Accommodation Update September 2015

New and upcoming openings Late Summer 2015: Skeabost Hotel, Isle of Skye, Scotland
The stately Skeabost House, a few minutes' drive from Portree, the Isle of Skye's main town, has opened. Skeabost, set in 23 acres of woodland, is the only hotel on Skye with its own golf course - a nine-hole, 18-tee shoreline challenge. Fishing is available on a salmon river that runs through the hotel grounds. The 14-bedroom hotel, built in 1870 as a hunting lodge, is on the edge of Loch Snizort with views over the sea and to the surrounding crofting townships of Bernisdale and Tote.
www.skeabosthotel.com

Late Summer 2015: Rockliffe Hall, Durham, north-east England
Set within 375 acres on the banks of the River Tees, near the village of Hurworth, 18th-century red-brick mansion Rockliffe Hall has 61 elegant guest bedrooms, three restaurants and an award-winning spa. Spread over 50,000 square feet, the spa features eight thermal rooms and a 20-metre pool (complete with spa butlers to keep guests refreshed with champagne and freshly-squeezed juices). The five-star hotel's extensive grounds are home to an impressive championship golf course and a brand-new landscaped Spa Garden, which features a hydrotherapy pool, Jacuzzi, decked lounging area, fire pit, water feature and sweeping views across the estate.
www.rockliffehall.com

Late Summer 2015: Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa, Cumbria, north-west England
Situated close to Keswick on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake, in the beautiful Lake District, four-star Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa has 46 individually-designed bedrooms with lake, park or garden views. The former stately home is set in 400 acres of deer park and woodland and is framed by the dramatic Skiddaw Mountains and Lake District fells. The hotel offers informal, contemporary dining in The Courtyard Bar and Brasserie as well as fine dining in the Lake View Restaurant, renowned for showcasing local seasonal produce. The serene spa boasts a thermal suite, ten treatment rooms and scenic views from the infinity pool and outdoor hot tub.
www.prideofbritainhotels.com/armathwaite_hall

For further information contact Julia Farish, Camilla Colley or Sue Ockwell: j.farish@travelpr.co.uk, c.colley@travelpr.co.uk or s.ockwell@travelpr.co.uk.

September 2015: The Waldorf Hilton, LondonOne of London's most famous hotels in the heart of West End theatre land, the Waldorf Hilton, has been given a £13.5 million hotel-wide renovation, restoring the hotel's elegant 1920s Edwardian style. The hotel first opened its grand doors in 1908 and is now a Grade II listed building. The hotel-wide renovation encompassed all 298 guestrooms, seven meeting rooms and event spaces, including the iconic Palm Court, Good Godfrey's Bar and the Adelphi Suite.

The guest rooms design has been inspired by the glamour of the 1920s-style and elegance is reflected in features such as antique brass metalwork, silver-leaf and mirrors. The bathrooms have been designed with a monochrome palette of white ceramic tiles, black trim and nickel fittings to reflect the 1920s era. And, a hotspot for dancing and socialising since the hotel opened in 1908, the Palm Court has been restored to its former Edwardian glory.
www.waldorfhilton.co.uk

For further information contact Kara Smith: Kara.Smith@Hilton.com or Michael Mumford: michael.mumford@grayling.com

September 2015: Ibis Styles hotel Crewe, Emperor Way, Crewe, north-west England *Value*Ibis Styles hotel Birmingham Airport NEC hotel, central England *Value*

Two new ibis Styles hotels have opened - ibis Styles Crewe hotel and ibis Styles hotel Birmingham Airport NEC hotel.

Combining historical and cultural aspects of the local area the Crewe hotel theme takes inspiration from 1920's transportation - a nod to the local Rolls Royce and Bentley factories that spearheaded the country's car manufacturing industry. Seats in the hotel bar are sourced from real vintage cars while train murals and railway inspired panelled headboards adorn the bedrooms. Fabrics throughout the hotel are decorated with patterns and shapes in the design of train carriage seats.

Ibis Styles hotel Birmingham's theme takes inspiration from the city's position as one of the major transport hubs of England and the hotel funky design features from the 1960s.
www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-9548-ibis-styles-crewe-now-open/index.shtml, www....

For further information contact Caroline Lott: caroline@housepr.com

September 2015: Harlech Apartments, Cardigan Bay, west Wales Menai Holiday Cottages has unveiled new accommodation at Harlech Castle with five luxury apartments offering a window onto the 13th century fortress - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The accommodation has been developed at the site of a former hotel just a stone's throw from Harlech Castle's twin-towered gatehouse and castle walls. The ground floor of the new development has been transformed into a visitor centre, while the first and second floors have been turned into five luxury apartments, each sleeping up to two people.www.menaiholidays.co.uk/harlech-cottages

