Accommodation update - new openings and major refurbishments

SPRING 2014: Cheval Three Quays A collection of new luxury serviced apartments located next to the Tower of London, Cheval Three Quays will afford incredible views across the Thames towards Tower Bridge and City Hall. Designed for both short and extended stays, there will be a choice of 159 serviced and residential luxury apartments and penthouses. www.chevalresidences.comPR contacts: Sarah White sarah.white@fourbgb.com, Emma Howard-Smith emma.howard-smith@fourbgb.com and Debbie Hindle debbie.hindle@fourbgb.comSPRING 2014: The Mondrian Sea Containers House, South Bank Situated on the banks of the River Thames, Sea Containers House is being developed into the Mondrian London by the Morgans Hotel Group. It holds a striking presence between the OXO Tower and Blackfriars Bridge. Built in the 1970s Sea Containers House was originally intended as a luxury hotel, but ended up being used as offices instead. The hotel will be designed to embody the elegance of a transatlantic 1920s’ liner, combined with a healthy dose of 1980s post-modernism reference. The main lobby will feature a giant, external and internal copper-clad wall, inspired by the hull of a ship, which will run from outside the building and lead guests to the entrance hall within. The vast, 1500 m2, ground floor area includes two river-side restaurants and a breakfast bar.www.morganshotelgroup.comPR contacts for Morgans Hotel Group: Stevie King Stevie@purplepr.com and Kate Bell kate.bell@purplepr.com MAY 2014: The Hoxton Hotel, HolbornThe award-winning Hoxton Hotel in east London is heading central to High Holborn, where the Hoxton Holborn will open its doors in May 2014. The new site, located within a Grade II-listed building, will house 174 bedrooms over five floors in three different categories; comfy, cosy and tiny. Every guest can take advantage of the complimentary healthy breakfast bags by hanging a special paper bag outside the room door, filled over night with a granola yoghurt, banana and OJ. Its restaurants will include the Hoxton Grill, serving American classics, and the Chicken Shop. For some added pampering Cheeky Nails, Cowshed’s naughty little sister, will be in residence on the ground floor where guests can indulge in a manicure or stock up their beauty bags with Cheeky products.Hox Holborn will adhere to the brand’s “no rip-off” policy with free WiFi throughout, one hour of free phone calls to landlines (and US mobiles) in Britain, USA, Australia and most of Europe, a supermarket-priced lobby shop for everything from confectionery to champagne while fresh milk and mineral water will be free. Room rates are priced from £69.www.hoxtonhotels.com PR contact: Julia Pearson, Hoxton Hotels Jules@thehox.com MAY 2014: Ham Yard Hotel, SohoThe Ham Yard hotel is situated on a ¾ acre vacant site off Great Windmill Street in Soho that is being constructed from the ground up and is due to open in May 2014. Its 90 bedrooms and suites are individually designed by Kit Kemp, plus it will offer 24 residential apartments, 13 speciality retail stores, two drawing rooms, a restaurant and bar all centred around a leafy garden. There will be a small spa and several private event rooms including a 175-seat theatre/cinema with a stage and VIP balcony, plus a four-lane 1960s-style bowling alley along with a bar and dance floor. Up on the roof will be a Kitchen Garden growing seasonal produce including tomatoes, melons and blueberries, as well as a chicken coop!www.firmdalehotels.comPR contact: Jodie Tice JodieTice@firmdalehotels.comSUMMER 2014: The Beaumont Hotel, MayfairHoused within a Grade II-listed, Art Deco exterior, the décor of The Beaumont Hotel in the heart of Mayfair will be inspired by 1920s Manhattan; just one iconic element of the hotel will be the Antony Gormley inhabitable sculpture ‘Room’. The hotel will have 73 rooms and suites.www.thebeaumont.com PR contact: Jenny Mathieson, PR Director Jenny.Mathieson@thebeaumont.com SEPTEMBER 2014: The Lanesborough, Knightsbridge One of London’s most iconic five-star hotels is closing on 20 December for renovations. It will be auctioning every piece from its public spaces and 93 rooms in early December and is due to reopen in nine months. The new designs by interior designer, Alberto Pinto, will enhance all guest rooms and public areas and integrate the