Accommodation Update - upcoming openings not to miss
Spring openings
March 2014: Cheval Three Quays, London
Serviced apartments are becoming a credible alternative to the world's finest hotels, attested by the arrival of a striking new collection of 97 serviced and 62 extended stay luxurious apartments, Cheval Three Quays, opening next to the Tower of London alongside the River Thames in March 2014. The spacious and elegant one, two and three-bedroom apartments at Cheval Three Quays have floor to ceiling windows allowing guests unobscured views of the River Thames with most featuring private glass and steel balconies with views including the Tower of London, City Hall and the Shard.
Prices start at £1,848 for a one-bedroom apartment for seven nights including taxes - which equates to £132 per person per night, based on two sharing. A deluxe three-bedroom river-view apartment accommodating six people starts from £4,800 for seven nights, equating to £114 per person per night.
For press enquiries contact: Sarah White (sarah.white@fourbgb.com) Emma Howard-Smith (emma.howard-smith@fourbgb.com) or Debbie Hindle (Debbie.hindle@fourbgb)
March 2014: Sunborn London, Royal Victoria Docks
Set to launch in March 2014, Sunborn London will be located in the prestigious Royal Victoria docks, next to ExCeL London. Originally serving as Sunborn Princess at the Naantali Spa in Finland, Sunborn London has undergone a complete refurbishment of the exterior and interiors and will be brought to London in time for its opening in March.
The 120 metre length, Sunborn London will offer 138 spacious yacht bedrooms and suites over 5 floors, including a fine dining restaurant, bar, auditorium, state of the art gym and vast outside decks and private terraces.
Nightly rates for Sunborn London start from £180 based on 2 sharing on a B&B basis
For press information contact Clemmie Mason-Pearson at Spider PR Clemmie.mp@spider-pr.com
March 2014 DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh
DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre is set to open in early March, with more DoubleTree by Hilton properties scheduled to open through the rest of the year. DoubleTree by Hilton Chelsea is set for a Spring opening, DoubleTree by Hilton Liverpool is expected to open in summer 2014. DoubleTree by Hilton London - Islington will open in the Autumn as will DoubleTree by Hilton Nottingham-Gateway.
For press enquiries relating to DoubleTree by Holton properties, contact Anita Clements, Hamilton PR , anita@hamilton-pr.com
March 2014: Celtic Manor Resort new luxury lodges, South West Wales
The Celtic Manor Resort, based in the beautiful Usk Valley, has developed ten new luxury holiday lodges in 2014. With a log cabin design, the lodges will have open plan living spaces with high windows and ceilings, four spacious bedrooms, a sauna and outdoor decking with a covered Jacuzzi. Aimed at families, the lodges will give guests the best of both worlds: the freedom of a country self-catering holiday, as well as the convenience of all of the resort’s restaurants, bars and family facilities. These include high ropes, adventure golf, swimming pools, tennis courts, spa, laser combat, archery and kids’ clubs.
April 2014: The Lord Crewe Arms, Northumberland-Durham border, North East England
The Lord Crewe Arms in the medieval village of Blanchland, on the Northumberland-Durham border, is set for rediscovery in April 2014 when it re-opens as a top-quality 21 bedroom country hotel, following a £1.5 million renovation. The property is Grade II listed, and dates back to the 1700s. Having been closed for renovation since December 2011, a reinvigorated Lord Crewe Arms will pick up its pace once more this spring, thanks to an extensive re-modelling of the property by Calcot Hotels - owners of Gloucestershire's Calcot Manor, Barnsley House and The Village Pub.
