The best new UK hotels that have opened so far in 2022
Bed down in style in one of these fabulous newcomers, handpicked by expert Ianthe Butt
From a superstar spa hotel in Windsor to the world’s first net-zero hotel in Chiswick and a knockout foodie micro-hotel in the Midlands, here are six of the hottest properties that have thrown open their doors in 2022 so far.
No.1 by GuestHouse, York
After a rip-roaring debut last spring – No 15 in Bath – GuestHouse Hotels have turned their attention to a Georgian townhouse in York, close to the Roman walls, for their second opening. Behind a trad brick facade, British designer Martin Hulbert has writ his signature quirk large with an all-black Gothic staircase, raven-black violins hung on walls, and apothecary cabinet-lined corridors. In the sunny yellow Marmalade Lounge, mustard-coloured sofas sit next to a roaring fire and glass tables housing bobbins and pocket watches.
In homage to York’s railway heritage, No. 1’s bar is packed with engineering memorabilia and has a playful replica mini-steam train which chugs around the bar. Order an Utter Shambles (vodka, passionfruit, lime, egg white) to sip while soaking up the serious big steam energy.
Upstairs, the 39 bedrooms, decorated in soft Neapolitan ice-cream pinks and creams offer calm escapism, with dusky rose armchairs, Crosley record players (the vinyl library spans Prince through to Phil Collins) and 100 Acres toiletries. Snug rooms have beds tucked into alcoves, while fancy Bootham Suites have four posters and bathtubs with pretty mosaic screens.
While there’s a communal pantry for cakes and retro sweets anytime, at the restaurant meat and seafood heavy dishes reign – think mussels with cider and Shepherd’s Pie. In the basement, spa therapists get to work on unknotting sore muscles using Pink Organics products. To ensure city breakers make the most of their time, luggage collection by cargo bike means you can explore on arrival.
From £165, room-only; guesthousehotels.co.uk/no-1-york
The Vices, York
Smaller in scale but also making a stir in York is private house hotel The Vices. Founded by creative couple Daniel Curro – a chef and sommelier – and Moreno Carbone – an art afficionado – the three-room property is housed inside a Victorian former police station in Fulford, a residential area not far from the station. It reflects the Italian couple’s trio of passions: food, wine and design.
The trio of distinctive bedrooms each have their own charm; the first has a bed which “floats” on glass legs and an amber crystal bath, the second has dusky pink walls, velvets and a Japanese tub, and the third has a brass four-poster and moon-like orb lighting.
Downstairs, guests sip glasses of sparkling Italian wine in the light-filled bar and lounge, before heading to the black-walled wine library and dining room to feast on six-course tasting menus from Allium restaurant. Helmed by talented local chef Luke Sanderson, delicate dishes include scallops with rosehip, burnt onion and whey broth with smoked garlic mayo, and jewel-look handmade chocolates. Only one menu is served, but takeovers – such as a plant-based week – are planned, while breakfast is a spread of locally made pastries, breads and preserves.
From £350 a night, B&B. Allium tasting menu £70pp; thevices.co.uk
Grace & Savour at Hampton Manor, Hampton-in-Arden
Set in the grounds of Hampton Manor, the grand country pile with Michelin-starred restaurant Peel’s, comes new culinary escape Grace & Savour. An attractive brick building tucked next to the manor’s walled garden houses a restaurant, lounge with Petra-red walls and five Scandi-feel bedrooms licked in grounding shades of cream and olive, with light-filled lounges, bespoke wooden furnishing, concrete bathtubs and Harvest and Afrocenchix toiletries.
It’s helmed by charismatic husband and wife team David Taylor (a chef who’s ex-Maaemo in Oslo) and Anette (afront-of-house pro), who lead 24-hour immersive gastro-journeys, with a garden tour, tasting supper and cooking class the following morning. Fifteen-course dinners (with a veggie option) crafted with solely seasonal ingredients – such as Jerusalem artichoke skin bursting with tender artichoke and bay leaf pickle, rich spoonfuls of burnt Paviland leeks in a butter and beef garam emulsion, and leftover sourdough bread pudding – are served from an open kitchen. Clever drinks pairings span small-batch wines through to green tea infusions, but what makes things really special is how provenance is considered to the nth degree, with importance placed on soil health, how this impacts flavour, and fishing and farming partners chosen for their sustainable practices.
