WITH the dust now settling on last week's £66.4 million sale of the Hotel du Vin chain, one Dorset law firm now has time to sit back and congratulate itself.

Bournemouth-based Steele Raymond handled all the legal transaction requirements on behalf of Hotel du Vin's shareholders, having represented the boutique hotel chain since its inception in 1994.

Hotel du Vin was founded by Robin Hutson and internationally-acclaimed sommelier Grard Basset - both formerly of New Milton's Chewton Glen - and Peter Chittick. External investors included Body Shop entrepreneurs Dame Anita & Gordon Roddick.

Mr Hutson said: "David Steele (senior partner) of Steele Raymond has been working with us for many years, even before we opened our first hotel in Winchester.

"He was recommended to us by another law firm from the area when the prospect of buying the Winchester hotel was in its early stages. He helped to structure the deal and was instrumental in its coordination.

"The selling of Hotel du Vin was always planned when the right offer came from the right company, and this was the big one for us.

"It's been a nine-month process, which finally completed on Friday after Steele Raymond's team worked throughout the night."

The chain of six hotels - plus a seventh due to open in Henley-On-Thames in March - was sold to Marylebone Warwick Balfour (MWB) which already owns the Malmaison hotel group.

Mr Steele said: "This has been a major deal for us and we are delighted to have ensured such a successful outcome for the selling shareholders.

"The Hotel du Vin group has transformed the UK's hotel industry and established itself as a leader in its field.

"We are honoured to have been an integral part of the Hotel du Vin team during its first 10 exciting years and wish everyone involved with the chain every success in the future."