Accommodation Update December 2016

Read on for the latest Accommodation Update, brought to you by VisitBritain's Destination PR team.

Highlights in this issue include news on The Good Hotel - London's first floating hotel - and the refurbishment of Scotland's Gleneagles Hotel, famous for its outstanding golfing facilities. There's also details of a new five-star shepherd's hut in Yorkshire, as well as Southampton's first-ever five-star hotel, due to open next June.

London

New and upcoming openings

The Montcalm Royal London House, City of London, October 2016

Montcalm Luxury Hotels has opened its sixth property, the Montcalm Royal London house, just moments from Liverpool Street station near Shoreditch. The 253-bedroom hotel has been transformed from an imposing mid-century office building into a five star property, complete with spectacular views of London's skyline. The hotel has two restaurants, two bars, and room service operations that will all be run by acclaimed restaurateurs, Tom and Ed Martin of ETM Group (The Jugged Hare, The Botanist Sloane Square and The Botanist Broadgate Circle). Launched in November, the hotel also features a spa with Versace wall tiles, a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, two treatment rooms, a sauna, and steam room. www.montcalmroyallondoncity.co.uk

PR Contact: press@montcalmroyallondoncity.co.uk

The Good Hotel at Newham's Royal Docks, December 2016

This unique hotel is London's first floating hotel, and this feat of ingenuity takes full advantage of pure industrial design in a unique waterfront location. The 148-bedroom hotel is a not-for-profit business and aims to invest in the local community and encourage unemployed people back into work, while offering premium and luxury accommodation to guests. After being transported from its current base in Amsterdam, the hotel is to remain in London for five years. www.goodhotellondon.com

PR Contact: press@goodhospitality.org

Four Seasons Hotel London, Ten Trinity Square, opening January 2017

Situated in the heart of London, the five-star Ten Trinity Square features just 100 rooms, including 11 luxurious and spacious suites, and is based in a historic building, once the headquarters of the Port of London Authority. From mid-March the hotel will also see the addition of a lavish spa, designed to reflect the architecture of London's Roman past. There will be eight treatment rooms, including a spacious Spa Suite for couples, a swimming pool, and a special Hammam Suite for steam treatments. The hotel offers an all-day restaurant, The Rotunda, and two destination restaurants, including the first British restaurant by chef Anne-Sophie Pic, the only current French female chef to hold three Michelin stars.

www.fourseasons.com/tentrinity

PR Contact : gemma.minto@fourseasons.com

Roomzzz, Stratford, opening March 2017

Aparthotel company Roomzzz is opening its first luxury London hotel, made up of 87 sumptuous apartments, including several studio and suite sizes - all designed in boutique hotel style. Westfield Shopping Centre, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Stratford tube station are all within walking distance. Roomzzz already has branches in Chester, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham. www.roomzzz.com/coming-soon

PR Contact: Roomzzz@hatchpr.co.uk

Nobu Hotel, Shoreditch, opening March 2017

Master sushi chef, Nobu Matsuhisa, is planning his first European hotel, the Willow Street Hotel in London's Shoreditch. The new hotel will house 150 bedrooms, and a statement restaurant: a dramatic five-metre high space in the basement As with all Nobu properties, the design will reflect both the city of origin, as well as Nobu Hospitality's signature east-meets-west philosophy, featuring banqueting and meeting rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and modern amenities combined with superior service. www.nobuhotels.com/london-nobu-hotel , www.nobuhospitality.com

PR Contact pr@nobuhotels.com

The Ned, City of London, spring 2017

The former Grade I listed Midland Bank headquarters is being turned into new five-star hotel, The Ned. Redesigned with the glamour of a 1930s transatlantic ocean liner as inspiration, the hotel will have 252 suites, a rooftop bar with landscaped terraces, a health spa, a gym, and a range of restaurants and cafes, including a New-York-style deli, Parisian café, Grill Room and a brand of Cecconi's, the Soho House favourite. www.thened.com

Dorsett City, Aldgate, late April 2017

Set within a 13-storey building, formerly called The Matrix, this new hotel next to Aldgate tube station will have two restaurants, a bar and 1,600 square feet of meeting space. The hotel will feature 267 guestrooms and suites, a rooftop bar, and a fitness centre. The hotel will bring two popular restaurant concepts from west to east London for the first time, with the opening on Shikumen and VQ (Vingt-Quatre).

