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It’s still early days for global travel to resume to the ways we once knew and loved, but with the vaccine now rolling out, we can only remain hopeful that the industry will slowly start to start to return later this year.
One positive of 2020 has been the rediscovery of the staycation. Having been grounded for the best part of the year has meant that many of us took the opportunity – when we could – to explore the treasures we have on our doorstep. With a flurry of new hotel openings slated to fling open their doors across the UK this year, there’s even more reason, therefore, to be excited as to what we have at home. Here are the hottest new UK hotel openings for 2021.
Boutique living comes to Norfolk.
(Credit: The Harper)
THE HARPER, NORFOLK
What’s the buzz?
Once a glass-blowing factory, The Harper – a 32-bedroom boutique hotel – gives a nod to its heritage with bespoke glass features across its artfully, individually-designed rooms.
What are the highlights?
The laid-back ambiance and elegant interior design. Expect velvet statement chairs, modern four-poster beds, warm oak floors and original art. There’s also a serene spa with pool and pampering treatments.
The Courtyard brings a magical feel for the summer.
(Credit: The Harper)
What’s to discover in the destination?
Set in the pretty village of Langham, in north Norfolk, this is just the spot to discover the ‘Champagne Coast’ with windswept dunes, crab fishing in uncrowded harbours, seal spotting and bird-watching on tap. The hotel has its own fleet of bikes to explore, or ramblers can follow the Harper’s Hikes, the hotel’s own bespoke walking routes.
What’s on the menu?
The food celebrates the hotel’s location – where land meets sea – and all-day dining is on offer throughout the hotel. Stanley’s is the main restaurant space but you can also order in Ivy’s – the living room area, with its gorgeous exposed beams and deep sofas. Come the summer time, the magical al fresco The Courtyard is the place to order grilled seafood with a glass of crisp rosé.
When’s it opening?
Spring 2021.
Interior design reflects a noble feel at the Fairmont Windsor Park.
(Credit: The Fairmont)
FAIRMONT WINDSOR PARK, WINDSOR
What’s the buzz?
The lavish new hotel from Fairmont will offer 200 opulent rooms, stunning grounds, and have a focus on wellbeing, with a standout spa offering.
What are the highlights?
The property is positioning itself to be the UK’s leading wellness retreat with a sprawling spa spanning some 2,500 square metres. There will be indoor and outdoor pools, 18 treatments rooms, a salt room, hammam and Japanese foot spa.
What’s to discover in the destination?
It is found next to Windsor Great Park and Savill Gardens – the stunning ornate gardens founded in the 1930s (the hotel is actually a multi-million-pound redevelopment of the former Savill Court Hotel).
Dive into the pool at the spa.
(Credit: Fairmont)
What’s on the menu?
A modern take on quintessentially British offerings, giving a nod to its regal setting. Guests can enjoy the tea lounge, Champagne bar, gin bar and fine dining restaurant.
When’s it opening?
Spring 2021.
Warehouse living at The Albion in Wales.
(Credit: The Albion)
THE ALBION, ABERTEIFI, WALES
What’s the buzz?
The team behind the cult Fforest offering – a unique 200-acre farm retreat in west Wales – is opening a 23-room hotel on the banks of the River Teifi, carved out of two historic warehouses. Fforest is a unique world of eco-led designed Onsen domes, traditional crog lofts, luxury garden shacks, a Georgian farmhouse and a myriad of wholesome foodie outlets – all of which embrace outdoor living. As the first hotel, the new opening elevates the rustic Welsh offering.
What are the highlights?
The hotel will bring more of a refined experience, yet maintaining the down-to-earth and simplistic luxury that Fforest embodies. Parts of the original buildings will remain untouched so as to be able to ‘tell their story’. Of particular interest is the historic graffiti drawn into the crumbling render of the third floor. The drawings are pencil sketches of tall ships covering many of the internal lime washed walls, which date to the second half of the 19th century.
What’s to discover in the destination?
You can delve into the world of Fforest – from the tiny stone pub – the smallest in Wales – to the wooden cedar-barrel sauna, but there is also lots to do in the local area, such as canoeing, surfing, bushcraft and archery.
It’s the simple things that are the attraction at The Albion.
(Credit: The Albion)
What’s on the menu?
Locally-sourced produce and heritage menus, showcasing Wales’s best, will be the real deal.
When’s it opening?
Spring 2021.
An artist’s impression of the new Graduate Cambridge.
(Credit: Graduate)
THE GRADUATE, CAMBRIDGE and THE RANDOLPH, OXFORD
What’s the buzz?
The US-made Graduate group of hotels – stylish properties found in college towns across America, which play on themes of nostalgia – are coming to the UK. The first, The Graduate, Cambridge, is to open is on the banks of the River Cam in Cambridge, followed by The Randolph Hotel by Graduate in Oxford.
What are the highlights?
Both properties are in walking distance of the town’s famous colleges, and have design inspired by the cities’ academic history, traditions and prestigious alumni.
What’s to discover in the destinations?
Aside from the many lauded academic attractions, both Cambridge and Oxford are, of course, multi-layered, with a wide choice of restaurants, bars and boutiques to explore.