latest innovations while honouring the building’s architectural heritage as one of London’s most well-regarded Regency landmarks.www.lanesborough.comPR contact: Clare Gillespie Clare.Gillespie@luchfordapm.com SEPTEMBER 2014: hub by Premier Inn, St Martin’s Lane The Hub is tipped to be the most space-efficient hotel and will be the UK's first hotel where the rooms can be remote controlled using a smart phone app. Guests will be able to check in online and control the room’s lighting, temperature as well as what is on the radio/TV when they arrive. Each hotel will have its own deli-style restaurant serving local produce and guests will be able to pre-order breakfast using the 'hub' app.5 openings from Autumn 2014:St Martin's Lane - 167 beds, Autumn 2014 Goodge Street - 179 beds, early 2015 Great Tower St - 119 beds, early 2015 Spitalfields - 185 beds, early 2015 Kings Cross - 408 beds, early 2016PR contact: Sara Lincoln, Frank PR saralincoln@frankpr.it www.hubhotels.co.uk Date and details TBC. Nobu Hotel, Shoreditch Master sushi chef Nobu Matsuhisa is planning his first European hotel, the Willow Street Hotel in London's Shoreditch. The new hotel has been designed by Ron Arad Associates and will house 143 bedrooms and a statement restaurant: a dramatic five metre high space in the basement. The five storey hotel includes its own garden, while rooms are clustered around a central bathroom screened off by a full-height curved unit. http://nobuhospitality.com Date and details TBC. Pod Hotel, Trocadero Floors 3 - 7 of the Trocadero are set to be turned into Tokyo-style ‘pod’ hotel. The 495 bed ‘pod’ hotel will provide windowless rooms emulating those of a luxury cruise ship. Each room will be beautifully styled with high quality finishes; include a full double sized bed and en-suite high tech bathroom. The hotel will feature a destination rooftop bar and restaurant for the exclusive use of guests providing breath-taking views of the London skyline.PLUS – in case you missed it! Now open: Qbic, Brick Lane, East London In October, a brand new concept hotel opened its doors in one of London’s most vibrant areas. Located close to bustling Brick Lane and The City, Qbic Hotel London City offers a cool, affordable, urban experience for business and leisure travellers in the capital’s east end. Qbic successfully challenges the stereotypes of low cost hotels, featuring innovative design, sustainable practices and community initiatives. Qbic Hotel London City is in the heart of east London on Adler Street, less than a minutes walk from Aldgate East tube station. Rates start from £59 per room per night, inclusive of breakfast and free high-speed WiFi. In addition to stylish rooms and affordable rates, Qbic will offer a unique guest experience tailored to the local area including impromptu cookery sessions, temporary art exhibitions and local excursions with a twist, to ensure guests leave with a story.www.qbichotels.com PR contact: Kath Kay, PRCO kkay@prco.com 

ENGLAND

NOVEMBER 2013: The Raithwaite Estate, Whitby, North Yorkshire, Northern England Seven new luxury stone cottages offering private accommodation will be available on the Raithwaite Estate in Yorkshire, north England, from the end of November. Nestled within 100 acres of grounds, the cottages will complement the existing 73-bedroom hotel and will range from one bedroom spaces to four bedrooms. All have large living areas, fully-fitted country kitchens and private decked terraces. Unique features include arch windows, woodland views and fireplaces. A private chef will also be available to offer bespoke catering and guests can enjoy the Estate’s facilities including the Brace restaurant, Hunters restaurant, Poachers bar and the Spa at Raithwaite. www.raithwaiteestate.com PR contact Lucy Sambrook lucy@luxepr.com JANUARY 2014: Windermere Marina Village, Lake District, Cumbria, North-West England Exclusive new waterside penthouses boasting great views of northern England’s largest inland marina will be welcoming their first guests from January 2014. Part of a £3.5million investment in Windermere Marina Village, the 13 individually-styled properties suit groups of between two and ten people, and all have spacious, southerly-facing balconies or terraces.www.windermeremarinavillage.co.ukSPRING 2014: DoubleTree by Hilton, Liverpool, North-West England Liverpool’s DoubleTree by