Independent country house hotel group, Hand Picked Hotels, has completed a £4.2m renovation of Stanbrook Abbey Hotel in Worcester following its acquisition in 2017.
The refurbishment, designed to enhance the historic Grade II Listed venue’s position as a leading residential conference, meetings and events destination in the heart of the country, has resulted in a refreshed and contemporary events space, a brand-new restaurant on the ground floor and 15 additional bedrooms taking the total number to 70 rooms.
In stark contrast to its former traditional cast iron wall lights and dark tapestries, St Anne’s Hall - the venue’s premium function suite located in the old school house wing - has undergone a complete transformation to reveal a neutral and welcoming colour palette to complement its vast high ceiling and natural light. Elegant wood panelling has been crafted to sit comfortably against a backdrop of restored original features which include original sash windows now benefiting from retractable blinds. Mirrors replicating the feature windows have been sourced to add an additional feeling of space and light while new bespoke decorative prints and lighting, a new air conditioning system and an in-built projection and electronic screen add an upscale, practical finish.
The development also involved reconfiguring space to reposition the restaurant on the ground floor and convert unused former nun’s quarters into stylish new bedrooms on the second floor. The new restaurant, The Refectory Dining Room & Terrace is located in the abbey’s original dining hall and is a sumptuous yet modern restaurant retaining plenty of period detail including stone arched stained-glass windows and wood-panelled walls to offset a contemporary menu of modern British cuisine.
Julia Hands, Hand Picked Hotels’ Chairman & CEO commented on the refurbishment: “We spent considerable time planning this redevelopment to ensure the venue’s rich heritage and character features were protected whilst making sure it became a more useable and relevant space for today’s business traveller and conference delegate.”
Gordon Burniston, General Manager at Stanbrook Abbey, added, “The all-new St Anne’s Hall complements a variety of event spaces at the venue and the vibrant new restaurant and stylish additional bedrooms now complete Stanbrook Abbey’s proposition as the venue of choice for unique day and residential conferences in Worcester, Malvern and the wider Midlands region.”
For team building, conferences, breakout sessions and corporate dining, St Anne’s Hall can accommodate up to 120 delegates and offers direct access to the venue’s original library to one side, as well as a covered private patio and expansive lawn with fire pit to the other, making this an ideal self-contained multi-use venue.
Other spaces within the venue for conferences and events include the Garden Pavilion accommodating up to 400 guests, the East Room ideal for up to 60 guests and the Callow Great Hall - the building’s magnificent original chapel – which is a celebrated venue for corporate dining and drinks receptions. The hotel also offers an extensive cellar with games room, wine-tasting rooms and private dining spaces along with complimentary Wi-Fi and ample free parking.