Accommodation Update - June 2016

Tuesday 28 June 2016

London

New and upcoming openings

ZSL's Gir Lion Lodge, London Zoo: open now (until December)

ZSL London Zoo has launched a luxury overnight experience in the heart of its Land of the Lions exhibit. After dinner, guests embark on an evening tour led by a dedicated host who shares their conservation knowledge before guiding guests back to their Lodges close to the Zoo's Asiatic lions. After breakfast, guests embark on a morning tour of the Zoo before it opens to visitors. The Gir Lion Lodge experience is open six nights a week until December 2016 with designated family nights and adults-only nights. www.zsl.org/girlionlodge

PR contact: Rhiannon.Bates@zsl.org

Mercure London Hyde Park Hotel: December 2016

Overlooking a peaceful garden square in elegant Paddington, Mercure Hyde Park Hotel, due to open in December 2016, 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 PR contact: Jennifer Cole Jennifer.COLE@accor.com

Long-lead

Four Seasons to move into Ten Trinity Square: December 2016

Four 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 in December 2016, 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 feature two gourmet restaurants and a spa. www.fourseasons.com, www.tentrinitysquare.com/the-hotel

PR contact Anna Dickinson: adickinson@prco.com

Moxy, London Royal Docks: Late 2016

Moxy Hotels describe themselves as 'just like home, but with a bartender'. The Moxy has ripped up the rule book for budget hotels, and boasts premium comforts and convenient services, including 42" televisions, fresh brewed coffee and self-service breakfast. The London addition of its expanding portfolio is set to open late 2016. http://moxy-hotels.marriott.com/hotels

Ibis Styles Piccadilly Circus: 2017; MGallery Leicester Square: Late 2016

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 of the Trocadero Centre 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 in late 2016. The new Ibis Styles Piccadilly Circus will serve breakfast, which is included in the room rate, and will also have a bar. www.ibis.com PR contact: Jennifer Cole Jennifer.COLE@accor.com

 

Nobu Hotel: Q1 2017

Master sushi chef, Nobu Matsuhisa, is planning his first European hotel, the Willow Street Hotel in London's Shoreditch, to open in 2017. The new hotel will house 150 bedrooms and a statement restaurant: a dramatic five-metre high space in the basement with imaginative creations from Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. www.nobuhotels.com/london-nobu-hotel, www.nobuhospitality.com

2019: The Wellington Hotel (by Robert De Niro!)

Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro is to open a boutique hotel in London's Covent Garden, following the success of celebrity favourite The Greenwich in New York. De Niro, working with Capital & Counties Properties (Capco) and BD Hotels, has submitted a planning application for the proposed 83 room hotel, which will be called The Wellington Hotel. The London hotel will include spa facilities, two restaurants, a deli/café and a members' club, built around a central courtyard conservatory. If the plans are approved by Westminster City Council, work would begin on the development in 2017, with construction completed in 2019.

2019: Art'otel® at Battersea Power Station

Earmarked to open in 2019 in a building designed by Foster + Partners and set around the historic Grade II* listed Battersea Power Station, this will be a 160 plus -bedroom luxury lifestyle hotel offering skyline floors boasting panoramic views. There will be a Roof Garden, an outdoor rooftop pool and bar overlooking the iconic chimneys, curated gardens, a signature destination restaurant and double height bar. Guests will be welcomed by a public gallery; a multi-purpose 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

New hotel planned for Grosvenor Square

The owner of Blakes Hotels has submitted a planning application with Westminster City Council to create a new 30-room hotel at three adjacent buildings close to the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square, Mayfair in central London. Plans for the hotel include an all-day 120-cover Parisian style brasserie, a private members' club and bar. The members' club will cater for people active in the creative sector and Mayfair residents. www.grosvenor.com/news-views-research/news/2016/new-hotel-planned-for-grosvenor-square PR contact: pressoffice@grosvenor.com