www.dorsett.com/our-london-hotels.php

Ibis Styles Piccadilly Circus, opening 2017

The landmark Trocadero, a huge Edwardian Grade II listed building a stone's throw from Piccadilly Circus, is to become the West End's biggest budget hotel, turning the building into the 583-room three-star Ibis Styles Piccadilly Circus hotel, complete with on-site bar. The new design reflects the history of the area "with a hint of humour perfectly matching the electric eccentricity of the Trocadero". There will be a family suite that sleeps up to four people, complete with children's TV channels, as well as a kids' area in the lobby, plus cots, bottle warmers, and high chairs

www.ibis.com

PR contact: Jennifer.COLE@accor.com

Refurbs/expansions

Luxury five-star Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill unveils new refurbishment

Located in the chic Marylebone Village, the five-star hotel has recently seen the completion of an exciting, multi-million pound refurbishment. The hotel now proudly features 440 new guestrooms and suites, plus three new meeting and event spaces, all of which are designed in a quintessentially British fashion, with inspiration drawn from the legendary former Prime Minister Winston Churchill. www.londonchurchill.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

Multi-million pound transformation for London Marriott Hotel County Hall

This 206-room hotel overlooking Big Ben, Westminster Bridge and the River Thames has undergone an extensive renovation to increase room sizes and introduce seven Balcony Suites. The Westminster Suite (135 square metres) is the largest one-bedroom suite in London. www.londonmarriottcountyhall.co.uk

Belmond Cadogan, Knightsbridge, reopening 2017

The luxury hotel group Belmond, is backing the £28 million investment project in The Cadogan, the prestigious hotel on Sloane Street. Built in 1887 in the Queen Anne style, The Cadogan was the location of Oscar Wilde's infamous arrest. Building on this colourful history, the historic property is undergoing a two-year renovation project which reduces the number of rooms and suites from 64 to 54 to accommodate the needs of luxury travellers. www.belmond.com/cadogan-hotel-london

Claridge's plans new five-storey basement

The iconic luxury hotel has submitted plans for a five-storey ‘iceberg' basement to modernise its historic site. Proposals include a subterranean gym, pool, sauna and wine store, plus two new rooftop levels to house 40 extra rooms. www.claridges.co.uk

Long lead openings

2017: Manhattan Loft Gardens Design Hotel, Stratford

This 150-room hotel will occupy the seven lower levels of the 42-storey Manhattan Loft Gardens development. Above the hotel is a 34-storey residential tower where guests and residents share the use of communal spaces including the lobby, leisure facilities, swimming pool, spa facilities, as well as an external roof garden that overlooks the Olympic Park. Its three 'sky gardens' ensure that residents are never more than nine stories from an outdoor space. www.manhattanloftgardens.co.uk/design-hotel

Summer 2018: Cumberland Hotel to become Britain's first Hard Rock Hotel

The 900-bedroom Marble Arch site is set to re-open in 2018 as the Hard Rock Hotel, complete with a lobby area hosting live music, as well as a Hard Rock Café, speakeasy bar, spa and ‘rock shop' selling iconic merchandise.

2019: Art'otel® at Battersea Power Station

Set to open in 2019, based around the historic Battersea Power Station, this 160+ bedroom luxury lifestyle hotel with have skyline floors offering panoramic views of London. There will be a Roof Garden, an outdoor rooftop pool and bar overlooking the iconic chimneys, curated gardens, a signature restaurant and double height bar. Guests will be welcomed by a public gallery creative space offering a rotating calendar of exhibitions, as well as cultural and artistic events supporting established and up-and-coming artists alike. www.artotellondonbattersea.com

PR contact: prteam@pphe.com

Scotland

New and upcoming openings

The Bus Stop - self-catering in a bus! Gifford, East Lothian

The perfect getaway on four wheels, this unique accommodation has been created in a single decker bus on a working farm, with bespoke interiors and a touch of luxury. Characteristics include a large deck with log fired hot tub, BBQ, fire pit set on a spacious grassed area with uninterrupted views of the Lammermuir Hills. www.thebusstop.scot

The Royal G & V, Edinburgh

Edinburgh's most style driven five-star hotel has been going through a large refurbishment over the last year. In November its new signature bar opened - the design takes influence from flowers which are grown on-site, and the honey made on the hotel roof.

