DrakesNext month sees the opening of Brighton's latest design-led hotel in the shape of the 20-bedroom Drakes.
The look and feel of the hotel, comprising two listed Georgian townhouses on Brighton's Marine Parade, has been masterminded by Tim Shepherd and architect Michael Philips.
According to the official marketing spiel, the hotel's "opulent yet serene" design "mixes Orientalism with contemporary townhouse, a dash of Indochine French colonialism with a touch of decadence, and Georgian grace with ultimate comfort". If you're still none the wiser, check out the website.
www.drakesofbrighton.comSaint GregoryLondon gained its latest new-build hotel in May when the Saint Gregory opened its doors.
Located in London's trendy Shoreditch on the site of an old factory, the top floor of the four-star, 200-bedroom hotel features the Globe restaurant and bar, along with conference rooms with roof terraces offering views of the city.
Marketed under the strapline "chic, contemporary, convenient, city" the hotel is privately owned by Ray Grehan, who also owns a hotel in Maynooth, County Kildare.
www.saintgregory-hotel.comMarriott West India Quay
Last month saw the opening of the Marriott West India Quay hotel in London's Canary Wharf. The hotel, which features 301 bedrooms and a 47-unit serviced apartment block, took the group's tally of properties in Greater London to 25.
Marriott is also launching a multimillion pound renovation of the Grosvenor House hotel, scheduled to finish in early 2007, having taken over management of the landmark London hotel in February.
The Strand Palace hotelThe Strand Palace hotel in central London has just completed a £3m refurbishment of 300 of its 783 bedrooms and public areas. The remaining bedrooms will be refurbished within the next two-and-a-half years. Johnstons Brasserie has been relaunched as an informal restaurant with a stand-alone entrance.
www.strandpalacehotel.co.ukDakota hotel
The first offering from Malmaison founder Ken McCulloch's "boutique-style, super-budget" hotel brand, Dakota, opened its doors last month on Nottingham's Sherwood business park. The design by Amanda Rosa features a black granite exterior, oversized furniture, reclaimed brick walls and hardwood floors.
www.dakotahotels.co.ukThe Dolphin Hotel
The Dolphin Hotel in Southampton has received a year-long makeover at the hands of local architect and designer HPW Partnership.
In addition to the refurbishment of the 70 bedrooms, the hotel has been given a new hotel lounge bar, the Oak Bar; a female-orientated style bar with Arabian influences called Fruit; a grill restaurant called Bleu; and seven retail units.
The Scotsman hotel
The Scotsman hotel in Edinburgh is to open a new spa in September and plans to invest £3m in a major refurbishment of its roomstock, and expansion. The hotel has applied for planning permission to replace a large part of its conference and banqueting space, including the largest room, which holds 110, with bedrooms. This would increase the number of rooms from 69 to 90.
www.thescotsmanhotel.co.ukThe Landmark hotel
The Landmark hotel in London's Marylebone completed its £4m refurbishment last month. The hotel describes its new-look bedrooms, designed by US firm Hirsch Bedner Associates, as "luxurious and elegant with classic overtones". The choice of golden beiges, soft yellows and blues with large white marble bathrooms followed 18 months of research among regular guests.
www.landmarklondon.co.ukOne Devonshire Gardens
One Devonshire Gardens, the five-star boutique hotel in Glasgow's West End, has undergone a £2m refurbishment. In addition to a complete renovation of many of the hotel's bedrooms and the public quarters, the hotel now has a gym for the first time following the makeover.
www.onedevonshiregardens.com