Wales

New and upcoming openings

Palé Hall, North Wales: September 2016

A historic country house will reopen as a luxury destination hotel with fine dining restaurant in association with Michael Caines, the acclaimed two Michelin star chef. Steeped in rich history and surrounded by the stunning Welsh valleys on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, the reimagined Grade II* listed Palé Hall by new owners Alan and Angela Harper will be unveiled in September, launching as one of Britain's finest destination country house hotels with an exclusive fine dining restaurant. Alan and Angela have personally overseen the refurbishment, choosing every last detail themselves and creating a peaceful and luxurious retreat surrounded by natural beauty and accompanied by fine wines and food. www.palehall.co.uk PR contacts: Polly Dowson or Harriet Rowlinson polly@saucecommunications.com harriet@saucecommunications.com

Life House/ Tŷ Bywyd: now open

Life House / Tyˆ Bywyd, located in a rolling valley near Llanbister, mid Wales, has been designed by the British architect John Pawson. Each of the three large bedrooms is dedicated to one calming ingredient in life: reading, listening to music, and bathing. The rooms have been designed as modern versions of the monastic cell. Living Architecture will also be opening The Secular Retreat in Devon in Winter 2016. www.living-architecture.co.uk/the-houses/LifeHouse/overview

Coes Faen Spa Lodge

Tucked away on the Mawddach Estuary, the newly accredited five-star Coes Faen Spa Lodge is a fantastic combination of old and new. Each of the six serene bedrooms enjoys its very own private spa bathroom, and views towards the Cader Idris mountain range. After a breakfast of local produce, venture out and explore the landscape, or stay close and take in the gardens and woodlands of the Coes Faen Estate. http://coesfaen.co.uk

Little Barn, Waunbayvil, Pembrokeshire: now open

Homely, comfortable and simple, Little Barn is a place where you can feel close to wilderness with rare flora and fauna and Welsh Mountain ponies. The mezzanine level creates a lofty living area with pitch-pine windows and floors, a curved ceiling, peephole windows and artwork and vintage curiosities lining the walls and bookshelves. When you're home and dry, cook supper on the charcoals and stay up late to see the moon and stars burn bright in unpolluted skies. www.canopyandstars.co.uk/littlebarn PR contact: Georgia Rae Goodyer Georgia.RaeGoodyer@sawdays.co.uk

Refurbs

Tyn y Coed Cottage: now open and newly graded

A recently refurbished 300-year-old cottage, Tyn y Coed has received official four-star grading for its exceptional rare character and Welsh charm. Nestled in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Tyn y Coed is the ideal place to relax. The cottage sleeps six people and has a luxury all weather hot tub that's perfect for stargazing all year round. Tyn y Coed is the ultimate base camp for an adventure in the Brecon Beacons as well as being a truly peaceful retreat. www.tynycoed-cottage.co.uk

Scotland

New and upcoming openings

Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn: now open

Two new Premier Inn hotels have opened in Edinburgh, including Scotland's first hub by Premier Inn. The new innovative hub is the only hotel in the world that allows guests to control their room settings using an Apple Watch. Customers can use an app on Android, iPhone or Apple Watch to book, check in, customise their room or even control their Smart TV's. Both hotels, located a stone's throw from Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile, boast impressive views over of the city. Premier Inn features a Thyme restaurant, bedrooms which showcase the company's latest high-spec, modern design, a 40" flat screen TV and a luxury king-size Hypnos bed. www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hub.html PR contact: Claire Borgeat Claire.Borgeat@whitbread.com

Culbin Edge: now open

Follow the Malt Whisky Trail from Culbin Edge! This modern eco-cabin sits at the top of a bank looking down over rough grazing that leads into a beautiful pine forest in Moray, north-east Scotland. The sleek design continues inside with striking floor to ceiling windows and warm oak, comfy old armchairs and plenty of blankets and cushions that keep the space cosy. Take a stroll to Brodie Castle or follow the world famous Malt Whisky Trail, through Speyside to seven working distilleries. www.canopyandstars.co.uk/culbinedge PR contact: Georgia Rae Goodyer Georgia.RaeGoodyer@sawdays.co.uk

Crossbasket Castle, south Lanarkshire: now open

Following extensive refurbishment, Crossbasket Castle in Blantyre, 30 minutes' drive south east of Glasgow, reopened in May as a luxury hotel. Managed by Inverlochy Castle Management International, it features a fine-dining restaurant, nine bedrooms, drawing room and library, furnished with Scottish pieces from between the 14th and 16th centuries. www.crossbasketcastle.com