www.quorvuscollection.com/gandv-hotel-edinburgh

Gleneagles Hotel St. Andrews, Scotland

The Gleneagles Hotel has announced the completion the first phase of its refurbishment, unveiling a new-look Century Bar and a new bar called Auchterarder 70, which is named after the hotel's original telephone number. It has also unveiled 35 renovated luxury bedrooms and suites. www.gleneagles.com

Edinburgh Grand, Edinburgh city centre, summer 2017

The Edinburgh Grand is the latest addition to Lateral City Apartments' portfolio of beautifully-appointed serviced accommodation. A striking Neo-Classical building, it stands on the south-east corner of notable St Andrew Square, just minutes away from key transport links. The building will have 50 luxury apartments and will also include restaurants, bars, retail outlets and a gym. Alongside the serviced apartments, Bon Vivant will be operating a coffee house and evening venue, offering late night entertainment and dining.

www.lateralcity.com/the-edinburgh-grand

2017: Motel One, Glasgow

Motel One Group will open its new £22 million hotel next to Glasgow Central Station. It will have a One Lounge, which is the living room, breakfast café and bar all in one. www.motel-one.com

2017: Innside by Melia, Glasgow

The Spanish hotel company is bringing its sleek style to Glasgow with this new 175-room premium brand hotel. www.melia.com/INNSIDE-Hotels

2017: Radisson Red Hotel Glasgow

Located adjacent to Scotland's largest exhibition centre, this 176-room addition will be the third Radisson hotel in the city. www.radissonred.com

Refurbs & expansions

The Principal Hotel, Edinburgh

Formerly the George Hotel, this Edinburgh gem has recently gone through a huge refurb. Perfectly located on George Street, in the centre of Edinburgh's New Town, this hotel has beautiful rooms, a fantastic bar, and an uber-cool coffee hub.

www.phcompany.com/principal/edinburgh-george-street

Wales

Refurbs /expansions

Further refurbishment at Metropole Hotel and Rock Spa, Llandrindod Wells

The hotel is embarking on a further six-figure refurbishment, following on from the latest re-vamp which included a major upgrade of the hotel spa - renamed as the Rock Spa.

www.metropole.co.uk/the-rock-spa.html

Long lead

Cardiff's Coal Exchange to be transformed into luxury hotel

One of Cardiff's most significant historical buildings is being turned into a 200-room luxury hotel. It will include a heritage area, First World War memorial and museum celebrating the history of the Cardiff Bay area. Dates TBC.

‘Tiny Houses' soon to be new addition at Hide at St Donats, 2017 - 2018

Working in tune with nature and the Welsh way of life, Hide embraces the heritage, soul and spirit of Wales and does it's upmost to use Welsh materials, furniture and produce wherever possible. Currently home to three snug ‘Cabans', it is adding tiny houses/lodges in the woods, inspired by American poets and poetry. www.hide.wales

South-east England

New and upcoming openings

One Warwick Place, Kent

Composed of 39 rooms and suites and a range of entertainment spaces, brand new hotel One Warwick Park has opened in the historic spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells. From its origins as a brewery and school house, visionary architectural and interior designs have turned the building into a stunning luxury accommodation offer. Right next to the famous Pantiles area, and only a few minutes from Tunbridge Wells train station, the hotel is perfectly located for enjoying all the activities that this beautiful Kentish town and its surrounding countryside has to offer. www.onewarwickpark.co.uk

Long lead openings

June 2017: Southampton Harbour Hotel & Spa

Southampton's first luxury five-star hotel at Ocean Village. Highlights will include 85 luxury bedrooms, a jetty restaurant featuring a rooftop champagne bar, and the decadent harbour Spa, with gym and swimming pool. www.harbourhotels.co.uk/hotels/southampton-harbour-hotel-spa

Summer 2017: New LEGOLAND Castle Hotel at LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, Berkshire

Situated on the edge of the popular theme park resort, the 61-room LEGOLAND Castle Hotel will bring to life an enchanted world of brave knights and princesses, wily wizards and jolly jesters. Families will be able to choose between two imaginatively themed room types - Knights and Wizards - each with separate sleeping areas for adults and children. Colourful LEGO touches and models will feature throughout - from the lobby's giant LEGO Wizard to the a la carte Tournament Tavern Restaurant, indoor Jester's Play area and outdoor Playground. Special guest benefits will include early entry to the park, fast track access on selected rides and LEGO gifts and collectables. Booking will open in mid-October 2016. www.legoland.co.uk/castle

