Press and Media

Explore our press and media section for the latest news across the Hand Picked Hotels estate

Hand Picked Hotels champions the UK holiday with new tailormade experiences and specially curated stays for guests

Hand Picked Hotels’ Chairman & CEO Julia Hands announced today the re-opening of the hotel group on 4th July with the introduction of a new offering of custom designed and curated stays for guests.

Hand Picked Hotels Named Most Recommended Hotel Brand

Stanbrook Abbey Wins Hotel of the Year 2019

Stanbrook Abbey in Worcester has won Visit Worcester’s Hotel of the Year 2019!

Hand Picked Health Club & Spas Raise Over 2k For Macmillan

On Friday 27th September, the teams at Hand Picked Spa & Health Clubs took part in Macmillan’s largest coffee morning, raising £2,287 for the cancer charity.

The Grand Suite reopens at 5 star Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa

Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa in St Helier, part of the independently-owned Hand Picked Hotels group, has unveiled its newly-refurbished Grand Suite, re-establishing its position as a premier AA Five Star venue on the island for conferences, meetings and corporate events.

Stanbrook Abbey Hotel Showcases £4.2m Renovation with the Opening of The Refectory Dining Room & Terrace

Historic Stanbrook Abbey Hotel in Worcester, owned and operated by independent country house hotel group Hand Picked Hotels, has marked the completion of a £4.2m renovation with the official opening of their new restaurant, The Refectory Dining Room & Terrace.

Coming Soon to Stanbrook Abbey

We are evolving...

Bailbrook House in Bath Create Express Team Building Activity

Bailbrook House Hotel in Bath, part of the privately-owned country house hotel group Hand Picked Hotels, has teamed up with ACF Teambuilding & Events to develop a bespoke team building activity, The Crate Escape, when time is of the essence in more ways than one!

Audleys Wood Hotel Named Hand Picked Hotels' Hotel of the Year

Hand Picked Hotels, the UK’s leading collection of privately-owned country house hotels and spa resorts, has awarded Audleys Wood Hotel in Hampshire its Hotel of the Year.

Hand Picked Hotels Launches TV Advertising Campaign

Hand Picked Hotels, the UK’s leading collection of privately-owned country house hotels and spa resorts, is launching its first UK TV advertising campaign as it looks to expand its consumer reach and increase direct leisure bookings.

Lesley Bacon wins Spa Professional of the Year at Hotel Cateys 2018

We are delighted that our very own Group Health Club & Spas Manager, Lesley Bacon, has won Spa Professional of the Year at the 2018 Hotel Cateys.

Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa Unveils Refurbished Events Space

Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa near Dartford in Kent, part of the independently-owned Hand Picked Hotels group, has unveiled its newly-refurbished Terrace Suite following a complete floor-to-ceiling renovation.

Four AA Rosettes on the menu at Tassili, Grand Jersey

This accolade, which ranks Tassili amongst the very best restaurants in the UK, is awarded to very few establishments.

Stressed Parents in Britain Feel Too Guilty to Take Short Breaks Together

Setting aside quality time together to break the routine and get away from it all to relax, unwind - and even just to get some sleep - is something parents crave, but don’t get enough of, according to new research from independent country house hotel group, Hand Picked Hotels.

Hand Picked Hotels Appoint Graeme Nesbitt as Director of Food & Beverage

Independent country house hotel group, Hand Picked Hotels, has appointed Graeme Nesbitt as Director of Food & Beverage in a newly-created role within the senior management team.

L’Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa is all set for Summer with new £500k Terrace

L’Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa in Jersey, part of country house hotel group Hand Picked Hotels, has re-opened its outdoor terrace following a £500k refurbishment designed to make the most of its uninterrupted sea views.

Hand Picked Hotels Unveils New Brand Identity and Enhanced Guest Benefits

Country house hotel group, Hand Picked Hotels, has unveiled a new visual identity for the brand in an effort to strengthen its visual expression and reflect its refreshed brand vision and values.

Stanbrook Abbey Celebrates 1st Anniversary with Hand Picked Hotels

Stanbrook Abbey Hotel, a landmark hotel located in the heart Worcester at the foot of the Malvern Hills, is celebrating a year with leading country house hotel group, Hand Picked Hotels.

New Outdoor Wedding Venue Opens at Audleys Wood, Hampshire

Mayor Opens New Hampshire Outdoor Wedding Venue. Historic country house hotel, Audleys Wood Hotel in Basingstoke, launched its new outdoor wedding venue this weekend, Sunday 25th February, with the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr Paul Frankum, marking the official opening.

New Management Announced at Hand Picked Hotels in Jersey

Hand Picked Hotels, the UK’s leading independent group of country house hotels and spa resorts, has today announced a restructure of its management team in Jersey with a regional manager and two hotel management appointments.

Hotel of the Year Accolade for New Hall Hotel & Spa

Hand Picked Hotels, the UK’s leading independent group of country house hotels and spa resorts, has awarded New Hall Hotel & Spa its Hotel of the Year in recognition of an outstanding performance throughout 2017.