Safestay Edinburgh, Scotland: July 2016

Premium hostel brand Safestay will launch Safestay Edinburgh in the heart of Old Town, in July 2016. The property is undergoing a refurbishment and rebranding programme whilst trading as "Smart City Hostel by Safestay". Safestay Edinburgh has 132 rooms with 615 beds and offers en-suite private and mixed bunk-bed dorm rooms. Safestay Edinburgh is located at the site of the first printing press in Scotland, and one of Edinburgh's ancient thoroughfares near the lively Cowgate. www.safestay.com PR contact: Cyndi Cheng cyndi@pilot-pr.com

The Courtyard Edinburgh: October 2016

The Courtyard Edinburgh is the newest Marriot for the Scottish capital, combining heritage and style with an innovative design and locally inspired furnishings. The hotel will feature an all-day bistro, fitness centre, multi-functional meeting room and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/edicy-courtyard-edinburgh

Long-lead

Radisson Red Hotel Glasgow: 2017

The Radisson Red Hotel Glasgow will be located adjacent to Scotland's largest exhibition centre, will feature 176 rooms and will welcome its first guests in 2017. It joins existing Carlson Rezidor properties in Glasgow: the Radisson Blu and a Park Inn by Radisson in the city.

www.radissonred.com

Refurbs

Meldrum House: now open

Meldrum House, a hotel and golf course in Aberdeenshire, has 28 new bedrooms, some with views out to the golf course and countryside beyond. The hotel also has a stunning new Ballroom that can hold up to 200 people and has doors leading out to a terrace and the gardens. With the new development also comes a new menu for the Summer months, featuring mouth-watering dishes including Scottish lobster, MH Surf and Turf and locally sourced steaks from Presly Butchers of Oldmeldrum, within a mile of the hotel

www.meldrumhouse.com

Gleneagles

The Gleneagles Hotel announced an extensive refurbishment programme that will see improvements and upgrades made throughout the property. The hotel will work with some of the country's most celebrated designers, including David Collins Studio, Timorous Beasties, Macaulay Sinclair and Goddard Littlefair, to create designs and spaces that reflect Gleneagles' Scottish identity, with a contemporary feel. The bedrooms will be enhanced, spaces where guests can mingle and better enjoy views of the Perthshire countryside will be created throughout the hotel's public areas, including the introduction of a new bar in the Dormy Clubhouse and the stunning refurbishment of the hotel's main bar. www.gleneagles.com PR contact: Ciara McCrory Ciara@nevillemccarthy.com

Kent, south-east England

New and upcoming openings

Tab, Goudhurst, Kent

Amid the glorious Kentish countryside sits Tab, a cosy caravan offering a peaceful night's sleep, a magnificent tennis court and heated pool. The summerhouse boasts retro arcade games; if a game of Pacman doesn't take you back, step into the vintage phone box - teleportation pales in comparison to luxuriating under the hot power shower inside!

10% of all Paines Farmhouse profits will be donated to Unicef, min. 2 night stay, www.canopyandstars.co.uk/tab PR contact: Georgia Rae Goodyer Georgia.RaeGoodyer@sawdays.co.uk

Hertfordshire & Essex, south-east England

Recent and upcoming openings

Birdsong, Heybridge, Essex

The adventure begins on arrival when you drop your luggage into wheelbarrows and wind through the forest to find the camp in its private clearing. Birdsong is perfect for all constellations of travellers from families to couples to groups of friends (the triple bunks are fun for adults too!). On-site there's the acclaimed Rubino Kitchen, craft shop, pottery site and a yoga room, and Blackwater Estuary is only 250 metres away with sea views, sailing and canoeing. www.canopyandstars.co.uk/birdsong

PR contact: Georgia Rae Goodyer Georgia.RaeGoodyer@sawdays.co.uk

Refurbs

Down Hall Country House Hotel refurbished bedrooms and new spa: now open

Blending historic country house splendour with contemporary bedrooms, a brand new spa and AA Rosette-awarded restaurant, Down Hall is an idyllic country escape. Dating back to 1322, the mansion has been home to artists, lords and baronets who've all influenced the flamboyant Italianate style - think crystal chandeliers, coffered and gilded high ceilings and opulent fabrics. The building stands within 110 acres of gardens and woodland on the Hertfordshire/Essex border, 45 minutes from central London. Currently undergoing the final stages of a transformative £6 million refurbishment project (due for completion in late summer 2016) Down Hall's 99 bedrooms have been individually designed to reflect the elegance and character of this historic property, whilst providing modern day creature comforts. www.downhall.co.uk PR contact: Emma Hawley or Lizzie Shannon at Roche Communications firstname@rochecom.com