PR contact: tansy@freerange.eu

Manchester, Liverpool & north-west England

New and upcoming openings

Oddfellows on the Park, Manchester

Based in the heart of beautiful Bruntwood Park, yet only minutes by car to both central Manchester and Manchester Airport, lies a boutique hotel with personality and character. Housed in a Victorian mansion with an unforgettable history is Oddfellows On The Park, the sister hotel to the award winning Oddfellows, Chester. The hotel is design-led and full of fun with 22 individually designed and luxurious boutique bedrooms, an events space to dream of, restaurant, cocktail bar and spa.

www.visitmanchester.com

The Cow Hollow Hotel, Northern Quarter, December 2016

Housed in Manchester's eclectic Northern Quarter, The Cow Hollow Hotel is taking a different approach to comfortable accommodation. Promising to be an 'honest' hotel, their prices stay the same between months, what you read is what you get, and there are no additional costs for gourmet breakfast, Wifi, or for barista tea and coffee which are all included for free. Expect King-size Hypnos beds, fibre optic Wifi, huge bronze rainfall showers and REN bathroom products, Italian porcelain bathrooms, and Brazilian slate bedroom decor. www.cowhollow.co.uk

easyHotel, Castle Street, Liverpool, January 2017

Plans by the hotel group easyHotel have been approved by the city council, to bring the first ever easyHotel venture to Liverpool. Formerly the Equity and Law Building, the new 77-bedroom hotel will be situated in Castle Street. www.easyhotel.com

easyHotel, Manchester, spring 2017

Named after its unique shape and originally built in the 1800's, the historic Flatiron building in Manchester's Northern Quarter will be the new home of easyHotel Manchester. The budget hotel will be located a few minutes' walk from Manchester Piccadilly Station and offers guests a huge array of bars and restaurants on its doorstep. www.easyhotel.com/hotels/united-kingdom/manchester

Zetter Group to open its first property outside of London in Manchester

Zetter Group is transforming Manchester's historic London Road fire station - which has been closed for 30 years - into a new luxury hotel spread across five floors. The developers want to preserve the existing beauty of the building but inject an international boutique hotel feel. The hotel will also house a world class cocktail bar, spa and co-working space. www.thezettergroup.com

Long lead

Roomzzz Aparthotel, Manchester: autumn 2017

Roomzzz Aparthotel, part of the Parklane Group, will open its second Manchester site in the iconic Corn Exchange in the city centre. Grade II listed and in the hub of Manchester's shopping district, the Corn Exchange has been transformed into the city's premium shopping quarter. Roomzzz Manchester Corn Exchange will have period features and beautiful bare brick walls, merged with bold bespoke interior designs, and a total of 114 apartments. www.roomzzz.com

Late 2017 or early 2018: Liverpool strikes gold with new hotel in Martins Bank building

Principal Hayley Group is converting the historic Martins Bank building in Liverpool into a 227-room luxury hotel with a spa, bar and restaurant. Designed by noted architect Herbert James Rowse and completed in 1932, the Martins Bank building is considered to be among the finest classical buildings built in England during the interwar period, and was used to hide Britain's gold during World War Two. www.ph-hotels.co.uk

Refurb/ expansions

Hallmark Hotels adds eight hotels to its portfolio in the North West of England

Hallmark Hotels has widened its offer within the North West of England, to provide accommodation, combined with meetings and events space within Liverpool, Preston, Chester, Wrexham and an additional hotel in Manchester. The hotel chain features an eclectic mix of hotel properties including spa and golf retreats and are situated in a variety of settings, from City Centres to rolling countryside manor houses, coastline to well-placed airport locations. The addition of the 8 North Western sites brings the Hallmark Hotel portfolio up to 28 properties, with a total number of rooms offered across the UK up to 2700. www.hallmarkhotels.co.uk

PR Contact: emma@streetand.co

North-east England

New and upcoming openings

The Gatehouse Lodge, Easton Walled Gardens, Lincolnshire

A cosy, luxurious, dog-friendly cottage for two in Lincolnshire's very own ‘lost" gardens. Easton Walled Gardens at the heart of the Easton Estate in the Lincolnshire Vales, near the Rutland border. The Grade II listed Gatehouse Lodge has been recently rescued from dereliction, and has been sensitively restored with a mix of original features and contemporary style. Owned and managed by the Cholmeley family since 1561, the gardens have been restored to their former glory after laying derelict for half a century, a labour of love that has been going on since 2001. www.thegatehouselodge.co.uk