For further information contact Louise McWatt: loumcwatt@gmail.com

September 2015: Crowne Plaza Newcastle - Stephenson Quarter, Newcastle, north-east England The 251-bedroom four-star Crowne Plaza in the Stephenson Quarter, located next to Newcastle Central Station features a spa and wellbeing centre, restaurant, banqueting suite and bar area plus a dedicated Gin Bar, where guests can create or re-engineer their own gin-based cocktails. St James' Park, home of Newcastle United Football Club, the Centre for Life, the Metro Radio Newcastle Arena and the City's attractions, shops, theatres and nightlife, are all within walking distance.
www.crowneplaza.com/hotels/gb/en/newcastle-upon-tyne

September 2015: Harrogate West Park Travelodge, North Yorkshire, north England *Value*
Travelodge has opened its second hotel in the spa town of Harrogate in North Yorkshire. The new 70-room hotel, Harrogate West Park, which has a Bar Café is located on Tower Street within walking distance of the town's main shopping area. All rooms feature the king size Travelodge Dreamer Beds and Truckle beds for children.
www.travelodge.co.uk

For further information contact Daisy Whitfield-Davis: pressoffice@travelodge.co.uk

October 2015: Genting Hotel at Resorts World Birmingham, central EnglandResorts World Birmingham, the UK's first integrated leisure and entertainment complex, opening in October, will include the Genting Hotel, a 178 room four-star hotel and spa in Birmingham.

The hotel will also offer five five-star suites situated on the top floor of the building and a spa and, as well as a range of internationally-themed restaurants and bars at their fingertips, hotel guests will have access to the new 11-screen IMAX cinema and shopping outlets all under one roof.www.gentinghotel.co.uk/resorts-world-birmingham

For further information contact Rebecca Bannister: Rebecca.bannister@marketingbirmingham.com

Early November 2015: El Patron Isle of Wight, south EnglandFollowing in the footsteps of tequila bar, El Patron London, the Isle of Wight site will take the El Patron experience further with the opening of Europe's first tequila hotel.

El Patron Isle of Wight will open in the historic Charter House - a striking red brick, grade II building in St Thomas's Square, and will include a large outdoor area for guests. The upstairs boutique hotel will consist of six bespoke Mexican styled rooms, each themed around a different drink from El Patron's extensive tequila menu, where every room will have its own individual cocktail-set for guests to get the full tequila experience. In the bar section, there will be live music and DJs from Wednesday to Saturday, playing a mix of Latino-inspired hits, plus there will be live music every Sunday, during the day.http://elpatronlondon.com/

For further information contact Katrina Kuchinsky: katrina@kkcom.co.uk

November 2015: Twr y Felin, St David's, Pembrokeshire, west WalesTwr y Felin Hotel is being restored and extended to reopen as a luxury contemporary hotel in October 2015. Located in the heart of Britain's smallest city St David's, just a ten-minute walk from Caerfai Bay, it lies within the surrounding landscape of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

It will offer 20 ensuite luxury bedrooms, a bar and restaurant plus a lounge named Oriel (Welsh for gallery). Twr y Felin Hotel will join a select group of UK Art Hotels with a collection of more than 100 pieces of art and sculpture. Leading British urban artists including Phlash, Mr Jago, Xenz and Remi Ruff, Harry Adams and Pure Evil will be represented as well as Welsh artists such as John Uzzell Edwards, Brendan Burns and leading ceramist Adam Buick.

Originally a Windmill built in 1806 Twr y Felin is a unique building whose character has been preserved, which is especially evident in the tower bedrooms. The upper tower suite offers three storeys of luxury with its spacious bedroom and ensuite bathroom, while on the top floor the observatory offers panoramic views over the St David's Peninsula and its surrounding bays and islands.www.retreatsgroup.com

For further information contact Paula Ellis: paula.ellis@retreatsgroup.com

November 2015: Amba Hotel, London Amba Hotel Marble Arch will reopen in November, bringing the hotel groups occupancy offer to almost 1,000 bedrooms in the heart of central London. The Marble Arch hotel has undergone a multi-million pound refurbishment - all 692 bedrooms and studio apartments are being fully refurbished.www.amba-hotel.com/hotels/united_kingdom/london/marble-arch/index.html

For further information contact Alice Perry: amba@launchpr.co.uk

Autumn 2015: King Street Townhouse, Manchester, north-west England
Work on the fifth venue in Eclectic Hotels' portfolio is underway, with King Street Townhouse set to open in summer 2015. The Grade II-listed building, located within the Upper King Street conservation area of Manchester, will be home to Eclectic Hotels' second city centre hotel. Facilities will include 40 bedrooms and suites, King Street Tavern (bar, restaurant and wine cellars) and afternoon tea rooms.

