In the January e-newsletter VisitBritain says against all odds, 2020 still managed to bring us quite a line-up of new hotel properties throughout the UK. So, with that being said, we – of course – have high expectations for the year ahead and we’re pleased to let you know, they certainly delivered. Although the lockdown currently has hotels and accommodations on pause, we’re looking ahead to a few of the year’s most anticipated openings:
LONDON
· The NoMad Hotel – London, England (Feb 2021) – With its first presence outside the United States, NoMad has transformed this 19th century building into a 91-bedroom hotel with many of the original architectural features of the former Bow Street Magistrates’ Court and Police Station preserved and incorporated into the design. The hotel will open with the first ever NoMad Lounge as well as The Side Hustle, a restaurant offering refined pub fare.
· The Londoner – London, England (March 2021) and pictured above – Edwardian Hotels London’s first purpose-built hotel, The Londoner is being billed as “the world’s first super boutique hotel”. The landmark development near Leicester Square embraces the drama and heritage of its West End setting while offering five-star facilities and a pioneering approach to sustainable luxury design. The ambiance is boutique yet the scale is staggering, with 16 storeys, 350 guestrooms (including 35 suites and a tower penthouse each with cityscape views), six concept eateries, a state-of-the-art ballroom and a subterranean gym and spa. The two private screening rooms are an especially nice touch given the hotel’s theatrical neighborhood.
· Pan Pacific – London, England (2021) – Pan Pacific Hotels Group will make its first foray into Europe with the new landmark tower at One Bishopsgate Plaza, just across from Liverpool Street train station. The new Pan Pacific London hotel will have 237 guestrooms and suites designed by Yabu Pushelberg and will also feature the Square Mile’s largest hotel ballroom, an 18-metre infinity pool with cityscape views, and an abundance of landscaped outdoor space. Spectacular views of The Gherkin from The Signature Suite on the hotel’s 18th floor will be worth writing home about, too.
ENGLAND
· Bodmin Jail Hotel – Cornwall, England (Feb 2021) – Bodmin Jail is undergoing a £40m redevelopment and preservation project to become a brand new immersive visitor attraction (opened October 2020) alongside a four-star boutique hotel and restaurant scheduled to open in February 2021. The project will retain and enhance the unique atmosphere and sense of history that exists in the jail ruins. Holdings that date back to the 18th century are being used to create 70 spacious bedrooms with three cells to a room in the original civil, naval and women’s wings. An exciting new restaurant concept is also due to open within the hotel, giving guests the chance to indulge in a traditional afternoon tea or sample some hearty British classics.
· Artist Residence Bristol – Bristol, England (Feb/March 2021) – The newest hotel from Artist Residence will be their largest yet and will continue the group’s signature bohemian style, an eclectic fusion of art and vintage chic. Opening in Bristol’s trendy Portland Square in the heart of the city, Artist Residence Bristol will welcome guests with 23 rooms, a cafe, bar, garden and event space.
· Thornbury Castle (renovations) – South Gloucestershire, England (Feb/March 2021) – Once owned by King Henry VIII and Queen Mary I, Thornbury Castle has recently undergone a full refurbishment and will reopen in stages in early 2021. The South Wing will open first, featuring eight bedrooms, a lounge, library and events area, followed by the North Wing, featuring the Tudor Hall and further bedrooms named for figures from the castle’s history, including the Henry VIII Suite the Catherine of Aragon Tower Suite.
· The Harper – North Norfolk, England (March 2021) – The Harper offers laid-back luxury and a contemporary country eswecape in one of England’s most evocative yet undiscovered corners. Featuring 32 rooms, a spa, and fine dining using the best local ingredients from land and sea, The Harper is prepared to set a new standard for luxury hotels in Norfolk.
· Leonardo – Bristol, England (March 2021) – Leonardo Hotels is set to open its 13th hotel in the UK in March 2021. With 197 bedrooms and a meeting room, the Leonardo aims to be a low energy/green hotel situated near Temple Meads train station, convenient for visitors travelling from London (the journey now takes just 1 hour 17 minutes from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads, thanks to the new faster train route from GWR).
· Qbic – Manchester, England (March, 2021) – Coming early 2021 will be climate conscious brand Qbic, bringing their fourth European hotel to Manchester in March, with rooms made from largely recycled materials and a series of quirky sustainable initiatives and rewards for guests. Qbic Manchester is located on Deansgate, Manchester’s liveliest strip, and whats commonly considered the bleeding heart of the cities action.
· Leopard Creek at the Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve – Kent, England (1 April 2021) – Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve has unveiled plans for the opening of Leopard Creek, the 600-acre Kent wildlife reserve’s fourteenth accommodation to date. Situated in the heart of the reserve amid glorious gardens and with staggering vistas of the surrounding coastline, the luxury accommodation will also give guests up-close views of the resident wildlife. Guests can choose from two charming cub huts for couples, three elegant cabins (suitable for families of two adults and two children) or two stylish luxury wigwams with space for four adults.
