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Published: 23 September 2022

The new 5-star Sun Street Hotel is the latest new property from Bespoke Hotels. The Sun Street Hotel is set to open October 2022 on the borderline of Shoreditch and the City of London. Behind the hotel’s traditional Georgian frontage there will be 41 bedrooms and suites, a restaurant and bar, a library, events and meeting spaces plus a sun terrace and courtyard.

This month sees the opening of Manchester University’s newest conference and events venue – the Grade-II listed Oddfellows Hall.

Behind Oddfellows Hall’s historic Edwardian Baroque architecture there will be 13 meeting rooms, seating from six delegates boardroom to 50 delegates classroom style, ideal for interviews, away days, training events and smaller conferences.

The Beehive restaurant on the ground floor will seat 128 guests with more informal catering spaces within the Hall.

Oddfellows Hall is located on Oxford Road in central Manchester around a ten-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly station.

Radisson Blu Perth has opened with 75 bedrooms in Perth - the Scottish city on the River Tay known as the “Gateway to the Highlands” of Scotland. The hotel occupies a landmark property that first opened in 1890 as one of the original British railway hotels.

Radisson Blu Hotel Perth has 75 bedrooms and suites, a restaurant, lobby bar and garden bar plus a fitness gym five large meeting and events suites and two ballrooms including the largest outside Edinburgh.

Lamington Group operators of room2 hometel brand have published plans to open three new net zero hotel in:

room2 York is planned to open September 2024 with 116 bedrooms.

room2 Glasgow is planned to open early 2025 in the city’s financial district with 134 bedrooms

room2 Manchester is planned to open early 2026 with 180 bedrooms and will become the group’s tallest hotel with 22 storeys.

room2 group currently have three hotels in the UK in Southampton, London Hammersmith and London Chiswick.

Plans have been published to convert the Grade II-listed former Debenhams building in Southport into a new aparthotel with around 20 apartments plus a restaurant and bar.

The building is located in the Lord Street Conservation Area in central Southport and has remained vacant since 2020.

The Grade II-listed Eldon Chambers in the centre of Newcastle are set to be converted into a new boutique hotel.

Plans have been approved to convert the historic building on Newcastle’s Quayside into a boutique hotel with 26 bedrooms, a restaurant and bar.

Eldon Chambers dates back to 1833 and has been unoccupied since 2016.

Finally, Rocco Forte’s city hotels have partnered with theatres, opera houses and musicians in each location to provide performances for guests available to order alongside in-suite dining from the hotels’ restaurants.

Rocco Forte UK sites include The Balmoral in Edinburgh and Brown’s Hotel in London.

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Published: 14 September 2022

The Edyn Group has announced its acquisition of the NH Kensington Hotel. It is part of the group’s planned extension of their lifestyle brand – Locke. 

Planned to open in June 2023, the Locke aparthotel will include 121 apartments, ranging from studios to one and two-bedroom open-plan units. The hotel will also include a lobby and common areas plus a bar, restaurant, co-working space, meeting areas and private gardens.

The new Locke aparthotel will be located in Cromwell Road, around five minutes from Earls Court tube station. It will be Edyn’s sixth Locke in London joining Kingsland Locke, Buckle Street Studios by Locke, Locke at Broken Wharf, Leman Locke and Bermonds Locke.   

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Published: 08 September 2022

A further brief summary of some of the stories you may have missed during our newsdesk’s ‘extended’ summer break.

De Vere Selsdon Estate in Croydon is set to undergo a major refurbishment before it is relaunched next year as the second Birch Hotel in the UK. The first Birch Hotel opened on the former De Vere Theobalds Estate hotel in Cheshunt. Selsdon Estate is located in 200 acres of parkland. The hotel has 150 bedrooms, a selection of dining options, a leisure centre plus a range of meeting and events facilities.

The Park Inn by Radisson York City Centre is about to undergo an extensive refurbishment. Work will start during September and is set to be completed in spring next year. Originally built in 1969, the seven-storey hotel has undergone a number of refurbishments over the years. Park Inn by Radisson York City Centre has 200 bedrooms, a range of dining options, twelve meeting and events suites with the largest seating up to 200 delegates. 

Holiday Inn London Oxford Circus is to get £34million facelift which will upgrade the hotel to ‘boutique’ status. The number of bedrooms will also be increased to 171. The hotel currently has six new air-conditioned meeting rooms plus a fitness centre. Holiday Inn London Oxford Circus is located in Welbeck Street, a short walk from Oxford Circus tube station

Over the summer plans to transform the site of the Grade II-listed Methodist Central Hall in the centre of Birmingham have been approved. Plans envisage a 155 bedroom hotel with a rooftop restaurant and bar plus events and meeting space. We will monitor progress on the exciting new development in the city.

Construction work has started in the centre of Leeds on the new Sovereign Square Hotel. Interstate Group will operate the hotel under the two Hyatt brands: Hyatt House and Hyatt Place. It will be a 12 storey building with 305 bedrooms, meeting and events space, a ground floor restaurant and bar plus a rooftop bar. The hotel will also feature an on-site gym. Completion dates await publication.