New luxury apartment at Crook Hall and Gardens, Durham

Located within the grounds of Crook Hall and Gardens in Durham, a brand new luxury apartment has been designed with luxury and comfort in mind. It has two twin rooms that can comfortably sleep up to four guests, a fully fitted kitchen, and a large balcony terrace that overlooks a quiet corner of the gardens and the River Wear. www.crookhallgardens.co.uk

Refurbs/expansions

Seaham Hall Hotel benefits from new luxury suite

What could be more romantic than staying the very room where the famous poet Lord Byron himself was married more than 200 years ago? Seaham Hall has a new addition to its offering with the brand new Ada Lovelace suite, inspired by the daughter of Lord and Lady Byron who was known as an influential mathematician and writer, and is considered to be the world's first computer programmer. The suite has a cosy yet elegant interior, with sumptuous colours, delicate materials and a grand split-level layout. Expect a glazed bathroom and mirrored boudoir, elevated sleeping mezzanine, and generous lounge. www.seaham-hall.co.uk

Refurbishment of Kingslodge Inn in Durham City

The Kingslodge Inn in Durham City has undergone a refurbishment, with two new rooms. Just a stone's throw away from the heart of historic Durham city yet surrounded by peaceful woodland, the inn has the benefits of a city-centre location but with a laid-back, relaxed vibe. www.kingslodgeinn.co.uk

Birmingham and West Midlands

New and upcoming openings

Summer 2017: Hotel Du Vin, Stratford-upon-Avon

The Malmaison Hotel du Vin Group is creating a new luxurious 48-bedroom Hotel du Vin in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. The hotel will have 48 luxurious bedrooms, a bistro du vin, meeting and private dining rooms and a banqueting room with the capacity to seat 80. www.hotelduvin.com

PR contact: malhdv@hudsonsandler.com

Yorkshire

New and upcoming openings

Now open: new five-star Shepherds Hut, East Yorkshire

Little Otchan Shepherds Hut is a new glamping accommodation based just a few miles from the coastal town of Withernsea. With a log-burning stove and wrought iron fixings, it feels like a traditional shepherds hut - but with en suite bathroom, kitchen and outdoors fire pit. www.littleotchan.co.uk

Refurbs and expansions

The Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa to receive makeover

From the start of February 2017, guests to the Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, Bolton Abbey, will be able to enjoy enhanced spa facilities, with new treatments, facilities and design. www.thedevonshirearms.co.uk

New restaurant and bedrooms at The Grand Hotel and Spa, York, Early 2017

The Grand, one of York's top five-star hotels, will double its guestroom offering and add a new 140-seat restaurant by the end of 2017. The £15 million development project will see the Grade II-listed building connected to the adjacent Roman House, creating more than 100 additional bedrooms along with new spaces for meetings and corporate hospitality. The first phase of the development will be the opening of the new restaurant by early 2017, with the bedrooms being completed shortly after. The current 107 guestrooms will also be remodelled. www.thegrandyork.co.uk

Lake District & Cumbria

New and upcoming openings

Open now: Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat

Stunning holiday lodges and excellent facilities in a tranquil location. All holiday lodges will be fully equipped for self-catering and feature complimentary Wi-Fi. Facilities on site will include a spa complex, high quality bar/restaurant and gymnasium.

www.darwinescapes.co.uk/parks/keswick-reach-lodge-retreat

PR contact: marketing@darwinescapes.co.uk

Open now: new ‘Nests' at The Swan, Cumbria

The Swan has recently completed five brand new 'Nests'; cosy holiday cottages perfect for families or large groups looking for self-catering accommodation with all the benefits and amenities of the hotel. There are five Nests available, each with a unique design, from the Love Nest for a romantic getaway to the Dormouse Nest for up to eight people. www.swannests.com

Refurbs/expansions

Low Wood Bay, Cumbria, April 2017

Low Wood Bay in Cumbria will be closing during spring 2017 for a refurbishment - it will redevelop its existing rooms and add luxury rooms and suites. When it reopens in April, guests will be able to enjoy upgraded indoor and outdoor leisure facilities, a brand new luxury spa overlooking Lake Windermere and a choice of restaurants, which will include a new grill concept. Work will then continue building an additional 18 lake view rooms and suites, a brand new grill restaurant, a luxury spa, a new atrium, and a new block of 29 bedrooms and suites.

www.englishlakes.co.uk/hotels/lake-district-hotels/windermere-hotels/the-new-low-wood-bay-2017