· Hilton Woking – Surrey, England (Early 2021) – Located a short walk from Woking rail station and 40 minutes from central London, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Woking offers a convenient accommodation option for business or leisure travelers looking for a comfortable stay beyond the city. For business guests, the hotel is steps away from the HG Wells Conference & Events Centre, and for leisure travelers Woking is a convenient base for exploring nearby Windsor and the historical sites along the Great West Way.
· The Newt in Somerset – Somerset, England (Spring 2021) – South African mogul Koos Bekker and his interior designer wife Karen Roos opened their second country-luxe hotel, The Newt, in Britain’s bucolic West Country last year. Like their first location, Babylonstoren in Cape Town, the Newt has an onsite farm. This annex will be housed in a converted Georgian house on the site as well as co-opting several cow barns and a cider mill. Expect minimalist but sumptuous interiors.
· Graduate Hotels, Cambridge and Oxford (Spring 2021) – Graduate Hotels are set to open their first locations outside of the US and bring a taste of school-house chic to the university cities of Cambridge and Oxford. Inspired by the culture and creativity of Cambridge University and its world-renowned former alumni, the 148-room Graduate Cambridge will be nestled on the banks of the tranquil River Cam and will feature a stylish restaurant in addition to Poindexter, the hotel group’s cosy café and dining chain. The 151-room Graduate Oxford will incorporate bold colors and textures inspired by Oxford’s rich history and artistry, and will provide an ideal base from which to discover the City of Dreaming Spires.
· Sustainability Centre, South Downs Eco Lodge (Spring 2021) – The eagerly anticipated renovation of the Sustainability Centre’s South Downs Eco Lodge will see the transformation of the former Ministry of Defence building into a welcoming accommodation with sustainability at its heart. The new expansion will feature 12 comfortable en-suite rooms, an accessible room purpose built for wheelchair users, a specially designed kitchen and a combined breakfast and living room. The site will also feature a vegan/vegetarian café offering guests a range of tempting organic treats throughout the day.
· The PIG at South Downs – West Sussex, England (Summer 2021) – As the seventh property from this luxury hotel group, The PIG will open in South Downs in a lodge outside Madehurst Village. With its 20 acres, the group will continue to source the majority of its livestock and produce from its own farming efforts, with the rest coming from no further than another 25 miles. The land is also perfect for a vineyard, as South of England continues to receive praise and accolades for its growing wine region. The continuously warming climate make the soil very similar to that of France, and perfect for sparkling wine, among others.
· Eden Project Hotel – Cornwall, England (2021) – One of the most highly anticipated hotels will be housed on-site the world’s largest indoor garden. The hotel will have 109 rooms, all with the highest standards of accessibility, energy-efficiency and sustainability.
· The Wave – Bristol, England (2021) – Group glamping accommodation is due to open at the new inland surf pool, The Wave. This unique inland surfing destination opened in 2020, and in 2021 safari tents sleeping up to ten people will offer peaceful hideaways close to the surf.
· Moxy Bristol – Bristol, England (2021) – Part of the Marriott group, Moxy Hotel is currently under construction in Bristol and set to open in 2021 (date to be confirmed). Located at the end of the M32 in St Pauls, the 160-room boutique, affordable hotel will be in a convenient location for visitors looking to stay close to the city centre and Bristol Shopping Quarter with accessible travel routes nearby and the vibrant area of St Pauls to explore on its doorstep.
· Dog House – Manchester, England (2021) – Scottish beer brewing giants BrewDog have announced that they will open their first hotel in England, following the success of the DogHouse brand in Scotland and the USA. No opening date has been fixed yet but the 25-bedroom hotel is aiming to be open before the end of the year featuring Punk IPA on tap in every room, beer fridges in the showers, a rooftop terrace with fire pit, and will allow guests to bring their pets.
SCOTLAND
· Gleneagles Townhouse – Edinburgh, Scotland (Oct 2021) – The iconic Gleneagles sporting and country estate will open its first city location in Edinburgh this autumn. Situated in chic St. Andrew Square, Gleneagles Townhouse will feature 33 unique bedrooms, a vibrant all-day restaurant and two bars including a rooftop terrace offering spectacular views over the city.
· W Edinburgh – Edinburgh, Scotland (2021) – Another first! W Edinburgh will make its debut in Scotland. The hotel will offer 214 stylish guest rooms. The rooftop will feature a popular destination bar and outdoor terrace, offering guests and locals 360-degree panoramic views of the historic skyline.
· 100 Princes Street, Red Carnation Hotel Group – Edinburgh, Scotland (2021) – This London-based boutique hotel group will bring its first property to Scotland, offering up the most beautiful and interrupted views of Edinburgh Castle as well as unparalleled service in its 20 rooms.