Hilton will be located within a Grade II-listed building first constructed in 1865 and will retain its architecturally significant features. The hotel will feature 87 bedrooms, a luxury spa and swimming pool, as well as a restaurant, residents’ lounge and a bar. PR contact: Cat Hamilton, Hamilton PR cat@hamilton-pr.com www.doubletreeliverpool.co.ukSPRING 2014: The Old Haberdashery, Cowes, Isle of Wight, South coast of EnglandThe Landmark Trust & Frances Charles Leisure have revealed their plans to open “a luxury house hotel with a difference” in Spring 2014. The property's classical structure is being used as the basis of the design “and will maintain the spirit of its past while being complemented with a fresh, contemporary twist.” The furniture will be an eclectic mix of antique and bespoke pieces alongside hand-picked artwork and objects d'art. http://oldhaberdashery.co.ukPR contact: Sue Emmerson, Visit Isle of Wight sue@visitwight.co.ukSPRING 2014: Kings Head Hotel, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, West England The King’s Head will re-open as a modern, elegant hotel following extensive refurbishment, and will offer 45 bedrooms, and an all-day dining option offering the best of modern British food. The 45 bedrooms will be individually designed in keeping with the character of the Grade II-listed building and there are plans for a subterranean spa with a number of treatment rooms for the enjoyment of both residential and local guests. It will be managed by The Vineyard Group.PR contact: Kara Hackett karahackett@the-vineyard.co.uk www.vineyardgroup.co.uk, www.kingshead-hotel.co.uk SPRING 2014: Pig on the Beach, Dorset, South-West England When the Pig on the Beach opens this coming Spring it will be located above Studland Bay in Dorset, one of the loveliest beaches in England. The 18th-century Manor House, which is a National Trust property, has slightly eccentric architecture and was originally the holiday home for the Bankes Family from nearby Kingston Lacey. Surrounded by 22 acres of farmland and bordering the coastal path, it has views of Old Harry Rocks and the Jurassic Coast. The Pig on the Beach will also feature a kitchen garden of home-grown produce.PR contact: samantha@joriwhitepr.co.uk www.thepighotel.com/on-the-beach MARCH 2014: Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchland, Northumberland, North-East England Blanchland’s newest and oldest hotel is due to open next Spring, with March earmarked as the opening month. Calcot Hotels will be working very closely with The Lord Crewe Trust and aim to re-create a high-quality inn with 21 rooms. The village of Blanchland grew out of the foundation of an abbey in 1165 and the Lord Crewe was used as the Abbots Guest House. Many of the bedrooms occupy part of the village square that housed the Abbey's refectory.www.lordcrewearms.co.ukPR contacts: Liz Clayton, Ash Marketing liz@ashmarketing.co.uk; Charlotte Doherty charlotte.doherty@virgin.net SEPTEMBER 2014: Aloft Hotel, Liverpool, North-West EnglandStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and its destination brand, Aloft Hotels, will open the brand new Aloft Liverpool in 2014. Aloft was created ‘to shake up the staid and traditional mid-market hotel sector’ and was the vision of W Hotels. The new hotel will be set in a Grade II-listed building and guestrooms will feature the brand’s signature high ceilings, oversized windows, a platform bed and large walk-in showers. The hotel will also have a re:mixSM lounge and wxyzSM bar where guests can mix and mingle.www.alofthotels.com PR contact: Sarah Whitham sarah.whitham@starwoodhotels.com OCTOBER 2014: Hotel Football, Manchester, North-West EnglandThe second brand to be launched and managed by GG Hospitality – a hotel concept combining a unique football theme with an individual identity and culture – Hotel Football will be located on the doorstep of Old Trafford football stadium and the home of Manchester United. Designed to be a fresh, contemporary venue using subtle references to football throughout guests will be inspired by the unique interior design and use of space whether they’re an avid football fan or an occasional follower of the game. There are plans for a functioning rooftop football pitch and the hotel is perfectly positioned for easy access to the football ground.www.hotelfootball.com PR contact: Caroline Gibson