Hand Picked Hotels Celebrate Bicentenary of Emily Brontë’s Birth with Novel Winter Escape

Country house hotel group, Hand Picked Hotels, is marking 200 years since the birth of Emily Brontë with her literary classic Wuthering Heights being given away as part of a new winter leisure break.

Hand Picked Hotels Welcomes New General Manager to Guernsey Resort

Hand Picked Hotels has announced the appointment of Mark Platt as General Manager of St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa and Golf resort in Guernsey, the Channel Islands.

St Pierre Park Spa & Health Club Wins Best Spa in the Channel Islands

The Health Club & Spa at St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort in Guernsey, has scooped the award for Best Spa in the Channel Islands for the second year in a row at the Good Spa Guide Awards.

Hugo De Castro from Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa Scoops Boutique Hotelier Personal Service Star Award

Head Concierge at Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa in the Channel Islands, Hugo De Castro, has been crowned Concierge of the Year at the 2017 Boutique Hotelier Personal Service Star Awards.

Chilston Park Hotel in Kent Launches Wellness and Mindfulness Retreats

Historic Kent country house hotel, Chilston Park in Lenham, has launched a series of exclusive mindfulness and wellbeing retreats that invite guests to adandon technology, embrace creativity, escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and be present in the moment.

Hand Picked Hotels Launch Royal Package to Coincide with Launch of The Crown: Season One on Blu-ray™ and DVD

Historic country house hotel group, Hand Picked Hotels, is celebrating their hotels’ fascinating connections with royalty this October with the launch of a royal package to coincide with The Crown: Season One on Blu-ray™ and DVD out on the 16th October.

Hand Picked Hotels’ L’Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa in Jersey Completes £2m Refurbishment

Hand Picked Hotels, the UK’s leading independent country house hotel group, has completed a £2m refurbishment programme of its AA Four Silver Star L’Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa in Jersey.

Sleep comes out on top as Hand Picked Hotels back Sleep Council’s Sleeptember campaign

The UK’s leading independent country house hotel group, Hand Picked Hotels, is backing the Sleep Council’s Sleeptember campaign recognising the importance their customers place on getting a good night’s sleep whilst travelling away from home for work or leisure.

New General Managers Announced at Woodlands Park Hotel and Norton House Hotel & Spa

Hand Picked Hotels, the UK’s leading independent collection of country house hotels and spa resorts, has announced two new General Manager appointments; Peter Dornom at Norton House Hotel & Spa near Edinburgh and Richard Storey at Woodlands Park Hotel in Surrey.

Hand Picked Hotels Announced as Official Sponsor of Guernsey Football Club

Hand Picked Hotels has been announced as Guernsey Football Club’s Official Club Sponsor in a three-year partnership managed by Chairman and Chief Executive of the hotel collection, Julia Hands.

Stanbrook Abbey Hotel joins Hand Picked Hotels and launches campaign to attract visitors

The historic Stanbrook Abbey Hotel near Worcester has officially launched as part of the award-winning Hand Picked Hotels collection, with a major push on attracting visitors to the region.

Dorset and Hampshire Chefs learn Butchery, Grill and Chill at Rhinefield House

Top chefs from across Dorset and Hampshire came together to enjoy an afternoon of cookery demonstrations, networking and Clayzer at Rhinefield House, Brockenhurst on Monday (June 19). The event was kissed with glorious sunshine and took place within wildlife-abundant utopia that is The New Forest.

Hand Picked Hotels Pop the Cork on a Sparkling Summer Break

Hand Picked Hotels, an award-winning collection of country house hotels and retreats, has today released thousands of rooms for its seasonal leisure promotion, Sparkling Summer Break, which includes a complimentary glass of Prosecco as part of an indulgent dinner, bed and breakfast experience for two.

Ettington Park Hotel launches new lunchtime twist on British classics

Ettington Park Hotel, part of the award-winning Hand Picked Hotels collection, is set to redefine the concept of lunch time dining by launching an innovative menu which cleverly intertwines traditional Afternoon Tea with Sunday Lunch. The unique offering is one of the first in the country and will be available for guests to enjoy from 9 April, 2017.

Expansion for Hand Picked Hotels in the heart of England

Hand Picked Hotels has exchanged contracts to acquire an architecturally splendid gothic gem, Stanbrook Abbey Hotel near Worcester - expanding the award-winning country house hotel portfolio to 20 properties.

Hand Picked Hotels’ Channel Island Retreats Win at National Spa Awards

Hand Picked Hotels is celebrating two wins at the recent Good Spa Guide Awards 2016. L’Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa in Jersey scooped the Readers’ Choice Best Spa Hotel for Families award, whilst St Pierre Park Hotel Spa & Golf Resort in Guernsey won Best Spa in the Channel Islands.

Hand Picked Hotels celebrate strong nomination list for The Good Spa Guide Awards 2016

Hand Picked Hotels is delighted to announce a flurry of nominations in The Good Spa Guide Awards 2016. Six spas from across the collection of country house hotels have been shortlisted across five of the eight categories in the prestigious competition.