As well as a riot of art-gallery good-looking, exquisite food, the Taylors’ storytelling enthusiasm and commitment to the land is infectious.
From £350pp on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis; hamptonmanor.com
Leeds Art Hostel, Leeds
Fresh on the Leeds scene in creative Mabgate is a new art hostel with interiors by a raft of local and international artistic talent. After hosting a successful pop-up art hostel in Kirkgate between 2016-2018, social enterprise and contemporary art charity East Street Art has opened its first permanent offering, with all profits funnelled back into the arts.
Twelve quirky and affordable rooms are a mix of private doubles and dorms (currently only available for group takeovers) including “It’s Up To You”, which reflects Leeds’ 1980s protest culture through flyers and graffiti details, and the leafy “Rainbow Lodge by ViDa”, where reclaimed wood and natural materials add up to an eight-pod dorm with a stylish cabin-in-the-woods feel.
“Rooting”, a twin ground floor room by Sayang, combines soothing tones, floral touches, and a motorised platform adjustable bed and hoist, with a fully accessible shower room. Created with disabled guests in mind, plus those with mental health issues, neurodiversity and chronic illnesses, optional smart lighting, projections, soundscape and blinds offer a multisensory experience tailored to each guest’s needs.
Light breakfasts are served in a communal kitchen with a golden spiral design, which reflects the journey of the food through the space. For stellar suppers, the likes of fresh pasta joint Sarto are close by.
From £50, room only; arthostel.org.uk
room2 Chiswick, London
From Locke’s trendy aparthotels to Manchester’s lifestyle hotel Leven, a slew of properties which straddle the line between hotel and home to woo long-stay guests are more popular than ever. Joining the fray this month is room2 – a seriously sustainable hometel dishing up 86 pastel-hued rooms, all with space-savvy kitchenettes, off Chiswick High Road.
Described as the world’s first “whole life net zero hometel” (meaning that all carbon emissions from construction, operation and maintenance will equal zero), its many eco measures include water heated by solar and ground source pumps, carpets made from recycled fish nets, low-flow pressure showers, energy-efficient lighting, a zero-waste to landfill policy and wildflower-covered green roof.
Proof that climate-conscious properties don’t have to compromise on style, there’s a plant-filled foyer, vibrant open-plan restaurant and a bar lined with art-deco lamps and bird-patterned bar stools. Inviting bedrooms with pastel pink and blue colour pops have marbled wallpaper touches, dried flowers, navy striped headboards and specially-designed recycling bins.
Downstairs at Boca restaurant, chef Elisabetta Boi delivers spoiling Italian fare such as white truffle risotto and rum-lime tiramisu. As well as offering a laundry room and a gym with Peloton equipment, the hotel lets guests stay for a full 24 hours until 2pm, meaning absolutely no scrambling for check out if you fancy a lie in.
From £129, room only; room2.com/chiswick
Fairmont Windsor Park, Berkshire
After a long wait, the Windsor property that spa lovers have been waiting for – with more than 200 rooms and a 2500 sq m spa – opened this January. Set on the site of the former Savill Court Hotel, the newbie property has a Jacobean-style exterior with interiors that are more Dubai glitz than demure Brit countryside in style.
Lashings of white marble rub up against artwork inspired by nearby Windsor Park’s wildlife, a show-stopping glass-domed atrium and pristine bedrooms with gold floral wallpaper and Le Labo toiletries.
Wellness is the main event here, with 18 treatment rooms (where therapists tease out tautness during hot sandstone massages), a serene 20m indoor pool, Himalayan salt room, cosseting relaxation rooms with Mela weighted blankets, and a thermal suite with Finnish sauna, steam room et al.
Whatever kind of reboot you’re after, it’s covered here. There’s a Japanese foot ritual bath and cryotherapy chamber – suitable for use by those with life-limiting conditions – as well as everything from a medi-spa for aesthetic procedures to a mani studio, gym and several fitness spaces. A hammam, outdoor pool and tennis courts will open soon.
Restaurant highlights – there are seven to choose from – include Brit fine dining at 1215 (request a whimsical alcove spot, to dine underneath hand-painted forest murals) and The Orchid Tearoom for treats served in blossom-filled surrounds. A luxe crowdpleaser, it’s a boon for business travellers too, thanks to a conference wing and its location 15 minutes from Heathrow.
From £575, room only, including spa use. Day spa access from £75; fairmont-windsorpark.com
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