.

Consisting of 27 country house hotels, the group is already attracting “huge interest”, according to the brokers.

A potential sale could see the chain broken up, however, with Christie & Co considering offers for individual assets.

Properties on offer include Bath’s iconic Royal Crescent Hotel.

Bath-based Von Essen hotels went into administration in April this year after failing to meet interest payments on £250m of bank borrowings.

Chris Day, managing director of Christie & Co, said: “This collection of fine country house hotels offers a unique opportunity as a whole group or in parts to be added to similar hotel estates.

“Given the history and international reputation of these hotels we anticipate considerable interest from potential buyers who have already been in contact to try and secure some or all of this famous collection of hotels.”