The Eclectic Hotels' group Manchester-located properties comprise Great John Street, the former Atherton street old school house, Didsbury House and Eleven Didsbury Park hotels, both previously Victorian Villas, and On the 7th members' club at MediaCityUK.www.kingstreettownhouse.co.uk

For further information contact: Eleri Roberts at Rococo PR Eleri.roberts@rococogroup.co.uk

Autumn 2015: Nadler Hotel, Victoria, London Nadler Hotels has announced it will launch its fourth property this autumn. Located next to Buckingham Palace in Victoria, the hotel will offer 73 luxurious bedrooms, all with the signature Nadler style, including mini kitchens. The hotel chain already has properties in Kensington and Soho, as well as Liverpool, north-west England.www.thenadler.com/hp/the-nadler-victoria

For further information contact Steve Stuart: steve.stuart@thenadler.com

Late 2015: Kedleston Country House, Derbyshire, central England Set in the countryside of the Kedleston Estate near Derby, Kedleston Country House is scheduled to open later this year as a five-bedroom boutique hotel. Each of the rooms, boasting views of the estate, has been individually designed to offer "modern country elegance". The iconic grade II listed building has been transformed in a joint venture between the Derby Brewing Company and the Kedleston Estate's Curzon family. The Hall was used as a key location for The Duchess, the Hollywood blockbuster starring Keira Knightley.www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kedleston-hall

For further information contact Sally Davies: sally.davies@nationaltrust.org.uk

Winter 2015: Z Hotels, London Z Hotels will be adding two new properties to its portfolio, Z Shoreditch and Z Gloucester Place, at the end of 2015 with four more openings in early 2016. The compact-design rooms will offer guests 40" LED TVs with Sky Sports and Movies at no extra cost, plus free high speed Wi-Fi throughout. There will also be complimentary cheese and wine each evening for guests.www.theZhotels.com

For further information contact: Shoreditch@zhotels.com

Winter 2015: Hilton Hotel, Bournemouth, Dorset, south-west England
An £85million scheme will see a new four-star Hilton Hotel open in Bournemouth town centre. It will boast 172 bedrooms, a skybar, leisure club, swimming pool, conferencing facilities and a café.www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/hilton-bournemouth-BOHTMHI/index.html

For further information contact Rochelle Mossack: rochelle.mossack@hilton.com

Early 2016: Safestay Edinburgh, Scotland *Value* Safestay Hostels will open its fourth luxury hostel in Edinburgh in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town and close to the Royal Mile. A 132-room, 615-bed hostel and student accommodation scheme it has 272 beds available for hostel use throughout the year. The property, which comprises eight floors, has a bar and lounge with an outside courtyard and split-level terrace.

All Safestay hostels feature private twin rooms and family rooms with 40" plasma TVs and tea/coffee facilities, as well as four-, six-, eight- and larger bunk bedded rooms, most with en-suite shower rooms. The bunk beds come with individual reading lights and curtains for extra privacy as well as lockers to secure luggage and personal items. Entry to the rooms is by touch key.

The hostel will continue to trade under its existing Smart City Hostel name while undergoing refurbishment and will be rebranded as Safestay Edinburgh in early 2016.www.safestay.com

For further information contact Amanda Gore-Booth: mandy@pilot-pr.com

January 2016: Pullman Hotel, Liverpool, north-west England 
The four-star Pullman Liverpool is earmarked to open on the site of exhibition centre ACC Liverpool in autumn next year.

Integrated with ACC Liverpool's new interconnected sister venue, Exhibition Centre Liverpool, Pullman Liverpool will be the second Pullman hotel in the UK, and the first outside of London. It will offer 216 bedrooms, free wifi and is located close to the city centre and all major transport links.www.pullmanhotels.com

For further information contact: Jennifer Cole, Jennifer.COLE@accor.com

February 2016: InterContinental London - The O2, Greenwich, London The new InterContinental® London - The O2 is scheduled to open in early 2016, rooms will be bookable from 1 February 2016. The luxury 453-bedroom 18-storey hotel and conference centre currently in construction as part of a 7.6 acre development scheme on the Greenwich Peninsula, a destination enjoying a huge surge in visitors following the 2012 Olympic regeneration project.

With its enviable position on the banks of the River Thames, visitors can enjoy views of the water and neighbouring Canary Wharf. The hotel's location also benefits from easy riverboat access into Greenwich Pier and is only 400m from North Greenwich tube station where guests can reach London's West End within 15 minutes. London City Airport, carrying more than 3 million visitors each year and serving the many business travellers into Canary Wharf and the City of London, is within six miles of the hotel.

Facilities at the InterContinental London - The O2 include a luxury spa, hotel bar, two restaurants - comprising a fine dining and all-day dining experience - as well as a 18th floor Sky Bar boasting an uninterrupted, panoramic view across the water to Canary Wharf and beyond.http://iclondon-theo2.com/#/

For further information contact Leah Eser or Julia Gosling: Leah.eser@daviestanner.co.uk / Julia.gosling@daviestanner.co.uk

February 2016: Mercure London Hyde Park Hotel, London Overlooking a peaceful garden square in elegant Paddington, Mercure Hyde Park Hotel is a two-minute walk from Paddington Station and five-minute walk from London's iconic Hyde Park. A charming, classic English style townhouse, the hotel has a popular bar and comfortable rooms, designed with the contemporary/traditional British feel. www.mercure.com/gb/hotel-A002-mercure-london-hyde-park-hotel-opening-oct...