South West: Bath, Bristol, Cornwall & Devon

New and upcoming openings

Now open: Infinity, Unique Home Stays, Cornwall

Occupying a prime cliff top position, this new build is the most recent addition to Unique Home Stays portfolio, and overlooks the waters and cove of Gorran Haven in Cornwall. This luxury self-catering beach house affords wraparound views of the ocean. The sleeping quarters stretch over two floors, in which memory foam mattresses and Egyptian cotton linens ensure a good night's sleep. On the lower ground floor guests will find one super king-size bedroom, three twin bedrooms, a WC and bathroom comprising a shower and bathtub. Infinity comes complete with a cinema room. www.uniquehomestays.com/self-catering/uk/cornwall/roseland-peninsula/infinity/

Now open: No.15 Great Pulteney, Bath

On Bath's grandest street, No.15 Great Pulteney will open as the city's newest boutique townhouse hotel, with 26 bedrooms, a cocktail bar and a private dining room. The idea is that guests will feel like they are staying at a true private residence and can check in via iPad. By night, there is Bar 15 to keep guests entertained. www.no15greatpulteney.co.uk

Bristol Harbour Hotel & Spa, spring 2017

The former headquarters of Lloyds Bank and Midland Bank on Corn Street in central Bristol reopened as the newly renovated Harbour Hotel in October 2016 and will add a further 22 rooms in spring 2017 along with an indulgent spa set in the former bank vaults. The hotel will blend the original, characterful architecture of the Old City with city views, roll-top baths. It also houses another award-winning Harbour Hotel Jetty restaurant. www.bristol-harbour-hotel.co.uk

Hampton by Hilton to open its first modular hotel, Bristol Airport, April 2017

Hampton by Hilton is developing Bristol Airport's first hotel - and it's to be a modular hotel. Think of a building that resembles a highly uniform game of Tetris. Portions of the hotel will be built in China before being shipped to Bristol, where the containers will be assembled by effectively slotting them together, accelerating on-site construction. There will be 201 rooms and parking for 120 cars, while guests can enjoy a 24-hour fitness room and a hot breakfast. www.hamptoninn3.hilton.com

The Guildhall Hotel, Bristol, December 2017

The Grade II-listed Guildhall and Assizes Courts in Bristol's old city is set to become the city's first five-star hotel, complete with 91 luxurious bedrooms, a spa and a rooftop swimming pool. With the removal of two storeys of flooring, the reception area will be restored to its original 1843 triple-height layout, and bedrooms will be adapted from towers and other existing architectural features such as stained glass windows, pitched roofs, dormer windows and the occasional statue of a famous judge. Even the historic prison cells in the hotel's basement will be converted for use as changing rooms for the luxury spa and gym. www.visitbristol.co.uk

Long lead

2017: Z Hotel, Bath

The hotel will offer 148 bedrooms and follow in the footsteps of all Z Hotels with luxury bed linen, 40" LED TVs, power showers and free high speed Wi-Fi throughout. There will also be complimentary cheese and wine each evening for guests. www.theZhotels.com

Suffolk & Norwich

New and upcoming openings

Open now: The Northgate, Suffolk

Part of the multi-award winning Chestnut Group, the Northgate has an opulent French theme running throughout its ten individually styled bedrooms that combine the buildings charming period features of original fireplaces and sash windows with modern twists of luxury. Expect free standing over-sized baths, decadent padded headboards, marble tiles, fine linen and ornate mirrors.

www.thenorthgate.com

Refurbs/expansions

The Maids Head, Norwich

The site of The Maids Head Hotel has been a place of hospitality since the early 12th Century, when the early Norman Bishops of Norwich established a guest house. The hotel claims to be the oldest in Britain. Its guests over the centuries have included The Black Prince (eldest son of King Edward III), Catherine of Aragon, Queen Elizabeth I and Admiral Lord Nelson. Having recently undergone an 18-month refurbishment, the hotel offers newly appointed suites. The Maids Head is located in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter, one of the most historic areas of the city with views from some rooms overlooking Norwich Cathedral. www.maidsheadhotel.co.uk

The Norfolk Mead, Norwich

The Norfolk Mead has introduced two new a spacious suites into its offer of individually appointed rooms. There is also the addition of a brand new spa with two treatment rooms. The Mead is located on the edge of the Broads with their own private Broad. www.norfolkmead.co.uk