The Ploberger Hotel Group is bringing forward proposals for a new sustainable hotel-led development in the City of London. The hotel will include 311 bedrooms and suites, a ground floor cafe/bar, a rooftop restaurant plus meeting and events spaces and co-working areas. The hotel development is at Boundary House on Jewry Street in the Square Mile. We will monitor developments.

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Published: 19 September 2022

Hotel news you may have missed last week:

The Hoxton is opening its fourth hotel in London in December 2022  - located in Shepherd’s Bush. The Hoxton Shepherd’s Bush will be a 237-bedroom hotel and will feature a large open lobby, a central bar and terrace plus meeting and events space. The Hoxton Shepherd’s Bush will also be home to Thai-Americana all-day restaurant: Chet’s. The Hoxton’s meeting and events concept – the Apartment – will be located on the ground floor with four rooms centred around a communal Pantry Kitchen. The Hoxton Shepherd’s Bush will be located on the north end of Shepherd’s Bush Green, close to Shepherd’s Bush Market.

Plans for the next phase of a landmark science and tech-focused development at Alderley Park in Cheshire have now been submitted. They include meeting and events facilities. The new developments will support the development of the UK’s largest single-site campus, which is already home to more than 250 companies. It will be suitable for life sciences, technology and healthcare companies, particularly those working in drug discovery and development, diagnostics, digital health and AI sectors. Meanwhile, new office building planned alongside will provide workspace across six floors, offering coworking, serviced, meeting and managed spaces. Facilities will include flexible meeting rooms, lounge areas, an outdoor terrace and a hospitality offering as well as providing new amenities for all the existing Alderley Park community. We will monitor developments particularly regarding the meeting and events facilities.

Manor House Hotel in Alsager, Cheshire has just completed its second phase of its spa development and opened a new 'English Country Spa Garden'.  A new Pool House, the final addition to the hotel’s leisure facilities, is due to open in November 2022.

Plans have been approved to convert the upper floors of the former Natwest Bank in Liverpool’s Caste Street into a 92-bedroom hotel. Plans have already been approved for a restaurant and bar on the ground floor of the Grade II-listed building. The building has been unoccupied since being vacated by the bank five years ago.

Plans have been submitted to create a new hotel on the site of a car park in Shrewsbury.  Plans would see the site in Barker Street converted into an 83-bedroom Travelodge set across three floors, with an entrance and reception area on the ground floor. Plans are currently with the Shropshire Council.

Northop Hall Country House Hotel, an historic country house hotel in North Wales, is set to reopen under new ownership following its closure during the Covid outbreak. Northop Hall Country House Hotel is located in the village of Northop Hall within nine acres of private woodland and secluded gardens. Northop Hall Country House Hotel has 37 bedrooms, three meeting rooms, a restaurant and bar plus a banqueting suite for 150 guests. Northop Hall Country House Hotel is around 10 minutes from Chester and Mold, and a half an hour's drive from Manchester and Liverpool.

De Vere Latimer Estate, located near Chesham in Buckinghamshire has just unveiled the results of a refurbishment to its contemporary standalone events centre -The Mews. All 23 bedrooms have been refurbished and re-styled. The Mews with its double height glass atrium, has also seen its lobby transformed to provide a stylish, flexible space. De Vere Latimer Estate is set in 30 acres of Buckinghamshire countryside. It offers 27 flexible spaces for conferences, meetings, training and teambuilding across three different locations, each with its own dedicated entrance and parking. Leisure facilities include a pool, sauna and steam room.

Leicester City Football Club is seeking planning permission to extend their King Power Stadium. A new hotel together with a multi-purpose arena form part of the club’s plans.

Finally, American-based Great Wolf Resorts are behind a plan to build a new hotel and adventure park on a 46-acre site at Chesterton, near Bicester in Oxfordshire. It will be the group’s first development in Europe and will include a 500-bedroom hotel plus an indoor water park and an adventure park.

We will track progress on all these plans and report their progress.

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Published: 12 September 2022

The final brief summary of some of the stories you may have missed during our newsdesk’s ‘extended’ summer break.

Dao by Dorsett has recently opened in Shepherd’s Bush, West London. Dao by Dorsett is a 74 bedroom aparthotel. It is the first aparthotel as well as a new brand from Dorsett Hospitality International. Dao by Dorsett includes one or two bedroom suites, a multi-functional kitchenettes plus living, relaxing and working space. Dao by Dorsett overlooks Shepherd’s Bush with good access to London Heathrow Airport.

Virgin Hotels are back in the UK – or in Scotland to be precise. Virgin Hotel Edinburgh is now open in the city's Old Town area close to The Royal Mile. Located in the historic India Buildings, Virgin Hotel Edinburgh has 222 bedrooms and suites plus a range of dining options.

