PRESS AND MEDIA

Country house hotel Rookery Hall wins prestigious 3 AA Rosettes for exceptional modern British fine dining

09-24-2024

Hand Picked Hotels, the UK’s leading privately-owned country house hotel and coastal resorts collection, has gained further recognition.

EMPLOYEE WELLBEING TOPS THE CORPORATE AGENDA

05-13-2024

77% of corporate bookers’ main criteria when booking a meeting venue is wellness and wellbeing, reveals research by Hand Picked Hotels

Hand Picked Hotels appoints Ignace Bauwens

11-29-2023

Hand Picked Hotels Partner With Noble Isle

11-01-2023

The two female-led, British brands partner to deliver a luxury guest experience through premium in-room amenities.

Hand Picked Hotels Appoints Its First Head Of Wine

10-01-2023

Expert Sommelier, Louise Gordon, joins the Hand Picked Hotels team to continue to strengthen its food and drink credentials.

Chef Joe Gould Joins Hand Picked Hotels' Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa

09-26-2023

Hand Picked Hotels today announces Chef Joe Gould has joined the team at The Cedar Restaurant at Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa as Head Chef from Glenapp Castle Hotel in Ayrshire.

Hand Picked Hotels Launches Wine Dinners in partnership with Villa Saletta

09-21-2023

Experience a Taste of Tuscany

SAVOUR SUMPTUOUS GREAT BRITISH FLAVOURS THIS SUMMER WITH HAND PICKED HOTELS BRAND NEW CULINARY EXPERIENCES

07-06-2023

From Solent sailing dining experiences to gourmet getaways, Hand Picked Hotels has a range of new magic experiences to offer at its luxury hotels.

DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF GREAT BRITAIN WITH HAND PICKED HOTELS CURATED EXPERIENCES THIS SUMMER

07-03-2023

Explore the beauty of the Malvern Hills, experience royal Bath and make the most of Great British hospitality before jetting abroad with specially crafted experiences.

HAND PICKED HOTELS SENDS HOUSEWARMING WISHES TO PPBF

05-10-2023

Hand Picked Hotels, the current sponsor of the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation (PPBF)’s Buy-A-Night campaign, has congratulated the charity on its third addition to their compassionate housing in Southampton.

WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF BRIDGERTON ROYALTY AT HAND PICKED HOTELS

05-03-2023

The break-out star from Netflix’s critically-acclaimed iconic Bridgerton returns on May 4 for her own spin-off series ‘Queen Charlotte’ – A Bridgerton Story, recreating her origin story and marriage to King George III.

HAND PICKED HOTELS BUILDS FUTURE TALENT WITH THE LAUNCH OF ITS SPA THERAPIST APPRENTICESHIP ACADEMY

03-20-2023

Hand Picked Hotels has launched its new Spa Therapist apprenticeship programme across the group, working alongside esteemed national provider Armonia Training Academy.

ROOKERY HALL, CHESHIRE LAUNCHES MINDFUL MEETINGS WELLNESS EXPERIENCE

01-20-2023

Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa in Nantwich, Cheshire has launched Mindful Meetings, a complimentary wellness initiative available to all event delegates this winter.

HAND PICKED HOTELS INCREASES SALARY OF ALL EMPLOYEES BY £3 PER HOUR

09-30-2022

Hand Picked Hotels, a unique collection of country house and spa hotels located throughout the UK and the Channel Islands has today announced a £3 per hour pay rise for every employee across the 21 hotels the group operates.

HAND PICKED HOTELS LAUNCH FREE DRINKS FOR DELEGATES IN SEPTEMBER

09-01-2022

Hand Picked Hotels are offering complimentary drinks to all delegates attending 24 hour events throughout the month of September 2022. Cheers to that!

CHESHIRE CHEF THROUGH TO SEMI-FINALS OF NATIONAL CULINARY COMPETITION

08-24-2022

A talented and ambitious local chef has reached the semi-finals of the National Chef of the Year competition after creating a stunning three course menu which impressed Michelin-starred chef, Kenny Atkinson, who leads the judging panel.

£20K FOR DEC UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN APPEAL

06-28-2022

Hand Picked Hotels’ Jubilee Charity Fun Days raise £20k for the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

ROOKERY HALL HOTEL WINS ‘LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR’ AT CHESHIRE AWARDS

03-30-2022

Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa has been crowned ‘Large Hotel of the Year’ in the Marketing Cheshire Awards.

JUMPING IN PUDDLES SET TO MAKE A BIG SPLASH WITH MAJOR NATIONAL SPONSOR

11-30-2021

BRITISH BRANDS HAND PICKED HOTELS AND JOULES PARTNER TO BRING STYLE TO THE GREAT OUTDOORS

11-04-2021

MOST RECOMMENDED HOTEL BRAND - VENUE VERDICT AWARDS 2021

10-13-2021

Hand Picked Hotels named Most Recommended Hotel Brand - Venue Verdict Awards 2021

Hand Picked Hotels Expand Portfolio in the Channel Islands

09-15-2021

Hand Picked Hotels, a family-owned group of luxury country house hotels and spa resorts, has completed its acquisition of three hotels in the Channel Islands.

Hand Picked Hotels and Jaques of London

07-13-2021

Two perfectly British family-run companies come together to make this summer the Summer of Fun…

Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa unveils a new destination spa

06-22-2021

UK country house hotel reveals £1.5m refurbishment.

Hand Picked Hotels Announce Acquisition Plans in the Channel Islands

05-19-2021

Hand Picked Hotels can confirm that contracts have now been exchanged on the purchase of Fermain Valley Hotel and Ziggurat Hotel in Guernsey and the Braye Beach Hotel in Alderney, subject to regulatory approval.

Hand Picked Hotels reveals ‘Inspired Meetings & Events’

05-17-2021

Hand Picked Hotels, a family-owned collection of British country house hotels, has announced its new meetings and events proposition.

Investment at Fawsley Hall with New Spa & Health Club

01-05-2021

Hand Picked Hotels has unveiled plans for a significant refurbishment of their spa and health club at Fawsley Hall Hotel in Northamptonshire.

Hand Picked Hotels Welcome Paws through the Doors

08-01-2020

Hand Picked Hotels has announced they are welcoming dogs to their hotels from August 2020.

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

06-22-2020

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 2019

03-10-2020

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

09-04-2019

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.

Dining at Stanbrook Abbey

03-15-2019

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.

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

05-24-2018

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

05-03-2018

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.

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’ 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

09-01-2017

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

08-10-2017

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

07-06-2017

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

06-21-2017

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.

Ettington Park Hotel launches new lunchtime twist on British classics

04-03-2017

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

03-10-2017

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.

New Hall Hotel & Spa gains coveted AA Red Star

10-14-2016

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.

Hand Picked Hotels awarded prestigious new AA Silver Star Awards

10-28-2015

Four hotels in the collection achieve new status

Crathorne Hall Hotel unveils a £4m grand restoration

10-02-2015

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.

Bailbrook House Hotel Celebrates Two AA Rosettes Success

05-12-2015

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

11-04-2015

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.

Beat the January blues with an escape to the countryside

01-02-2014

A relaxing countryside break is sure to beat the January blues

Soak in Serenity with Scottish Seaweed

06-12-2014

Ishga Treatments Launch at Norton House Hotel & Spa

Spa expansion for L’Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa

05-02-2015

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

04-01-2014

Space and style on offer following a £10 million restoration