The Randolph Hotel, Oxford will now be part of The Graduate portfolio.
(Credit: Graduate Hotels)
What’s on the menu?
Casual dining with cafes and bars as well as a laid-back restaurant focusing on British cuisine.
When are they opening?
Spring 2021.
Olga Polizzi brings her design flair to The Star.
(Credit: The Star)
THE STAR, ALFRISTON, EAST SUSSEX
What’s the buzz?
Joining the highly acclaimed Hotel Endsleigh in Devon and Hotel Tresanton in Cornwall, the new The Star in East Sussex will make for Olga and Alex Polizzi’s third UK property. With it comes the launch of The Polizzi Collection, to showcase the trio of hotels. Olga – Sir Rocco Forte’s sister and director of design for Rocco Forte Hotels – and her daughter Alex (better known as TV’s The Hotel Inspector) – have been busy renovating the property, in the medieval village of Alfriston on the South Downs Way, which once belonged to Alex’s grandfather.
What are the highlights?
The former Grade II-listed, 15th-century building will boast original features, open fires and oak beams, mixed with flashes of Olga’s sleek signature design.
The listed building has been given a makeover inside.
(Credit: The Polizzi Collection)
What’s to discover in the destination?
Lots of beauty on the doorstep. The medieval village of Alfriston is charming and the famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs are nearby. The hotel is also perfect for exploring the South Downs National Park. Also close by is the historic town of Lewes, Glyndebourne Opera House and Charleston House – the meeting place of the Bloomsbury Group of writers.
What’s on the menu?
Modern, contemporary cuisine with Italian flair.
When’s it opening?
May 2021.
Madehurst Lodge will soon be the latest Pig hotel.
(Credit: Bagshaw & Hardy Ltd)
THE PIG IN THE SOUTH DOWNS, WEST SUSSEX
What’s the buzz?
Found in the South Downs National Park, in the pretty hamlet of Madehurst, is the seventh hotel from the hugely popular The Pig group. Carved out of Madehurst Lodge, a Georgian manor house, dating back to 1770, The Pig in the South Downs will bring all the usual attractions of the ultimate ‘restaurant-with-rooms’ brand – field-to-fork dining, kitchen garden, cutesy rooms formed out of stable blocks and wagons and a Potting Shed spa.
What are the highlights?
This will be the first Pig hotel to have its own vineyard. The passion project was the idea of CEO and chairman Robin Hutson, with 4,000 vines planted in a two-acre field previously used for grazing alpaca. The first harvest, of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier varieties, is expected to be harvested in 2022.
What’s to discover in the destination?
This part of the world is known for its quintessential English countryside, with rolling green hills, quaint villages and stunning coastline on the doorstep.
What’s on the menu?
Like all Pig properties, if it’s not grown in the kitchen garden, then all ingredients are sourced within a 25 mile radius. Authentic, home-grown and local are the buzzwords.
When’s it opening?
Summer 2021.
The glorious country estate of The Newt welcomes The Farmyard.
(Credit: The Newt)
THE FARMYARD AT THE NEWT, SOMERSET
What’s the buzz?
From all its accolades, you’d think that The Newt in Somerset couldn’t get any better, but this summer sees a new addition to the innovative country estate. Dotted across a farm house, apple loft and cheese bars, the new arrival – dubbed The Farmyard – offers a selection of 17 rooms and suites, all serenely tucked away behind traditional cyder orchards.
What are the highlights?
There’s an indoor swimming pool, bar and games room. Owner Karen Roos has added touches of modern luxury to the rustic buildings with oak beams and blue lias flagstones.
What’s to discover in the destination?
Guests have full access to the glorious estate, including the main restaurant, spa, gardens, Cyder Cellar and The Story of Gardening experience centre.
What’s on the menu?
An authentic farm-to-table culinary experience with produce sourced from the amazing gardens.
When’s it opening?
Summer 2021.
The new Gleneagles Townhouse will bring a sense of the countryside to Edinburgh.
(Credit: Gleneagles)
GLENEAGLES TOWNHOUSE, EDINBURGH
What’s the buzz?
The iconic Scottish country estate that is Gleneagles is venturing into town – namely Edinburgh – with this swish, urban outpost. Found at 37-39 St Andrews Square, originally home to the British Linen Company which later became the Bank of Scotland, it has outstanding architectural features designed by notable architects and sculptors such as David Bryce and Alexander Handyside Ritchie.
What are the highlights?
The city dwelling will have 33 bedrooms, each uniquely designed and inspired by the heritage of the building. Gleneagles Townhouse will also be home to a members’ club – described as “a community with a passion for exchanging ideas, discovering new obsessions, collaborating together and simply having fun”. Guests can use exclusive private spaces, a gym and wellness offerings.
What’s to discover in the destination?
Edinburgh is there for the taking, but this is also the ideal pitstop for those en route to Gleneagles in Perthshire.
What’s on the menu?
A vibrant all-day restaurant will be perfect for breakfasts, long lunches and spirited dinners. The hotel also boasts two bars, including a striking rooftop terrace.
When’s it opening?
Autumn 2021.