Launch of The Mews at Sopwell House

Nestled deep within the rolling Hertfordshire hills, The Mews at Sopwell House offers understated luxury in a countryside setting. Located in the 12-acre grounds of Sopwell House Hotel, an 18th century Georgian manor house, the country retreats are perfect for those seeking privacy coupled with the benefits of the hotel's elegant restaurants and spa. Originally an old stable block, the newly refurbished oasis comprises 16 Mews Suites surrounding a botanical garden designed by Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medallist, Ann-Marie Powell. The Mews suites also encompass their own private courtyards with sunken private spa baths and wicker seating areas. Celebrating its 30th Anniversary in October 2016, Sopwell House is an enchanting country estate located in the picturesque village of St Albans, a 20 minute train ride from London's St Pancras. www.sopwellhouse.co.uk/rooms-suites/mews-suite PR contact: Danielle Betts at Luxe PR danielle@luxepr.com

Manchester, Liverpool & north-west England

New and upcoming openings

First glamping spot in Peak District: now open

As the first and only glamping spot in the Peak District, The Gathering truly is a special place. It defines family holidays; bathing in waterfalls, hikes in the idyllic moorlands of the High Peak and bonfires by the stream. Paraffin lamps and wool-jacketed hot water bottles give the comfort and tradition of an old Victorian Shooting Lodge, but with the excitement of sleeping under canvas, with stars above and Swaledale sheep below. www.canopyandstars.co.uk/thegathering PR contact: Georgia Rae Goodyer Georgia.RaeGoodyer@sawdays.co.uk

Oddfellows On The Park: December 2016

Oddfellows On The Park, sister to award-winning Oddfellows in Chester is due to open in December 2016. The design-led hotel will offer 22 boutique bedrooms and six suites in the heart of Bruntwood Park near Manchester Airport. There will be a destination restaurant on site, The Galloping Major, named after a Victorian owner of Bruntwood Hall who ran an equestrian stud in Bruntwood Park. Much of the building's design has an equestrian theme including the ‘Bridle Suite' and the hotel's bar, The Stud Room. Oddfellows On The Park will be joining the global hotel community Design HotelsTM, making it the only hotel outside London to be invited to do so. True to the Design HotelsTM consortium's name, the hotel must be rooted and enhanced by thoughtful design, but also must have a cultural authenticity and offer genuine hospitality. www.oddfellowsonthepark.com PR contact: Katie Bentley katie.bentley@oddfellowshotels.com

Long lead

Roomzzz Aparthotel, Manchester: Late 2016

Roomzzz Aparthotel, part of the Parklane Group, will open its second Manchester site in the iconic Corn Exchange in the City Centre. The new hotel is part of a £30million leisure redevelopment programme, which also includes 13 new independent restaurants and four retained restaurants. The hotel, which is expected to open in late 2016, is a key part of the redevelopment of the Grade II listed building which, upon completion, will be one of Manchester's primary dining destinations. The hotel will have its entrance fronting Exchange Square, with guest accommodation over the second, third, fourth, and fifth floors. www.roomzzz.com

Newcastle & north-east England

New and upcoming openings

Hilton Garden Hotel, Sunderland: now open

One of the newest hotels to be opened by the Hilton Group, the Hilton Garden Hotel offers a perfect destination for visitors and businesses alike. The 141-bedroom hotel is situated at Stadium Park, ideally located to enjoy Roker beach, National Glass Centre, and Sunderland AFC's Stadium of Light. www.safc.com/hospitality-and-events/conference-events-and-hotel-centre/h..., http://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/hilton-garden-inn-sunderland-NCLGIGI/index.html

The Commissioner's Quay, Blyth: July 2016

The 40-bedroom multi-million pound pub with rooms will open in the Northumberland port town ahead of the Tall Ships Regatta when the most spectacular Tall Ships in the world will sail into Blyth for the four-day festival (Friday 26 - Monday 29 August).

