The Forest Side Named UK’s Best Country Hotel of the Year
One of our clients, The Forest Side, has recently been named the UK’s Best Country Hotel of the Year by the Good Hotels Guide 2023. The Hotel is now one of just 12 winners of the coveted César awards.
HPA were approached by Wildsmith Hotels back in 2014 to reconfigure the dilapidated former hunting lodge, refurbishing the existing 23 guest rooms and creating designs for 20 larger ensuite additional bedrooms.
Alongside this, the dining room was extended in order to open out onto a brand-new garden terrace, with the restaurant itself fitted with exceptional, renovated facilities, a kitchen garden, and even a bespoke greenhouse attached. The Forest Side restaurant was later adequately awarded a Michelin star.
We ensured the conservation of the building’s historic features, even improving amenities to higher, luxury standards of custom-made beds designed exclusively for the hotel.
Situated in scenic Grasmere, Cumbria, The Forest Side Hotel and Restaurant offers elegantly refurbished and renovated bedrooms, as well as Michelin-starred cuisine, 90% of which is produce is sourced within a local ten mile radius.
HPA have assisted Wildsmith Hotels with multiple projects, utilising our multidisciplinary approach and specialisms in the leisure and hospitality sector to provide the best suited solutions for the refurbishment and extension of not just The Forest Side, but also its sister hotel Hipping Hall, located in the Lune Valley, Kirkby Lonsdale.
Working on projects like this, and seeing them later be awarded with the recognition they deserve, is a driving force behind our work. For this project, we also worked alongside interior designer James Mackie, and landscape architect Frances Truscott – and it’s wonderful to celebrate this success with all involved in The Forest Side.
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