Meanwhile Virgin Hotel Glasgow opens officially in December 2022.  Virgin Hotel will have 242-bedrooms plus a range of dining and drinking outlets as well as meeting and events space. Virgin Hotel Glasgow will open in Clyde Street near to St Enoch Square and overlooking the River Clyde.

D&D London has launched Blueprint, a catered events space located close to London's Tower Bridge. Blueprint occupies the site of the former Blueprint Cafe, which Sir Terence Conran opened in 1989 at what was then the Design Museum. Blueprint can host a range of events from dinners for 30 guests to parties for 150 or more.

During the summer Hilton Hotels launched a new boutique hotel concept in London - Lost Property. Lost Property – Curio Collection by Hilton is located on Ludgate Hill just 100 metres from St Paul’s Cathedral in central London. It has 145 bedrooms and suites each featuring a marble bathroom and an ‘industrial-chic’ design.  Lost Property – Curio Collection by Hilton features a restaurant and bar called ‘Found’ plus a coffee house known as ‘Tattle’ as well as a fitness centre,

A new Hampton by Hilton is currently under construction at the Upperbanks site in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.  A ‘topping out’ of the building was celebrated during the summer. Hampton By Hilton Upperbanks Rochdale will have 146 bedrooms when it opens next year. It will share a new 10-storey building with 242 private apartments.

citizenM has opened its fourth property in London. citizenM London Victoria is located in Vauxhall Bridge Road. citizenM London Victoria has 226 bedrooms plus a Living room and a canteenM. It joins citizenM London Bankside, citizenM London Shoreditch and citizenM Tower of London.

Supercity Aparthotels have published plans for a new aparthotel with 57 luxury suites in Edinburgh. It will be located in Forth Street and Broughton Street Lane, in Edinburgh’s New Town district. Plans include a lounge and bar area, with reception facilities provided on a 24/7 basis, plus a gym. Development is expected to start later this year with plans to open in 2023. Supercity Aparthotels currently has six properties in London, Manchester and Brighton, with two new locations in York and Leeds opening by 2023.

Finally, if you want a vision of what a hotel bedroom of the future might look like then take a look at This is what the hotel room of the future will look like by 2034 - Lonely Planet

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Published: 07 September 2022

There follows a summary of some of the stories you may have missed during our newsdesk’s ‘extended’ summer break.

Bespoke Hotels are planning to open the new Sun Street Hotel in London in October 2022. Sun Street is a new five-star hotel located in a restored Georgian terrace in the heart of the City of London on the borders of Shoreditch and the City. Sun Street Hotel will have 41 bedrooms, a restaurant and a private member’s club.

The Crimson Hotel group has acquired The Trafalgar St. James Hotel in Central London with 131 bedrooms, several food and beverage outlets plus a rooftop bar.  The Trafalgar St. James is located at Trafalgar Square in the heart of London. It will be the second Hilton Curio Collection acquisition for Crimson Hotels, alongside 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel in South Kensington.

Locke, aparthotel operator, has announced plans to open a new location in London – Locke Kensington. Locke Kensington aparthotel is expected to open in June 2023. It will include 121 apartments, ranging from studios to one- and two-bedroom apartments. Locke Kensington aparthotel will feature a bar, restaurant, co-working space, meeting rooms and private gardens. The building was formerly the NH Kensington Hotel and is situated in Cromwell Road just north of Earls Court Tube station.

Closer to our base here in Birmingham, Aston Villa Football Club is planning a £100million investment at its Villa Park stadium. Plans envisage a brand new stadium which would include a new standalone multi-use entertainment, business, community and retail venue destination. If all goes to plan completion is anticipated late 2025.

Heythrop Park hotel in the Cotswolds has reopened following a £40 million investment. Heythrop Park hotel has 337 bedrooms plus three restaurants and a spa

The Landing Hotel is a new hotel opening at London Biggin Hill Airport in January 2023. It will include 54 bedrooms plus a restaurant, bar and a fitness suite.

The University of Manchester opens Oddfellows Hall in September, adding year-round meeting rooms to The University of Manchester’s venues portfolio. Oddfellows Hall is a Grade II listed building, a ten-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly station. It features 13 modern meeting rooms seating from six boardrooms to 50 classroom style.

The Albion is a new hotel which has just opened in Aberteifi in west Wales. The Albion is themed around Cardigan's maritime past. It has opened with 12 bedrooms (with more to follow) and is housed in a Grade II-listed former warehouses. The Albion is currently serving breakfast with full restaurant facilities plus an outdoor sauna in a private woodland glade behind the hotel, planned to open in December 2022.

Travelodge has opened its first two new-build “budget-luxe” hotels in the UK. The new properties are located in London’s Docklands and Hexham in Northumberland London Docklands Travelodge is located next to East India DLR station and has 350 bedrooms. It is also the group’s most sustainable property with solar panels on the roof, air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points.  Hexham Travelodge has 69 bedrooms

Accor has opened its first Tribe Hotel in the UK in London. Tribe London Canary Wharf has 320 bedrooms plus an all-day restaurant. It is located in Water Street around a five-minute walk from Canary Wharf tube station.

More summaries to follow