The Commissioners Quay Inn has been designed with 40 bedrooms across three floors providing stunning sea views across the Northumberland coast, while a ground floor bar and eatery area overlooking Blyth harbour will provide covers for up to 265 diners inside while a further 100 covers outside with offer waterfront al fresco eating. The new Inn's credentials are in keeping with Blyth's reputation as an alternative energy pioneer. The town is home to ORE Catapult, the UK renewables research centre and also boasts a biomass power station and Britain's first offshore wind turbines. www.commissionersquayinn.com PR contact: Claire Thorburn claire.thorburn@impactpr-m.co.uk

Refurbs

The Lindisfarne Inn - now cycle friendly

The Lindisfarne Inn in Northumberland has geared up its facilities to welcome cyclists.

The nearest mainland pub to Holy Island and on the 120-mile Sandstone Way bike route, it's invested in bike storage, stands, repair kits, pumps, wash down equipment and training staff to be bike mechanics. There's a special high energy Explorer menu devised with 24-hour mountain bike endurance rider Rich Rothwell, with homemade dishes to eat in or portable meals to take on the go.

Overnight riders can keep their bike in the brand new Cycle Cabin, or in their own en-suite bedroom. www.lindisfarneinn.co.uk PR Contact: Claire Thorburn claire.thorburn@impactpr-m.co.uk

Woolsington Hall Hotel & Spa, Newcastle: Late 2016/ early 2017

The Grade II listed Woolsington Hall will undergo a luxury renovation, transforming the hall into a 34-bedroom, five-star hotel and leisure complex, the first of its kind in Newcastle. Earmarked for winter 2016/spring 2017, the site will also be complete with a restaurant, lodges, golf course, spa, and a cookery school. With history as its backdrop, the hall will be gracefully and sensitively restored to its former glory, with a bespoke, unique and personal touch running throughout.

www.woolsingtonhallhotel.co.uk

Birmingham and central England

New and upcoming openings

The High Field Town House, Edgbaston: now open

Birmingham has a new boutique hotel: The High Field Town House, created by the independent, award-winning Peach Pub Company. Tucked inside an elegant Victorian villa in leafy Edgbaston village, The High Field Town House brings a touch of country house charm and comfort to a corner of town which is rapidly becoming a trendy place to eat, drink and stay. Just five minutes away from the centre of Birmingham, the hotel feels a world away amongst the greenery and elegance of Edgbaston. The imposing double fronted listed 1860s villa was once a family home, and now has 12 individually designed en-suite bedrooms, some featuring luxurious roll-top baths.

www.highfieldtownhouse.co.uk PR contact: Sarah Pracey sarah@praceypr.com

Knight's Village, Warwick Castle: July 2016

Those on a quest for fun and adventure should book the Knights' Village at Warwick Castle from 1 July 2016. There are 28 lodges set in the wooded idyll of the attraction's 64-acre estate set within a tranquil woodland glade close to the River Avon and a few paces from all the daily action at the Castle. Woodland Lodges sleep up to five guests in two bedrooms. Knight's Lodges sleep up to seven guests and are set across two storeys, including a grand galleried master bedroom. All lodges offer fully ensuite facilities, including wet rooms. Overnight guests enjoy a hearty breakfast in the banqueting hall and two days' entrance to Warwick Castle as part of their stay. http://www.warwick-castle.com/sleepovers

PR contact: jardine.howlett@whitetigerpr.com

Stratford-upon-Avon

New and upcoming openings

Summer 2017: Hotel Du Vin

The Malmaison Hotel du Vin Group has received full planning permission and listed building consent to create a new luxurious 48-bedroom Hotel du Vin in the heart of Stratford upon Avon. The plans will see the transformation of two Georgian listed buildings on Rother Street into a Hotel du Vin. Facilities at the hotel will include 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: Hudson Sandler malhdv@hudsonsandler.com

Brighton and Sussex, south-east England

 

New and upcoming openings

Idaho Cabin, Sussex: now open

Idaho Cabin sits in its own clearing of Forest Garden; simple, off-grid, cosy and almost entirely crafted from wood so it blends into its forest surroundings. It's a perfect hideout for couples or a group of friends needing an escape from the city. Owners Lisa & Charles have handpicked plenty of activities to get stuck into, from sculpting a bowl in a Green woodworking course to cooking up natural lip balm from Forest Garden's own bees' wax.

