Which former Dragons' Den investor founded the hotel chain Bannatyne Hotels?

Duncan Bannatyne founded Bannatyne Hotels.

Duncan Bannatyne built a business group that included health clubs, spas and hotels, and Bannatyne Hotels formed part of that wider enterprise. He became one of the original Dragons on the BBC series Dragons' Den, where he was recognised for his direct questioning and interest in businesses with clear commercial potential.

Bannatyne's earlier career included work in ice-cream sales and other ventures before he developed his leisure and fitness businesses. His path illustrates a recurring theme of Dragons' Den: the panel members are not simply television judges but entrepreneurs who have built companies in different sectors.

Bannatyne Hotels should not be confused with the Bannatyne health-club brand, although both are linked to the same business group. Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis were also original Dragons, but neither founded the hotel chain named in the question.