For press enquiries contact Charlotte Doherty, Charlotte Doherty PR charlotte.doherty@virgin.net
May 2014 Ham Yard Hotel
One of the year’s most unusual hotels to open, Firmdale Hotels will be opening Ham Yard in the heart of Soho in May. Situated on a three-quarter acre site, the hotel will revolve around a unique outdoor public pedestrian thoroughfare connecting Great Windmill Street to Denman Street opening up historic Ham Yard and Denman Place to the public for the first time since the 1960s. Its centrepiece will be a dramatic specially commissioned large scale bronze sculpture by Tony Cragg which will be surrounded by a number of fully grown oak trees and gardens. Alongside the hotel’s 90 individually designed bedrooms and suites will be 24 residential apartments, a collection of 13 personally selected specialist retail stores and an airy restaurant and bar with outdoor dining and drinking. Other highlights will include sumptuous drawing rooms and the Soholistic Spa and Gym. Continuing Firmdale’s close connection to film, music and entertainment, there will be a 176 seat theatre/cinema with stage, green rooms and VIP balcony which sits alongside a comprehensive private event floor featuring several spacious private dining and event rooms. Adjacent to this will be a four-lane 1950s Texan bowling alley with bar, lounge and dance floor. Hotel guests will also have access to an organic rooftop garden with sweeping views of the London skyline.
For press enquiries contact Sally Swadling SallySwadling@firmdale.com
6 May 2014, Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London
Located on the historic South Bank of the River Thames in the 306-metre-high, glass-clad Shard, the hotel will be the Hong Kong-based luxury hotel group’s third in Europe, following debuts in Paris in 2010 and Istanbul in 2013.
As the tallest hotel in Western Europe and the first high-rise hotel in London, the Shangri-La occupies levels 34 to 52 of the 72-storey Shard. Its contemporary interior design complements Renzo Piano’s masterful architecture and the breathtaking views – unmatched by any other hotel in London – unfold in all directions revealing iconic landmarks such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament.
For press enquiries contact Virginia Webb / Genevieve Westrope. The Massey Partnership. firstname.surname@massey.co.uk
May 2014: Dorsett Shepherd’s Bush
Dorsett Shepherds Bush will open this Spring, set within a Grade II listed building, originally known as The Shepherds Bush Pavilion. Formerly a cinema built in 1923, Dorsett Shepherds Bush retains the buildings historic façade with added contemporary elegance within.
Under the landmark glass roof, the 7 storey hotel will offer 317 Chinese inspired bedrooms designed with a light and modern feel, including 187 standard Dorsett rooms, and 24 suites combining the Dorsett Suite and the Dorsett Studio.
For press information contact Charlie Fox charlie@grifcopr.com
Summer openings
Summer 2014: Mondrian London, South Bank
Situated on the banks of the River Thames, Sea Containers House is being developed into 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.
For press information contact Nicole Menda nicole.menda@mhgc.com and Jennifer Foley jennifer.foley@mhgc.com
Summer 2014: The Gainsborough, Bath, South West England
The Gainsborough Bath Spa aims to set a new standard for luxury accommodation in the City of Bath and will be the only hotel in the UK to have direct access to natural thermal waters.
Made up of three beautiful historical buildings, each with a Grade II listed Georgian façade; the site of The Gainsborough Bath Spa has enjoyed an interesting history. The property was originally built as the United Hospital in 1824, with designs by renowned architect John Pinch. In 1932, the Hospital closed and the property became home to Bath College until 2005.
The site’s redevelopment by YTL Hotels has included the refurbishment of the main wings of the Gainsborough Building, the construction of a new wing on Lower Borough Walls and the redesigning of the neighbouring 17th century Bellotts annexe, linked to the Gainsborough by a newly formed tunnel. The lower level of the property will be home to the Spa Village Bath and thermal pools.
www.thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk, www.ytlhotels.com
For press information contact Hannah@grifcopr.com or Lallie@grifcopr.com
Hampton by Hilton in Glasgow
Hilton Worldwide has announced plans to open its first Hampton brand hotel in Glasgow city centre this summer, following an £11m investment. A former office block on West Campbell Street, a short walk from Glasgow Central Rail Station, will be converted into an 88-bedroom hotel with fitness centre.