For further information contact: Charlotte Bourgeois charlotte.bourgeois@accor.com

Long-lead:

Opening 2016: Millennium Bailey's Hotel, South Kensington, London The Millennium Bailey's Hotel London, which dates back to 1876, is currently undergoing a refurbishment of all guest rooms and public areas. Each floor of the hotel will be decorated differently following an individual theme, reflecting different facets of London life and living through the ages. These themes include the timeless elegance of the dapper City Gent, the exotic beauty of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and Henley Regatta's unique blend of sporting prowess and high society. The first phase, inspired by the Great Exhibition of 1851, is now complete with two floors of guest bedrooms already available for booking with the remainder due for completion later this year.www.millenniumhotels.co.uk/millenniumbaileys

For further information contact Sarah Schmid sarah.schmid@millenniumhotels.com

Opening 2016: Moor Hall, restaurant with rooms, Aughton, Lancashire, north-west EnglandMichelin-starred chef Mark Birchall will launch a new restaurant and hotel, Moor Hall, in Aughton, west Lancashire, in 2016. An impressive Grade II listed 16th century house, set in a five-acre site with views over a beautiful lake, said to be the remains of a medieval moat, Moor Hall is an important listed building Once the development is completed there will be a 50-seat restaurant and a private dining room for 12. Seven large bedrooms will be created (five in the main house and two in the gatehouse nearby).

The chef, Mark Birchall, was most recently executive chef at Michelin two-starred L'Enclume in Cartmel, Cumbria.www.moor-hall.co.uk

For further information contact Lena Grivakes: lena@networklondonpr.com

Opening 2016: Four Seasons to move into Ten Trinity Square, LondonFour Seasons Hotels and Resorts, along with multinational developer Reignwood Group, are to open a 98-room Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square in the City of London as well as 41 private residences and a private members' club. It will be located within the redeveloped former Port of London Authority building, and will be Four Season's third hotel in London (the two others are based in Canary Wharf and Park Lane). The property will also feature two gourmet restaurants and a spa.www.fourseasons.com

For further information contact Anna Dickinson at PRCo: adickinson@prco.com

Opening 2016: The Secular Retreat, Devon, south-west EnglandLiving Architecture - the group behind Grayson Perry's A House for Essex, who offer visitors holiday homes designed by renowned architects - has asked leading architect Peter Zumthor to create The Secular Retreat. On top of a hill, with endless views onto the rolling south Devon landscape, Zumthor has designed a haven from the pressures of modern life, a space dedicated to calm, reflection and perspective. The design makes use of an original rammed concrete that gives the building a mass and scale characteristic of a timeless example of ecclesiastical architecture. It's located between the resorts of Salcombe and Hallsands in south Devon and will open next year.www.living-architecture.co.uk

Opening April 2016: The Swan @ Hay Hotel, Hay-on-Wye, Welsh bordersThe Swan @ Hay Hotel, in the book capital of Hay-on-Wye, will undergo a full refurbishment programme following the purchase by new owners who plan a major project to re-roof and refurbish the property. The hotel will continue to run until January when it will close for a full refurbishment, reopening at the end of April 2016.www.swanathay.co.uk

For further information contact Duncan Foulkes: duncan.foulkes@btinternet.comOpening late 2016: Urban Villa Edinburgh, Scotland Designed by New York architects Grzywinski + Pons, Urban Villa Edinburgh is poised to be Urban Villa's landmark boutique hotel, comprised of 183 luxurious suites, 8,000 square feet of restaurant and bar/lounge space, overlooking Union Canal with direct views of Edinburgh castle. The hotel has been designed to play homage to Edinburgh's elegant cultural fabric while infusing elements of Manhattan and London style.

Each suite has been designed to include a fully fitted kitchen, living room and with half of the suites housing waterfront balconies.www.urbanvilla.com

For further information contact Eric Jafari: Eric.Jafari@unionhanover.com

Opening 2017: The Trocadero centre in London's West End being turned into budget hotel *Value*
Hotel operator Accor has started work on the 583-room Ibis Styles Piccadilly Circus hotel, which is due to open in 2017 on the site between Shaftesbury Avenue and Coventry Street. The group also announced they would be opening an 80-room hotel in Leicester Square under their MGallery brand by 2016.

The new Ibis Styles Piccadilly Circus will serve breakfast, which is included in the room rate, and have a bar but no full service restaurant.www.ibis.com

For further information contact Sophie Black at PRCo: sblack@prco.com

Opening 2017: Radisson Red Hotel Glasgow, Scotland Europe's first Radisson Red hotel, The Radisson Red Hotel Glasgow, will open in the city's West End in 2017. The 176-room property will be the first new-build development for the chain in Europe and will be a flagship for the brand. Besides the guest rooms, the Radisson Red will comprise a "Redeli" restaurant and a "Oui" bar; a gallery and a gym. The site of the hotel is only 300 metres away from the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) that includes the Clyde Auditorium and the Hydro concert arena. It will welcome its first guests in 2017.www.radissonred.com

For further information contact Renu Snehi: renu.snehi@carlsonrezidor.com

Recent openings and refurbs

July 2015: Bert's Barges, London *Quirky*A new boutique barge hotel brand, Bert's Barges, has launched its first ‘city barge' moored on the Regent's canal in Hackney, east London. The barge offers guests a one-bedroom luxury floating suite, a large living/ dining area, kitchen, flat screen TV, underfloor heating, wood-burning stove and a large bathroom with walk-in shower. The location allows guests easy access to east London's thriving creative art and design scene; there are also plans to expand to other city locations, such as Bristol in west England and York in north England.www.bertsbarges.com

For information contact Fiona Reece: fiona@fionareece.com

July 2015: The Lanesborough, London
Following an extensive refurbishment The Lanesborough welcomed back its first guests in July.

