Historic House Hotels was founded in 1979 to rescue and restore run-down country houses. Through careful restoration, the houses and gardens have been brought back to life as historically accurate, yet contemporary hotels. In 2008, the hotels were given to the National Trust to ensure their long-term protection. All hotel profits go back into the National Trust’s conservation of special places. Each hotel has its own unique character and history. With the dramatic Snowdonia Mountains as a backdrop, Bodysgallen Hall is a 17th-century vernacular house. Middlethorpe Hall was built in 1699 and was once used as night club. Hartwell House is part Jacobean, part 18th century and was the home of King Louis XVIII during his exile from France.