For press information contact huw.harrow@hilton.com
Autumn openings
October 2014: Hotel Football, Manchester
Following the opening of Café Football at Westfield Statford City, London, the second opening from Gary Neville and his team will be an innovative hotel concept that combines a unique football theme with a truly individual identity and culture, just a stones throw away from iconic Old Trafford.
Recent openings you might have missed…
The Porch House, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, South West England
Recently transformed from tired Cotswold hotel and boozer to stylish boutique retreat with restaurant and inn, The Porch House, formerly, The Royalist Hotel and Eagle & Child Inn, was taken over as a managed property by W H Brakspear & Sons earlier this year. Located in the centre of the picturesque Cotswolds market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, and claiming to be ‘England’s oldest Inn’, The Porch House occupies a handsome, Grade II listed, Cotswold stone building, part of which dates back to 947AD. Now exuding vintage country cool, this new Cotswolds hotspot re-opened on 13 September 2013, following an extensive and sensitive restoration of its historical, architectural and decorative references.
Press enquiries to Bridget Stott bridget.stott@virgin.net
Pentahotel, Birmingham, West Midlands, England
The recent opening of the pentahotel Birmingham is the latest part of the penta group’s masterplan to bring a genuinely new type of hotel experience to the UK. The penta experience aims to be different for guests from the first moment they step inside. They’re greeted warmly in the pentalounge, the beating heart of every pentahotel worldwide. Where you’d normally expect to see the functional utility of a reception desk, penta thinks differently, using the opportunity instead to bring you a restaurant, bar, chill-out area and meeting point all in one.
You can enjoy a cocktail as you check in. It says on the website you can choose between smoking and non-smoking rooms, which is unusual. Some of the perks include ‘free in room movies and uber cool toiletries that are asking to be taken home’.
For press enquiries contact Soenke Ingwersen soenke.ingwersen@pentahotels.com
Malmaison Dundee
After some delay, the 13th hotel in the Malmaison group opened on 3 February. It’s got an impressive wrought iron staircase, and 91 rooms and suites. A hotly anticipated addition to the Dundee hotel scene, ahead of its becoming a cultural hotspot with the opening of the V&A Dundee.
Another hotel to join the Malmaison on the Dundee waterfront will be the fourth Sleeperz in the UK. It will be situated above the rail station, part of a £22million transformation of it http://blog.sleeperz.com/new-sleeperz-hotel-to-open-in-dundee
Hampton by Hilton opened its first hotel in central London, the Hilton London Waterloo in February. It follows the recent launch of Hampton by Hilton London Gatwick Airport North Terminal, joining Hilton Worldwide’s global brand of over 1,900 mid-priced hotels.
The hotel comprises 297 guest rooms and is the largest Hampton by Hilton property outside of the U.S. With a focus on comfort and service backed by the 100% Hampton Guarantee, Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo centres around distinct comfort zones. These include contemporary and comfortable seating areas, open plan public spaces, informal zones as well as dedicated work places.
For press information contact Emily Conradi EConradi@golleyslater.co.uk
Fonab, Scotland's newest castle hotel
Opened in 2013 - near the Perthshire town of Pitlochry, it features lashings of dark-wood panelling, open fires and a stash of locally-distilled whiskies, with a Sandemans fine dining restaurant and scenic views of Loch Faskally and the Highlands.
The Corran Resort & Spa, Carmarthenshire, South West Wales
Just in time for Dylan Thomas 100, Laugharne has seen the opening of a new, luxury hotel. The Corran Resort & Spa, a 16th century building surrounded by the Towy Estuary and Laugharne marshlands, has 21 individually decorated bedrooms located throughout the main house, old byre, great barn and stables. The great barn is home to six, split level suites complete with vaulted ceilings, exposed wooden beams and writing desks with views of the sea – perfect for those looking to follow in the footsteps of Dylan Thomas. The byre is great for families and groups as it boasts four spacious, en-suite double suites and a large, shared living area.
…And Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire is highlighting a selection of properties in and around Laugharne including Gossamer Cottage which sits on the estuary and is just a few minutes’ walk from the Boathouse.