The new designs imagined by renowned interior designer, Alberto Pinto, enhance all guest rooms and public areas. The project marked one of Alberto's final ventures, before his death at the end of 2012, and sees his legacy lives on at The Lanesborough. The refurbishment extends to all areas of the hotel including the 93 guest rooms and all public areas. Acclaimed Apsleys unveiled an elegant new look, The Garden Room has resumed its position as one of the capital's most glamorous outdoor areas and The Library Bar as one of London's leading bars. www.lanesborough.com

For more information contact Clare Gillespie: clare.gillespie@luchfordapm.com

July 2015: 24 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland
Designed by the famous architect William Playfair in the 1820s, the 16-bedroom hotel in Edinburgh has undergone a million pound overhaul and opened under new ownership. The restoration has retained the original architectural features of the building while introducing a contemporary interior design. In close proximity to the town centre, the hotel backs onto the Royal Gardens of Holyrood Palace and Calton Hill with commanding views across to the Firth of Forth.

The rooms vary from spacious apartment suites to affordable single rooms. Bedrooms are kitted out with several high-tech features such as high-speed internet, Samsung Smart TVs, and technology to allow guests to stream media from their devices or Netflix accounts.The hotel features a private, original art collection estimated to be worth £500,000. The collection includes works by John Bratby, Robin Philipson, Sir Terry Frost and John Cunningham as well as Scottish artists John Bellany, Peter Howson, Steven Campbell, Henry Kondracki and John Houston, plus a selection of aboriginal art.

rt's bar serves Scottish and continental breakfast in the morning, to tapas in the evening, and a varied lunch menu throughout the day. A champagne afternoon tea is also on offer at rt's, which also serves a fine range of whiskies, playing to Royal Terrace's historical nickname, ‘Whisky Row', a reference to the number of spirit merchants who lived on the terrace when it was newly built.www.24royalterrace.com

For more information contact Vicky Goodall at P1 Communications: vicky.goodall@p1communications.com

July 2015: The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Bath, south-west England Launched in July, the UK's first hotel to feature its own natural thermal water spa, The Gainsborough Bath Spa has revealed its ‘Bath Circuit' concept. Tapping into the city's subterranean springs, extolled for their healing properties since ancient Rome, the 99-room luxury hotel has reimagined traditional bathhouses with a contemporary twist.

Reviving the ancient practise of social bathing, The Gainsborough Bath Spa has created a brand new spa concept: a one hour ‘Bath Circuit'. A ritualised self-guided tour of the thermal pools, saunas, steam room, ice chambers and elegant relaxation rooms, visitors will embark on a bathing journey akin to ancient Rome. The hotel's private water reserve bubbles to the surface at 47 degrees centigrade, packed full of rich natural minerals. Powered by a reserve drawn from nearby Hetling Spring - the same source to serve the ancient Roman baths - the water's restorative powers are ever-present in the spa's abundant facilities. These include three thermal pools of varying different temperatures, 11 treatment rooms, infrared and traditional saunas, an ice fountain and eucalyptus steam room. Executive suites with secluded couples' facilities and Asian-inspired therapies are also available, as well as private yoga sessions in the thermal waters or yoga grotto. www.thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk

For more information contact: Lallie Fraser lallie@grifcopr.com and Emily@grifcopr.com

July 2015: Llandudno Bay Hotel, Llandudno, north WalesThe redevelopment of a historic hotel on Llandudno's East Parade has led to the opening of the 61-room, boutique Llandudno Bay Hotel this summer. Guests can enjoy views across the Llandudno Bay, dine on menus created using locally sourced ingredients and a bar offering a varied selection of Welsh ales, wines and spirits.
www.llandudnobayhotel.com

For more information contact Kevin Baxter marketing@llandudnobayhotel.com

July 2015: Foyles Glasbury, Powys, mid WalesA ‘restaurant with rooms' has opened in the picturesque village of Glasbury-on-Wye, featuring 12 bedrooms and 100 covers in the restaurant. Glasbury is around 90 minutes' drive from the capital Cardiff. www.facebook.com/pages/Foyles-Glasbury/1609302912689467

August 2015 (completing spring 2016): Flemings Mayfair, LondonFleming Mayfair's extensive refurbishment, due to be complete in spring 2016, includes 129 new-look deluxe bedrooms, suites and apartments, a sophisticated bar, and a brand new restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Shaun Rankin - due to open in spring 2016. One of the oldest family owned hotels in London, Flemings Mayfair opened in 1851 and offers luxury accommodation in one of London's most prestigious neighbourhoods, moments from Green Park, Piccadilly and a short walk from Buckingham Palace. www.flemings-mayfair.co.uk/

