A HOTEL chain that started in Winchester has refused to comment following reports that it could be put up for sale.

In the same week that Hotel du Vin celebrated its 20th anniversary it was announced that its owner, KSL Capital Partners, is close to selling the business.

A Sky News report said the private equity firm, which is based in Denver, Colorado, has appointed investment bank UBS to conduct a full review of strategic options for Malmaison Group.

The review is expected to lead to a formal auction of the Hotel du Vin and Malmaison brands, the report said.

A spokesman for Hotel du Vin’s public relations firm said the group is not commenting at this stage.

It is believed the hotels are operating as usual, with ambitions for expansion remaining.

Malmaison has recently announced it will open its first Hotel du Vin property inside the M25, after purchasing Cannizaro House in south west London. The investment will cost £1 million.

The two hotel chains run nearly 30 sites across the UK, with 3,000 people employed by Malmaison Group.

It was previously owned by MWB Group, which fell into administration in November 2012.

The report said it was unclear how large the price tag attached to the group by KSL would be.