Sir Rocco Forte’s private Rocco Forte Hotel group has purchased Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, London for £51.5m.

Bought with backing from the Bank of Scotland, Brown’s, formerly part of the Raffles group of hotels, is steeped in history with a plethora of past famous guests including Rudyard Kipling and Agatha Christie. Founded in 1837, it was also where Alexander Graham Bell made the world’s first telephone call in 1876.

The hotel has a classic English style with 118 bedrooms and suites, fitness centre and its famous Drawing Room, where afternoon tea can be taken.

The Rocco Forte group intends to extensively refurbish the hotel during 2004 to “restore it to its former glory”. The hotel will remain open during the refurbishment.

• Elsewhere, Sir Rocco Forte is also expanding his international business interests with the launch of a new sales office in Moscow, in a move that is seen to be recognising both the increase and importance of Russian business to the hotel group. Details: www.roccofortehotels.com