For further information contact Emma Roche: emma@rochecom.com

August 2015: Vermont Aparthotel, Newcastle, north-east England
Boasting 11 luxury apartments, including two penthouse suites on the cosmopolitan Newcastle Quayside, every spacious apartment of the Vermont Aparthotel has been individually decorated. These luxury serviced apartments are all available on a nightly basis. At the Vermont ApartHotel guests benefit from the convenience and service of the close by Vermont Hotel while enjoying the privacy of an apartment.http://vermontaparthotel.com

For more information contact: info@vermont-hotel.co.uk

August 2015: Hilton London Bankside
Hilton London Bankside made its debut in August 2015. Moments from Tate Modern the Hilton London Bankside is close to Shakespeare's Globe, Borough Market and the Tower of London. The hotel has 292 contemporary rooms and suites, and vibrant dining that includes a bar and restaurant with show kitchen. It also has a lap pool and extensive gym facilities. www.hilton.com/london

For more information contact: Trevor Owen trevor.owen@conradstjames.com

August 2015: Safestay Holland Park, London *Value*
Luxury hostel brand Safestay is now taking bookings for Safestay Holland Park, the group's third hostel opening, (there are two others in London's Elephant & Castle and in York, north England) in August.

The stylish, comfortable and affordable accommodation features 29 rooms and private rooms - there is free wifi in the communal areas. Most rooms are ensuite and two of the rooms have private terraces.

Set within one of London's most prestigious parks and prime residential areas, Safestay Holland Park is located within the East Wing of the original Jacobean building, Holland House. Safestay also occupies the 1950s' extension and the central private courtyard and garden. Within this extension, Safestay has embraced the 1950s era with retro furniture, fittings, wallpaper and advertising posters. The pool room overlooking the garden has a bespoke digital wall-covering of the Queen's face made up of tiny photographs.www.safestay.com

For more information contact Amanda Gore-Booth at Pilot PR mandy@pilot-pr.com

Summer 2015: St Mawes Hotel, Cornwall, south-west England
Following a full refurbishment, the St Mawes Hotel relaunched this summer. Its location, in the centre of the Cornish village of St Mawes, less than an hour's drive from Newquay, makes it a real hub for locals and visitors. It has a lively and informal bar and restaurant, serving local food in a relaxed environment, as well as seven light, country-chic style designed rooms. www.stmaweshotel.com

For more information contact Calum Donoghue: calum.donoghue@luchfordapm.com

Summer 2015: Glasgow Metro Youth Hostel, Glasgow *Value*
Up until 30 August, the Glasgow Metro Youth Hostel was open within The Glasgow School of Art's Margaret Macdonald House, just minutes from Glasgow city centre. During the summer months, Scotland Youth Hostelling Association (SYHA) ran the student residence accommodation as a youth hostel, suitable for individuals, families and groups. This is in addition to SYHA's existing Glasgow Youth Hostel in the West End which is open all year round. All 115 of the bedrooms are single and almost 50% of the rooms are ensuite. Free wifi is included.www.syha.org.uk

For more information contact Paddy Cuthbert paddy@littlehousemedia.uk.com

August 2015: Shankly Hotel, Liverpool, north-west England
The hotel, dedicated to Liverpool FC manager Bill Shankly, opened in August and features a Bill Shankly museum that exhibits family memorabilia. A bar and sports-themed restaurant is now also open and pays tribute to different stages of Bill Shankly's life.

Each room throughout the hotel features stories not just from the Shankly family, but from former Liverpool players and football fans, who each have a story to tell about the late Bill Shankly. The building, which once served as Liverpool council offices, also features a Signature Living hotel, a rooftop garden with an infinity pool, two 175-seat restaurants and a corkscrew slide, which are scheduled to open in 2016.http://shanklyhotel.com

For further information contact: press@shanklyhotel.com

Summer 2015: The Laslett, Notting Hill, London
London - The Laslett, a new hotel by Living Rooms, opened its doors in London's Notting Hill this summer. Taking its name from well-loved local Rhaune Laslett - a community activist and organiser of the original Notting Hill Festival, which went on to become the Carnival - The Laslett "takes inspiration from the area's vibrant cultural heritage while also capturing its new wave of creative cool". The hotel's location not only places guests at the lively heart of West London, but at the doorstep of everything that central London has to offer, with the West End ten minutes away.

