Hand Picked Hotels, the UK's leading collection of privately-owned country house hotels and spa resorts, is making its debut at IMM London 2019.

Founded in 2001 by former City lawyer Julia Hands MBE, Hand Picked Hotels has 19 architecturally stunning hotels in beautiful locations throughout the UK and the Channel Islands.

The majority of hotels are listed buildings of historic significance as former schools, country clubs, monasteries or private homes with acres of grounds, stylish bedrooms and a large dose of quintessentially British period charm.   Interior design is sympathetic to the grandeur and heritage of the hotels, making the most of their original features yet balanced with plenty of modern touches.  Elegant dining rooms serve modern British seasonal food, lounges and libraries serve traditional, savoury and contemporary afternoon teas and there are terraces, lawns and patios to enjoy in the summer, guaranteeing an authentic country house hotel experience that invites guests to relax and feel at home.  Ten hotels have dedicated spa and health clubs offering treatments from expert therapists using products from ELEMIS, Comfort Zone and ishga.

Its newest hotel, Stanbrook Abbey Hotel in Worcester, is currently undergoing a £4.2m investment programme due for completion in May 2019.  Home to a group of Benedictine nuns just a few years ago, the hotel was a unique find for Julia, offering history around every corner and a wealth of original features including cloistered corridors, a bell tower with far reaching views of the Malvern Hills, a chapel – The Callow Great Hall – and a quirky cellar with multiple games rooms and private dining spaces.

The renovation programme has been meticulously designed to celebrate the hotel's heritage whilst making it a more usable space and welcoming environment for modern-day leisure guests.  Relocating the restaurant to the ground floor was a top priority, introducing a new brasserie-style experience in The Refectory Dining Room & Terrace, in the site of the original nun's cafeteria.  In contrast to its former use, the restaurant is a contemporary space featuring zoned seating, sumptuous circular booths, warm lighting and a sun-trapped terrace, all designed to complement its creative menu of seasonal favourites and local dishes.   In addition, 15 new bedrooms are being added to the hotel, designed around original fireplaces and windows and finished in rich fabrics with features including roll top baths and picturesque views.

MEDIA CONTACT

Julia Gosling

01732 471 000
jgosling@handpicked.co.uk

Handpickedhotels.co.uk
@hp_hotels
@handpickedhotels

Images: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/u88k4mylmsckn5d/AADUKiLnE1J-wuOQO4v0kKlea?dl=0