at Tangerine PR caroline.gibson@tangerine.com AUTUMN 2014: Heckfield Place, Hampshire, South England Built in the Georgian period and expanded in Victorian times, the new Heckfield Place manor house hotel has just been reunited with its 330-acre home farm. The hotel boasts 60 individually designed bedrooms, a historic walled garden of flowers, herbs and fruit trees, 65-seat subterranean screening room, cottages offering a variety of health and beauty experiences, a restaurant and a working farm with livestock and vegetables. www.heckfieldplace.com PR contact: Miles Nicholson miles.nicholson@heckfieldplace.com Date TBC. Living Architecture: The Secular Retreat, Devon, South-West England Leading architect Peter Zumthor is to create The Secular Retreat, accommodation dedicated to calm, reflection and perspective situated on top of a hill, with views onto the beautiful south Devon landscape. The design makes use of an original rammed concrete that gives the building a mass and scale characteristic of an example of ecclesiastical architecture.www.living-architecture.co.ukPress contact: press@living-architecture.co.uk Date TBC. Living Architecture: A House for Essex Living Architecture will also be working with FAT and artist Grayson Perry to build a unique house in the North Essex countryside. The house, near Wrabness on the North Essex coast, is both an artwork in itself and the setting for a number of works by Grayson Perry exploring the special character and unique qualities of Essex. The building has been designed to evoke a tradition of wayside and pilgrimage chapels. www.living-architecture.co.uk Press contact: press@living-architecture.co.uk Date TBC. Park Regis Birmingham, Central England The 300-room, four-star property Park Regis Birmingham, due to open in 2014, will be one of the most prominent in the city, providing guests easy access to The ICC, Brindleyplace and The Mailbox. Key features of the new property include a rooftop restaurant and cocktail bar, library, gym and spa. www.staywellgroup.com/hotels/united-kingdom/park-regis-birmingham Refur... NOW: Seckford Hall Hotel, Woodbridge, Suffolk, East England Housed within a beautiful 15th-century building, the Seckford Hall Hotel has completed the first phase of its renovation and refurbishment programme; the next phase will be ongoing over the next 18 months. Maintaining the spirit of the Tudor era, the four-star hotel is luxurious yet features up-to-date technology.www.seckford.co.uk PR Contact: Sonia Shelcott, MillRiver Publicity sonia@millriver.co.uk OPEN NOW: Crabwall Manor, Chester, North West England A stone’s throw away from the historic City of Chester, Crabwall Manor Hotel and Spa is a Grade 2 listed building that oozes history and charm. This beautiful hotel welcomes all who seek a truly relaxed escape, with fine food, fine wines and peaceful picturesque surroundings. The hotel has 48 individually designed bedrooms, an a la carte restaurant, a relaxing spa (currently under refurbishment) and leisure suite along with elegant, luxurious function suites. The Restaurant, public bar and events wing of the manor house are to be refurbished in January and February 2014.PR contact: Crabwall Manor Sales sales@crabwallmanorhotelandspa.com FEBRUARY 2014: Down Hall, Essex, East England54 bedrooms have been refurbished to retain the traditional feeling of Down Hall yet maintain contemporary style comforts. Down Hall is also undergoing extensive redevelopment of its leisure facilities, which include treatment rooms, manicure and pedicure bars, hydrotherapy areas, sauna, steam room and relaxation areas. www.downhall.co.uk MARCH 2014: The Old Parsonage, OxfordThis Oxford landmark building will reopen next March following an extensive refurbishment. The interior of all the bedrooms and bathrooms will be redesigned with an addition of five extra rooms overlooking the rear gardens. The bar will be brought up to date a new roof-top library will be available for guests to use. www.oldparsonage-hotel.co.ukPR contact: Louise Lobo louise@mogford.co.uk SPRING 2014: YHA Cambridge The YHA Cambridge reopens in Spring 2014 after a full refurbishment. The new building will include private ensuite bedrooms, a licensed café bar and dining room that will open to non-residents as well as guests.www.yha.org.ukPR contact: Sue Williams susanwilliams@yha.org.uk Recently opened:Signature