The 51 bedrooms are furnished by British designers including Pinch and Race Furniture, which sits alongside more personal quirks - books for bedtime reading, cosy blankets, curiosities from local antiques dealers, and curated photographs and artworks on the walls.www.thelaslett.co.uk

PR contact: Bacchus PR holly@bacchus-pr.com and bethany@bacchus-pr.com

Igloo Hybrid Ho[s]tel, Nottingham, central England *Value*Igloo Hybrid Ho[s]tel brings a new independent and quirky place to stay in the centre of Nottingham. The boutique hostel offers a range of rooms from mixed dorms to private doubles each with an individual style. The living areas are furnished with repurposed pieces of furniture found from local flea markets and are great for evenings in. www.igloohostel.co.uk/igloo-hybrid/

For further information contact: hybrid@igloohostel.co.uk

Hotel Indigo, York, north EnglandA new boutique hotel, Hotel Indigo York, opened this summer. Its 101 individually designed rooms reflect the city's strong chocolate heritage in its décor and ambience. The hotel even has York's first speciality meatball restaurant, The Yorkshire Meatball Co. www.hotelindigoyork.co.uk

Carden Park, Cheshire, north-west EnglandSet in 1,000 acres of scenic Cheshire countryside, the Carden Park hotel has recently undergone a £4million refurbishment. It now has a renovated spa and a state-of-the-art gym, which joins the two golf courses, vineyard and award-winning restaurants. The hotel also includes a crazy golf course and a climbing ropes course.www.cardenpark.co.uk

Two Hoots Campsite, Hampshire, south-west England Two Hoots Campsite has introduced Shepherd's huts to its campsite. The huts are built with traditional wood panelling inside and additional insulation for all winter glamping, with French doors in the centre, and will also have homely facilities, with heating and electricity. The adult-only escape is close to the famous Watercress Steam Railway, quaint Georgian town of Aresford.www.twohootscampsite.co.uk/shepherdshuts.html

Soho Farmhouse, Oxfordshire, south EnglandSoho House opened its latest outpost in Great Tew, Oxfordshire, joining Babington House as one of only two English country retreats by the exclusive group. Forty cabins of different sizes and styles, a boathouse with an indoor/outdoor pool that flows into a lake, a Cowshed spa, farm shop and deli, electric barn cinema and much more can be found across the 100 acre site. www.sohofarmhouse.com

Hobbit House, Yorkshire, north-east EnglandLord of the Rings fans are now able to experience a little bit of The Shire, at Golden Hill Farm in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. Potts Corner features a green round porthole-like door, stained glass windows and even a grass roof. The cozy retreat sleeps six, and contains all amenities such as cooking facilities, a log burner and a roll-top free-standing bath. www.northshire.co.uk

Ramside Hall, Durham City, County Durham, north-east EnglandRamside Hall has opened a luxury spa and 47 new deluxe rooms. The multi-million pound spa has a range of facilities including a 25-metre swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool, saunas and a range of steam rooms, as well an infinity pool spa, a caldarium - a hot plunge pool - and a Rasul mud chamber. Its spa forms part of significant expansion at the four-star country house hotel, with the additional bedrooms bringing the total up to 128. The development follows the opening on an 18-hole championship golf course earlier this year at the hotel.www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk

More accommodation news

*New Experiences*

Boutique London luxury hotel Flemings Mayfair has launched The Drawing Room, a new space that captures the essence of a traditional Georgian Regency drawing room with high ceilings and large sash windows plus the original fireplace from 1851, when the hotel was established. The Drawing Rooms offers afternoon tea - ranging from the traditional through to Chocolate Indulgence, or the hotel's signature Ruinart Rosé Royal Afternoon Tea - as well as brunch, and early evening drinks.www.flemings-mayfair.co.uk/the-drawing-room.html

For further information contact Emma Roche: emma@rochecom.com

Hilton London Metropole has launched its London Family Scavenger Hunt Package. Choose from three tours; hunt for the missing royal wedding ring in St. James's Park, find out ‘whodunnit' on the murder mystery trail in Regent's Park or crack the code on the spying mission in South Kensington.

The package includes two nights' accommodation for all the family as well as a post-hunt drink at the EDG Bar & Lounge while checking the results on the free Wi-Fi.
www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/hilton-london-metropole-LONMETW/index.html

For further information contact Lori Hoy: Lori.Hoy@Hilton.com or Michael Mumford: michael.mumford@grayling.com

Hotel Café Royal has unveiled The London Royal Tea, a take on the English afternoon tea tradition, featuring a London theme presented in the splendour of the iconic Oscar Wilde Bar. A celebration of British history, Tea will encourage visitors to learn about the origins of taking tea and the many traditions associated with it. The team of chefs at Hotel Café Royal have crafted a menu of sandwiches, scones, delicacies, cakes and savouries, all inspired by London and afternoon tea through the ages, including the traditional Battenberg cake (supposedly created to celebrate the royal wedding of 1884 between Prince Louis of Battenberg and Queen Victoria's granddaughter) through to macaroons, inspired by the iconic London Underground.