www.canopyandstars.co.uk/idahocabin PR contact: Georgia Rae Goodyer Georgia.RaeGoodyer@sawdays.co.uk

Refurbs

Jurys Inn at Brighton's Waterfront Hotel: from October 2016

The former Waterfront Hotel in Brighton will become Jurys Inn Brighton Waterfront. The 210-bedroom hotel, known to many as ‘Thistle Brighton' and located on King's Road, adjacent to the resort's beautiful seafront, is now operating under Jurys Inn and in the coming months will receive a £5.6million investment to transform its facilities.

In addition to the existing amenities on offer including: free WiFi, spacious en-suite rooms with Freeview TV and use of the health club and spa, the rebrand will mean guests can enjoy immediate Jurys Inn benefits with fantastic breakfasts, seasonal bar and restaurant dining. The Jurys Inn Brighton Waterfront refurbishment programme will commence in October 2016. www.jurysinns.com PR contact: Jacqueline Bennett jacqueline.bennett@citizenrelations.com

Bath, south-west England

Long lead

Z Hotel, Bath: 2017

Offering compact luxury rooms in city centre locations, Z Hotels will open its first property in the south west of England in 2017. Z Bath is part of a £14 million development in Saw Close. The property will offer 148 bedrooms and follow in the footsteps of all other Z Hotels which offer luxury bed linen on handcrafted beds, 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

Cornwall & Devon, south-west England

New and upcoming openings

Brownscombe, nr. Totnes, Devon: now open

Nestled on the slopes of a two acre buttercup field, three luxury lodges are great for families; there's a children's play den for building forts and a games room if it rains. Kids can also join ‘farmer's rounds' to help feed pigs and collect fresh eggs. Each tent has a fire pit and you can pick up a barbeque hamper from the honesty larder. Each lodge has two bedrooms, plus a cosy cabin bed for the little ones. www.canopyandstars.co.uk/brownscombe PR contact: Georgia Rae Goodyer Georgia.RaeGoodyer@sawdays.co.uk

The PIG at Combe, Devon: July 2016

THE PIG hotels group has announced a fifth addition to its expanding portfolio. Located at Combe House in Devon's Otter Valley, it will feature 33 rooms in the main house (a Grade-1 listed Elizabethan Manor) and a characterful stable block. A 600 year-old thatched longhouse will provide further private accommodation for up to eight guests and it is due to open on 11 July 2016. www.thepighotel.com/at-combe/opening-2016

Long-lead

Eden Project hotel, Bodelva, near St Austell, Cornwall: 2017

A new £6million, 115-bedroom hotel will open at the Eden Project in 2017. Designed to blend into the countryside and have high standards of accessibility, energy-efficiency and sustainability, the new mid-range hotel will support Eden's activities, its educational aspirations, its existing and future conference events, weddings, and the annual Eden Sessions series of concerts. www.edenproject.com

Yorkshire, north England

New and upcoming openings

Make it York contact: Cassie Meegan-Vickers Cassie.Meegan-Vickers@makeityork.com

Hotel Indigo: now open

The Hotel Indigo York is a boutique hotel with a unique feel. From the casual Yorkshire Meatballs Co restaurant and bar to the individuality that has been created in each bedroom and suite, every step offers a new experience. Contemporary twists abound, from in room media hub to innovative dishes and drinks. www.hotelindigoyork.co.uk

34a The Shambles - Apartment: now open

This three storey, four-bedroomed apartment is located on York's most famous and historic street. Its central location makes it an ideal base for exploring the huge variety of attractions and shops which York has to offer, as well as being a stones-throw from a variety of bars and restaurants, including York's most haunted pub! The apartment sleeps eight and has great views over York. www.mrandmrstodd.co.uk

York Aparthotels - Six individual self-catering properties: now open

Luxury aparthotels each with individual entrances, blackout shutters, HD TVs, fast WiFi, quality rain showers, fully fitted equipped kitchens, laptop safe, smart lighting, eco-friendly air conditioning. www.yorkaparthotel.co.uk