Hotel, LiverpoolOpened earlier this summer, this Liverpool-based hotel offers themed floors such as James Bond and Sex and the City. You can hire a whole floor and the nightclub downstairs, which works well for guests staying for birthdays and other celebrations. The hotel is situated round the corner from the lively nightlife of Mathew Street and within walking distance of shopping centre Liverpool ONE.Signature Living is also behind the planned Titanic hotel, which is rumoured to be opening in the middle of next year. Hotel Chatter says ‘Albion House, the 19th-century building that was the home of the White Star Line in 1912 when the shipping line's Titanic sank, has stood empty for decades but was recently acquired by the development company Signature Living, who began work this month and hope to have the first part of the 350-room hotel and apartment building open by April.’www.signatureliving.co.uk/titanic Plus! In case you missed it:Opened September 2013: The Wild Rabbit, Cotswolds A new restaurant with rooms set in the heart of the Cotswolds, within the charming and tranquil village of Kingham. The building dates from 1750 and after a thorough renovation, The Wild Rabbit opened in September 2013. As well as having a beautiful restaurant and a traditional pub bar, there are 12 very comfortable, individually furnished bedrooms. The menu celebrates everything that is great about local produce and will reflect the changing seasons, showcasing game throughout the autumn. The light-filled bedrooms are named after woodland animals and are individually decorated, with large, handmade and luxurious beds. The furnishings and bed linen have all been carefully chosen to ensure a great night’s rest. Rooms have different colour palettes but all incorporate the traditional Cotswold stone-wall decoration that beforehand was hidden behind the plaster. Each room also has an individual bathroom that is filled with Bamford Bath & Body products. www.thewildrabbit.co.uk PR contact: Amelia Bird amelia@angelpublicity.com 

WALES

NOVEMBER 2013: Nanteos, Ceredigion, west Wales This Georgian house opened earlier this year and is still being renovated room by room, the latest of which were completed in November. The mansion dates back to the 13th century and is a Grade I-listed building full of history and character. Accommodation is provided in 14 individually designed luxury en-suite bedrooms, and a four-bedroomed Mews House.www.nanteos.com/history.php PR contact: Alexandra Marr amarr@alexandramarr.comSPRING 2014: 17th century Hensol Castle to open for exclusive hire, just outside CardiffHensol Castle, situated just outside of Cardiff, has announced it is to open its doors for exclusive hire, corporate events and meetings in spring 2014. Part of the Vale Resort’s meeting and events portfolio, the gothic, 17th century, Grade I listed building is set in landscaped gardens encompassing a 15-acre lake and serpentine pond. www.vale-hotel.comEASTER 2014: Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, South Wales The Celtic Manor Resort will open ten new luxury holiday lodges next year in a major £4.3m development. The lodges will all sleep up to eight people in four double or twin bedrooms. This is the first phase in a potential development of 60; the large log cabins will be known as Hunter Lodges and will be situated close to Celtic Manor’s Twenty Ten Course, with views across the Usk Valley. They will also overlook the 16th and 17th holes where Graeme McDowell won the Ryder Cup for Europe in 2010.The lodges, in their secluded, rural setting, will be aimed primarily at the family market for three or four-night or week-long leisure and activity stays. All will have open-plan living areas with high windows and ceilings, and include lounge, dining and kitchen spaces, and every lodge will also have its own sauna and outdoor decking with covered jacuzzi. PR contact: Paul Williams, PR Manager paulwilliams@celtic-manor.com Refurbishments: Black Lion, New Quay, Ceredigion, West Wales The famous Black Lion Inn was one of the famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas’ favourite haunts. Completely refurbished by new owners earlier this summer, the Inn contains a good collection of photos and local information relating to Dylan Thomas. www.blacklionnewquay.co.uk PR contact: Alexandra Marr amarr@alexandramarr.comY Talbot