New Hall Hotel & Spa gains coveted AA Red Star

New Hall Hotel & Spa, the mediaeval manor at Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, has been awarded the coveted Red Star rating by the AA – the 11th hotel in the Hand Picked Hotels collection to be awarded the accolade.

Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell launches new-look Health Club & Spa at St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, Guernsey

Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell was the guest of honour at the launch of the stylish new Health Club & Spa at St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, Guernsey, part of the award-winning Hand Picked Hotels collection.

Two Hand Picked Hotels shortlisted for National Fitness Awards 2016

Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa and Rookery Hotel & Spa, both part of the award-winning Hand Picked Hotels collection of country house and resort hotels, have been shortlisted for the National Fitness Awards 2016.

New look for St Pierre Park Hotel

A £2.5m new look for Health Club & Spa unveiled at St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, Guernsey

Hand Picked Hotels is set to finalise sale of Derbyshire hotel to focus on expansion plans

Hand Picked Hotels has exchanged contracts to sell The Priest House Hotel, Derbyshire, as the group focuses on larger hotels for the award-winning collection.

Hand Picked Hotels awarded prestigious new AA Silver Star Awards

Four hotels in the collection achieve new status

Crathorne Hall Hotel unveils a £4m grand restoration

Historic Crathorne Hall Hotel in Yarm, North Yorkshire, will unveil a grand £4m restoration as it relaunches today (1 October) – one year on from the fire that badly damaged the east wing.

Hand Picked Hotels £2.5m new look at St Pierre Park Hotel Health Club & Spa

Hand Picked Hotels is undertaking a £2.5m refurbishment of the Health Club & Spa at St Pierre Park Hotel and Golf Resort in Guernsey.

Hand Picked Hotels acquires Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa

Expansion for Hand Picked Hotels with acquisition of Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa from RBS Real Estate Asset Management

Steel sailing ship docks at St Pierre Park Hotel and Golf Resort

A striking sculpture of a clipper ship in full sail has created a grand entrance at St Pierre Park Hotel and Golf Resort

Racing driver Alex Lynn sports a dash of Tudor at Silverstone

Young British racing driver Alex Lynn will be racing at Silverstone next month, with his car in the livery of Fawsley Hall.

Bailbrook House Hotel Celebrates Two AA Rosettes Success

Hand Picked Hotels is delighted to announce Bailbrook House Hotel in Bath has been awarded two AA Rosettes

Crathorne Hall Hotel re-opens for business

Historic Crathorne Hall Hotel in Yarm, North Yorkshire, will be re-opening for business on Monday 10 November following the fire that damaged part of the hotel last month.

£4.5 million restoration unveiled at Tudor gem Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa

A £4.5 million restoration is being unveiled today (12 March) at Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa – a Tudor gem set in the Northamptonshire countryside.

Rookery Hall Hotel wins National Spa Award

Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa, Nantwich, Cheshire, wins ‘Best Spa to go Solo’ in The Good Spa Guide Awards 2014

Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa wins Kent wedding award

Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa in Kent, wins ‘Boutique Wedding Venue of the Year’ in the Kent Wedding Awards 2014

Beat the January blues with an escape to the countryside

A relaxing countryside break is sure to beat the January blues

Soak in Serenity with Scottish Seaweed

Ishga Treatments Launch at Norton House Hotel & Spa

A Hand Picked wine tour of Bordeaux’s exquisite 2000 vintage

Hand Picked Hotels’ Chairman and Chief Executive Julia Hands has created an outstanding list of Bordeaux wines, featuring the stellar 2000 vintage.

Experience Britain's Splendid Heritage This Summer

Overnight stay with a three course dinner and glass of rose wine from £155 per night across the entire Hand Picked Hotels collection

Recapture History with English Heritage’s Iconic Belle

Enjoy a Hand Picked Heritage Break and Free Entry to Kenwood House

Spa expansion for L’Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa

L’Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa in St Brelade’s Bay, Jersey, is undertaking an exciting refurbishment of its health club & spa facilities.

Weddings at Bailbrook House Hotel

Space and style on offer following a £10 million restoration

Mothering Sunday Celebrations at Woodlands Park Hotel

With Mothering Sunday just around the corner, now is the perfect time to treat your mum by sharing a truly memorable day together at Woodlands Park Hotel

Hand Picked Hotels Showcases Three New Hotels at International Confex 2014

Hand Picked Hotels set to showcase three new hotels, now part of the award-winning collection at International Confex, taking place at Olympia London on 12 - 13 March 2014

Celebrate The Uk's Architectural Heritage this Spring with Hand Picked Hotels

As a celebration of the Georgian era gets under way this year to mark the accession to the throne of George I, Hand Picked Hotels is hosting a Heritage Breaks promotion

L'Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa launches new spa and innovative treatments

L'Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa launches new spa

Mothering Sunday Celebrations at Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa

With Mothering Sunday just around the corner, now is the perfect time to treat your mum by sharing a truly memorable day together at Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa, Northamptonshire.

Celebrate Shakespeare's 450th birthday at Ettington Park Hotel in Stratford-Upon-Avon

2014 marks the 450th birthday of the world’s greatest playwright, William Shakespeare

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