The Shire House, Cleveland, Yorkshire

Who can help but be thrilled with this delightful, grass-roofed Hobbit House? Find a plush, Regency-inspired interior with terracotta floors, wooden beams, antique French wall lights and circular stained glass windows. Enchanting bedrooms have cosy cabin beds and handmade sheep wool mattresses to lull you to a dreamy sleep. www.canopyandstars.co.uk/theshirehouse PR contact: Georgia Rae Goodyer Georgia.RaeGoodyer@sawdays.co.uk

 

The Staycity Aparthotel, York: July 2016

The Staycity complex will open on 14 July 2016, featuring 190 serviced apartments with fully equipped kitchens and dining rooms/lounges and two retail units on the ground floor. The six-storey building will be built next to York Barbican and overlooking the city's Bar Walls. www.staycity.com PR contact: Jason Delany jason.delany@staycity.com

Refurbs

The Royal York Hotel, York: now open

The imposing Royal York Hotel - right next to the train station - has been transformed, with 167 beautifully appointed bedrooms and suites with views across the hotel's manicured gardens to York Minster, a new restaurant called The Refectory, as well as Chapter House bar and the Garden Room for afternoon tea and Champagne cocktails. Dating back to 1878, the hotel blends the grandeur of late-Victorian architecture with modern comforts, including fast, free WiFi, smart televisions and Neal's Yard bathroom toiletries.www.hotelroyalyork.co.uk Contact: Cassie Meegan-Vickers Cassie.Meegan-Vickers@makeityork.com

Norfolk, east England

Refurbs

Congham Hall

The latest phase of the refurbishment of Congham Hall Hotel in Norfolk is complete, with eight refreshed rooms available to book. The newly refurbished guest rooms have been redecorated in keeping with the rest of the hotel, which was relaunched by the current management in 2013. The final three, i ncluding one suite, will be refurbished in January 2017. A contemporary palette complements the manor house's classic Georgian style. The highlight is Dandelion, a new honeymoon suite with its own sitting room and private balcony overlooking the parkland. It has been restored as a sumptuous love nest and features a free-standing Kurv bath in the bedroom and flowing silk curtains. www.conghamhallhotel.co.uk

PR Contact: Simone Kane simone@lbbcreative.co.uk , or Kate Simon kate@lbbcreative.co.uk

And finally...

Herefordshire-based tourism business Rural Concierge launches a new-look website

If you're keen to find out about holidays in a rural location, one option is to try Rural Concierge's new-look website, launched recently to help when booking these types of holidays. The site is aimed at Herefordshire visitors and residents looking for a great day out or holiday in a rural area. Its team has extensive knowledge on Herefordshire, in west England, and surrounding areas including: The Wye Valley, Forest of Dean, the Marches, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Cotswolds, West Midlands and Wales. http://www.rural-concierge.co.uk

‘Best Hotel Design in the world': Windermere's Boutique Church Suites honoured at London awards

The Cranleigh Boutique's Boutique Church Suites were honoured alongside the world's best hotels at an awards ceremony in London. The SBID International Design Awards is one of the industry's most prestigious events and serves to recognise, reward and celebrate design excellence. The Cranleigh Boutique in Bowness-on-Windermere was founded in 2007 by Stephen Hargreaves and has become the destination of choice for those seeking a luxury break in the Lake District. The exclusive boutique house -The Hideout - was launched in 2013. The Church Suites launched in January 2015 to positive reviews and were named ‘best hotel suites in the UK and second in the world' by design-et-al at the International Hotel & Property Awards 2015'. www.thecranleigh.com

For more information contact:

VisitBritain Media Team

pressandpr@visitbritain.com

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The Mews
The Foxglove Bedroom
Accommodation at The High Field Town House
Inside a bedroom at The High Field Town
Inside a bedroom at The High Field Town
Accommodation at The High Field Town House
Accommodation at The High Field Town House
Custmers using the facilities at The Hub
Inside a room at The Hub
Inside the spa at Down Hall
The exterior of Down Hall
The exterior of The Tab, at Canopy & Stars
Interior of accommodation at Canopy & Stars
Exterior of the Shire House at Canopy & Stars
Exterior of Idaho Cabin, Canopy & Stars
Inside the Birdsong at Canopy & Stars
Exterior of Birdsong, Canopy & Stars