This carefully renovated cottage – with beams, slate and wooden floors and inglenook fireplace with woodburning stove – sleeps five in three bedrooms and costs, for example, from £422 for seven nights in March, increasing to £865 in peak season.
Lime Wood, New Forest, South East England, new self-catering properties
In late September, the luxury New Forest hotel & spa Lime Wood opened three new, super-stylish self-catering cottages in its grounds: two cosy cottages and one equally comfy cabin, occupying former woodman's buildings and a stables. Guests can be totally secluded from the main building, a minute or two's walk away, or spend most of their time revelling in the Angela Hartnett restaurant, Herb House spa, pools and cocktail bar. This marks a real trend: Babington House opened a self-catering cabin last summer, and rumours are that Coworth Park will follow suit in early 2014, too.
For press enquiries contact Richard Mellor, Angel PR richard@angelpublicity.com
…Plus new cookery courses at Lime Wood (with Angela Hartnett)
The restaurant at Lime Wood is called Hartnett Holder & Co (www.limewoodhotel.co.uk/hartnett-holder-and-co), and has co-head chefs in Luke Holder and Angela Hartnett. Holder is known for rustic, gamey, forest-based cuisine, foraging and slow cooking, hence Lime Wood having its own smokery. Hartnett brings more modern flair, and an Italian focus from her London restaurants. Hence dishes like gnocchi with game ragout, in which you see both chefs' influence.
Cookery classes will launch with 4 dates for 2014:
First date is 25 March.
- Luke & Angela together will do two classes
- Luke will do two on his own
- The cost will be £295 per person with Luke & Angela
- The cost will be £195 per person with Luke
- The classes will teach you how to prepare and create a delicious three course meal depending what is in season
Grey Gables, Lake District, North West England
Grey Gables will be available for private holiday rentals in what one of the most tranquil and sought after locations in the Lake District. Surrounded by trees with frontline access to the water, a boathouse and jetty affording direct access to the lake, this is the perfect retreat for messing about on the water and enjoying country walks. Yet just two minutes in the car is the bustling and picturesque town of Bowness where you can indulge in shopping, pubs, restaurants and galleries, or take a lake cruise on a steamer.
Prices will start from £5880 per week (£588 per person), and short breaks are also available from £3600 for 4 nights midweek.
Press enquiries to Claire Southern claire@fionareece.com
Refurbished
The Ship, Chichester, West Sussex
Chichester in 2014 is set to become a hot UK destination with the re-opening this Spring of the highly acclaimed Chichester Festival theatre after a €30 million facelift.
With this in mind The Ship, probably the leading boutique hotel in the heart of the city , has recently finished a complete restoration of the grade 2 listed building and opened Murrays, a new British restaurant already garnering a loyal local following . They have also designed an adjoining private cottage (often a retreat for some of the luvvies of the theatre - from Rupert Everett to Kim Cattrall)
The Ship has created some great creative, competitively priced packages tying into both the local area, shops, theatre and the charm of this notable cathedral city .
For press enquiries contact Patrick Burfield patrickburfield@theshiphotel.net
New Spa openings
Dormy House, Cotswolds, Worcestershire, South West England
Dormy House in the Cotswolds has a new spa, with chic Scandinavian-inspired decor, an elegant infinity pool and a comprehensive range of over 50 indulgent treatments. There is a couple’s treatment room available for enjoying massages, mud baths or rejuvenating body scrubs together.
PR contact at Pride of Britain Hotels Julia Farish J.Farish@travelpr.co.uk
Gleneagles, Perthshire, Scotland
The Gleneagles Hotel has relaunched The Club, the culmination of 12 months’ work and a £5million investment. The refurbishment sees the hotel’s leisure complex upgraded and enhanced to create an even more luxurious space to escape, relax and unwind. The refurbishment was led by the Gleneagles team and renowned London interior designers Sedley Place, and coincides with the hotel’s 90thanniversary in 2014.
For press enquiries email Kate Newton Kate.Newton@gleneagles.com
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