Throughout England, significant new hotel openings, situated by some of the country’s most iconic attractions, are set to make the destination even more appealing for visitors looking to enjoy luxurious accommodation while exploring England’s unique history, heritage, culture and countryside. From the historical city of York’s first five-star hotel and spa, to the first boutique style hotel in Shakespeare’s Country, to London’s largest hotel opening in a generation with more than 1,000 rooms, travelers to England can benefit from an abundance of options to meet every accommodation need. Including chic and contemporary urban hotels, sophisticated countryside estates and manor houses featuring imaginative golf courses and spas, properties across England are being created to cater to the most discerning traveler’s tastes.
Cedar Court – Bedroom
Following the £20 million conversion of the city’s old North Eastern Railways Headquarters, Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa, which opened in May, 2010, is York’s first five-star hotel. Retaining the original features and beauty of the building, the hotel was designed to restore the feel of the Golden Age of travel, while providing visitors with modern and state-of-the-art amenities. In addition to providing guests with electrical outlets that accept British, European or North American plugs, the hotel receives television channels from around the world and when a customer checks in with their credit card, the TV in their room is activated to receive channels from their home country. Furthermore, for guests staying in one of the hotel’s four lavish suites, a 24-hour butler service is provided, offering an unparalleled level of personal service. At The Grand restaurant, Head Chef David Sharp sources as many ingredients as possible from local suppliers in Yorkshire ensuring guests enjoy a fresh, local menu. Complete with107 rooms, the hotel will include a swimming pool, gym and Jacuzzi as well as an open-air roof garden that will open later this summer. www.cedarcourthotels.co.uk
Cedar Court – Cocktail Bar
Having opened this month after a multi-million pound renovation, The Arden Hotel, operated by the Eden Hotel Collection, is Stratford-upon-Avon’s first boutique style hotel. Located opposite the Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres and overlooking the River Avon, The Arden Hotel is an ideal choice for travelers visiting the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company as well as key attractions in Shakespeare’s Country including the birthplace of the world’s most famous bard. The hotel’s 45 elegant rooms seamlessly combine contemporary design and amenities with timeless luxury, while the new brasserie offers year-round al fresco dining and a stylish Champagne Bar. www.theardenhotelstratford.com
Cedar Court – First Floor Landing
Located on London’s South Bank, the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel, which opened in March of this year, is London’s largest hotel opening in a generation. Boasting uninterrupted views of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the 15-story, 1,021-room contemporary hotel, close to the London Eye, includes 54 spacious suites and penthouses, 545 studio rooms and 422 superior rooms as well as five dining and entertainment experiences and a 24-hour concierge. In summer 2010, the hotel will unveil its spa featuring eight treatment rooms, a fitness center, and a 15-meter swimming pool. www.parkplaza.com/hotels/gbwestmi
Cedar Court – HQ Restaurant
Timeless, elegant, sophisticated and luxurious, suitably describe the newly renovated Georgian Coworth Park, part of the prestigious Dorchester collection, opening in Ascot in late summer 2010. Conveniently located just a 20 minute taxi ride from Heathrow Airport, the five-star hotel will offer 69 lavishly appointed guestrooms in three different locations on the property comprised of The Manor – the main house offering extensive views over the pristine gardens and parkland, the stable and 11 private cottages. John Campbell, one of the UK’s most celebrated and talented chefs, will oversee all three of the property’s restaurants including the Manor House gastronomic restaurant, the converted Barn restaurant adjacent to the stable block, and the Spa restaurant ensuring menus of fresh and seasonal cuisine. Partially built into the landscape, a luxury eco-spa will house eight treatment rooms, including two doubles, a manicure/pedicure salon, relaxation rooms as well as a restaurant serving snacks, light meals, cocktails and Champagne, while a gym and indoor pool with glass walls will lead out to the sun terrace. In keeping with Coworth Park’s equestrian history, the property is the only hotel in the UK to have its own polo fields and offers guests horse riding lessons along with the opportunity to learn to play polo. www.coworthpark.com
The Grand opening
Recently opened in May 2010, the modern ABode Chester is one of several new properties in Northwest England, featuring 85 guestrooms offering extraordinary views of Chester and the Welsh hills including three opulent suites each with a private balcony. Guests can chose from four room category levels titled “comfortable,” “desirable,” “enviable” and “fabulous” – all offering well-appointed amenities. The hotel offers several dining choices from Michelin-starred Chef Michael Caines including The Michael Caines Restaurant, Champagne Bar, MC Café Bar & Grill and ABarMC, a late-night lounge bar, which is quickly becoming one of Chester’s most desirable venues. Located next to Chester’s popular “Roodee” racecourse, the hotel provides a chic base for travelers to explore the city’s attractions including Roman ruins, Chester Cathedral and trendy boutiques that dot The Rows. www.abodehotels.co.uk/chester/about
Slated to open in October 2010, Casa Hotel, in the East Midlands, will be Chesterfield’s first 4-star hotel, located at the gateway to the Peak District National Park, England’s first National Park. Welcoming guests into the brand-new £20 million hotel, the grand reception finished with Spanish marble will set the tone of the property’s subtle Spanish theme. In line with its name, Casa Hotel is designed for guests to feel as if they are at their home-away-from-home in one of the 96 guestrooms or four luxurious suites, while in the intimate restaurant guests can enjoy traditional Spanish tapas. www.casahotels.co.uk
Bath’s newest townhouse-style hotel, The Halcyon, which opened in February 2010, offers visitors contemporary amenities in a traditional setting convenient for exploring the historic Georgian city that is a UNESCO world heritage site. The hotel offers 21 modern and sumptuously appointed rooms that feature state-of-the-art technology and luxury products as well as an inviting coffee bar that turns into a cozy bar in the evening. Housed in a Grade I listed Georgian townhouse, The Halcyon offers luxury appeal in a straightforward manner. Only minutes away by foot from the train station, the property is set in the heart of the city center allowing guests to easily explore the city’s rich history and attractions such as the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Pultney Bridge, Thermae Spa and the Royal Crescent. www.thehalcyon.com
Set on a beautifully restored 18th century estate on the banks of the River Tees, Rockliffe Hall, which opened in early 2010, is the newest and most exciting hotel resort to open in North East England, boasting a luxury hotel, a world-class golf course and a state-of-the-art spa. Each of the 61 handsomely appointed rooms offers guests beautiful views of the grounds and golf course, which is one of the longest and most challenging courses in Europe. Guests will instantly unwind as they enter the 50,000 square foot spa that offers a wide range of relaxing treatments, a fitness center and a 20-meter pool where spa butlers keep guests refreshed with Champagne and freshly squeezed juices. www.rockliffehall.com
Ideal for travelers who love the countryside and properties with history and character, yet hate to lose urban luxuries, the charming boutique hotel, Heacham Manor in Heacham, West Norfolk, is situated in a converted manor house, offering 14 luxurious bedrooms overlooking the Heacham Manor 18-hole golf course. Re-opened in late 2009, Heacham Manor was originally built in 1580 during the reign of Elizabeth I and features a celebrated 400 year old mulberry tree on the property. The family managed, four-star luxury hotel retains its country charm while affording guests the splendor expected in the finest hotels. Perfect for golfers, Heacham Manor offers guests the opportunity to take a golf lesson from a PGA qualified professional before taking advantage of the picturesque course. The hotel’s fresh and seasonal menu is created by Head Chef Neil Rutland who locally sources ingredients to create seasonal dishes of exceptional quality. www.heacham-manor.co.uk
For more information about visiting England, please visit www.VisitEngland.com