The afternoon tea experience will begin when Hotel Café Royal's designated toastmaster rings a bell from the historical entrance on Regent Street, to signal the beginning and end of afternoon tea service. Dating back to the 1800s, this tradition evokes the spirit of the muffin men, who used to hawk their wares on the streets of London and ring a bell when the muffins were ready, until a law was passed prohibiting the activity in 1839 - a law that still stands today. Upon arrival guests will enjoy a brief history of the traditions surrounding afternoon tea in Britain and a piece of news from Café Royal's past.www.hotelcaferoyal.com

For further information contact Christian Krajewski: Christian.Krajewski@hotelcaferoyal.com

*Spa Experiences*

The Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre at London's Hotel Café Royal, home to the capital's very first Watsu pool, launches the new Dream With The Tide Package: in collaboration with Poetry in Water®, the offer is aimed at encouraging deep relaxation and restful sleep, including a personal 60-minute session with aquatic specialist Steve Karle and his team of therapists. The Watsu pool at Akasha is an exclusive treatment space dedicated to water therapy, a signature of the Spa. The pool is heated to an optimum temperature of 35 degrees Celsius to enable deep muscle relaxation and a journey into the inner-self. Poetry in Water® is a unique wellness concept specialising in aquatic bodywork. www.hotelcaferoyal.com/spa-and-gym

For further information contact Annalisa Maestri: Annalisa.Maestri@hotelcaferoyal.com *New accommodation book - B&Bs*

The 20th edition of Sawday's British ‘B&B bible' has hit the bookshelves. With more than 80 new additions Sawday's Special Places to Stay: British Bed & Breakfast brings together an unrivalled collection of more than 600 of Britain's special B&Bs. They range from a house packed with flowers in Dorset, south-west England and an RAF control tower in Norfolk, east England, decked out in Art Deco, to an atmospheric house said to be the inspiration for Wuthering Heights.www.sawdays.co.uk

For further information contact Emily Enright: Emily.Enright@sawdays.co.uk

*Awards*

The Woodland Spa, Lancashire in north-west England has been announced as the global winner in the World Luxury Spa Awards.

The Burnley-based spa, set within 100 acres of Lancashire countryside dominated by the impressive Pendle Hill - famous for its tales of Lancashire witches, sorcery and black magic in the 17th-century - won the World's Best Emerging Spa category. A global winner was then chosen from 22 categories and The Woodland Spa was awarded the top spot.www.thewoodlandspa.com

For further information contact Jacqueline Jordan: Jacqueline@brandspankin.co.uk

*National Trust*The conservation charity offers holiday cottages across the English and Welsh countryside, ranging from higgledy-piggledy fisherman's cottages to tall towers and historic hideaways. National Trust has highlighted just a few of its cottages now available for Autumn - booking with the National Trust also helps support its work looking after historic places and open spaces.

Rockside Cottage, Northumberland, north-east England Part of a pretty square of stone fishermen's houses, Rockside Cottage has views of the sea and the beautiful Embleton Bay. The square is also home to the famous Ship Inn and micro-brewery (it's said to have been here since the 1700s), and is a two-minute walk to a sandy beach. Inside you'll find white washed walls, two bedrooms plus a cosy wood burning stove in the sitting room. www.nationaltrustholidays.org.uk/holiday-cottage/rockside-cottage-alnwic...

Mottistone Manor Farmhouse, Isle of Wight, south EnglandMottistone Manor Farmhouse is a rambling detached farmhouse with large family rooms and a huge dining room with sea views. One minute's walk away is the gardens of Mottistone, with shrub-filled banks, hidden pathways and colourful herbaceous borders, while 15 minutes' walk will have you on the beach. www.nationaltrustholidays.org.uk/holiday-cottage/mottistone-manor-farmho...

Barn Owl Loft, Norfolk, east EnglandThis apartment occupies the east wing upper floors of a Georgian manor house, found in the tiny village of Itteringham and part of the National Trust's Blickling estate, which is located half way between the city of Norwich and the Norfolk coast with its cliffs, sandy beaches and marshland bird reserves.www.nationaltrustholidays.org.uk/holiday-cottage/barn-owl-loft-itteringh...

The Little Fleece, Painswick, Gloucestershire, west EnglandThe Little Fleece, a Grade II-listed, terraced house, used to be a bookshop and is found in the pretty Cotswolds town of Painswick. Close by there are a variety of shops, galleries, pubs, restaurants and tea shops. Just outside of the town is countryside and woodlands to explore that are perfect for taking in the local wildlife.www.nationaltrustholidays.org.uk/holiday-cottage/the-little-fleece-pains...

Meudwy, Gwynedd, west WalesA modern apartment on the lower ground floor of Henfaes house, on the western tip of the Llyn Peninsula, it's just minutes' walk from a large sandy beach, ideal for learning to surf. There is also hiking and cycling from the door with extensive trails across the Peninsula. www.nationaltrustholidays.org.uk/holiday-cottage/meudwy-pwllheli-gwynedd

Thatch Cottage, Calke Abbey, Derbyshire, central England This beautiful thatched cottage is situated on the edge of the Calke Abbey estate, a national nature reserve in Derbyshire with some of the oldest oak trees in Western Europe. Decorated in a luxurious and contemporary style the cottage is a good base for exploring the surrounding countryside, historic market towns and country houses. www.nationaltrustholidays.org.uk/holiday-cottage/thatch-cottage-ashby-de...

For further information contact Sally Davies: sally.davies@nationaltrust.org.uk