THE future of one of Suffolk’s most prestigious hotels has been cast into doubt after it emerged the owners had plunged into administration.

Based in the east wing of Ickworth, the Ickworth Hotel in Horringer, near Bury St Edmunds, is one of the county’s finest hotels.

The estate was home to the aristocratic Hervey family - of Lord Bristol and Lady Victoria fame - for almost 200 years before it passed to the National Trust in lieu of death duties.

The 27-bedroom hotel, which opened just nine years ago, is owned by von Essen Hotels Limited which it understood to have chalked up debts of �250million.

However, the holding company of the Ickworth - and 27 other hotels in the UK and France - has been placed in administration.

A spokeswoman for the hotel yesterday declined to comment on the situation regarding its future and referred the EADT to the administrators Ernst and Young.

Ernst and Young have appointed Alan Bloom, Chris Marsden and Angela Swarbrick as joint administrators.

Ernst and Young said while a buyer is sought for the holding company the hotels would continue to trade as usual.

However, asked what would happen if they were unable to to find a buyer, the firm said it was “too early to say”.

Ms Swarbrick, joint administrator, said: “It is business as normal for the hotels and customers of von Essen Hotels can continue to enjoy their stay.”

It is understood the Ickworth employs dozens of workers from the area.