The brand will include Washington School House Hotel in Park City, Utah, which Holthus opened in 2011, and Hotel Chateau du Grand-Luce in France’s Loire Valley, due to open in June 2019.

Pilot Hotels will be offering “design-driven and intuitive” properties which are “architecturally significant and preserve authenticity”.

Washington School House features 12 rooms while Hotel Chateau du Grand-Luce is a 260-year-old castle currently being transformed into a hotel. The chateau will feature 17 rooms and two apartments, plus a spa and 80 acres of grounds when it opens.

Pilot says it will start sales and marketing activities in the UK following the opening of the French property next summer.

Holthus, who has a background in finance and property, said: “The hotels themselves are works of art. The design team starts with an incredible property saturated in history that transcends centuries.

“Awe-inspiring spaces for the modern luxury traveller are created, while preserving and restoring authenticity. The restoration is then layered with carefully curated art and furnishings, with splendid finishes, delivering over-the-top, chic, sophisticated interiors.”

Pilot Hotels has also promoted Michael Gregory, who worked on the development of Washington School House Hotel, to become the brand’s managing director.