Clayton Hotel Chiswick yesterday [10 October] officially unveiled its £21m extension and refurbishment at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebratory lunch held in its glittering Chiswick Ballroom.
General manager of the hotel Thomas Doyle and his team were joined by senior executives from owner Dalata Hotel Group, Ireland’s largest hotel company, as well as local dignitaries, representatives from Chiswick’s leading businesses, and members of the press.
The work, which was completed in just two years, gives the four-star standard, 227-room hotel the modern yet warm and friendly values of the Clayton brand. Approximately 25 new jobs have been created as a result of extension and refurbishment.
Central to the new look is the redesigned and extended 200m2 ground floor and reception area offering an attractive, welcoming bar, premium coffee outlet, revamped restaurant, and comfortable lounge area.
“Guests want something different now and we have designed the hotel with their needs very much in mind,” says general manager Thomas Doyle.
“People no longer spend time in their room, preferring to be in communal spaces, even if they’re on their own. We’ve provided a variety of places to sit throughout the ground floor offering different degrees of privacy as well as space to work, relax, eat, hold business meetings or chat with friends – with super-fast broadband throughout.”
A further 104 bedrooms have been added to the hotel, while all existing rooms have been upgraded and refurbished with modern bathrooms, upgraded linen and beds, and stylish furniture echoing the hotel’s bronze and burnt orange colour scheme. Guests can choose from Deluxe, Executive, Family rooms, or King Executive suites, which come with a separate restroom, luxury power shower and a stand-alone roll top bath.
One of the most notable changes of the refurbishment is the positioning of the hotel’s reception desk, which rather than forming a visual barrier at the entrance, is now set to one side. This makes for a more enticing entrance and helps give the entire ground floor a definite buzz.
“We are thrilled with our refurbishment, which takes the hotel into a new era. Our welcoming feel will, we hope, give guests, local residents and businesses in the area plenty of reasons to come and visit us,” says Doyle.
The hotel also has a 54m2 refurbished dry gym kitted out with Precor USA gym equipment, as well as parking for 100 cars and space for coaches, and attractive bar and restaurant terraces.
Designed for functionality
Alan McClure, co-director of Glasgow-based interior design practice Cunningham McLean, has given the hotel a strong sense of openness and space, with warm, contemporary colours creating a modern vibe that’s inviting and friendly and blends with the bronze tones of the Clayton nest-inspired logo.
A cool atrium with Italian marble flooring and a huge glass chandelier leads into the revamped public space, restaurant and bar area. Beyond the relocated reception desk are further seating areas separated by open-shelf room dividers as well as a comfortable private library offering a greater degree of privacy.
“Our design team have created a soft look but with character through their choice of classic colours, quality wool carpets and high-end soft furnishings. Various lighting techniques help separate different areas as do the subtle room dividers,” says Doyle.
“Creating a welcoming atmosphere was at the top of our agenda and already we’re seeing the lounge used for what it was intended. Guests can tuck themselves away or sit at the bar for a drink and a snack or enjoy the lounge areas on their own or with friends.”
Grill Restaurant and Globe Bar
One of the final touches to the refurbishment was the launch of the new Grill Restaurant, with food produced by the hotel’s experienced head chef Gaurav Puri, and his team of 15. The simple, classic menu includes fusion dishes and starters such as Dorset crab on sour dough toast as well as steaks and fish from the grill. Main courses start from around £14 for a classic Clayton burger, with daily specials featuring seasonal produce.
“Our burgers, fish and chips and main course salads are proving popular for lunch, while dinner guests enjoy dishes from our grill with average spend around £24,” says Puri. “We also offer an Express menu for those with limited time for lunch.”
The hotel’s Globe Bar seats up to 80 and is perfect for meeting friends or popping in for a drink after work with colleagues. Barman Sean Elliot can guide customers through an extensive menu of artisan gins including Chiswick’s own Sipsmith and locally brewed Fuller’s Ales. The hotel has recently worked with drinks giant Pernod-Ricard, who have offices nearby, to create a tempting cocktail menu.
Friday evenings, with a live music set, are already proving popular as an after-work destination.
Meetings and events space
The hotel has a carefully designed meetings and events facility that offers guests maximum flexibility in terms of layout and style as well as a choice of rooms suitable for weddings, meetings, training days, conferences, parties or dinners.
With its own entrance and foyer the events area can accommodate up to 400 guests within 10 stylishly decorated, purpose-built meeting and function rooms. Each room has adjustable settings and seating styles, light, sound and climate control, as well as the latest technology and AV equipment.
Meeting rooms range in size from 26m² for more intimate gatherings to the grand Chiswick Ballroom at 250m² with its own bar and breakout area. Each room has its own beverage station, while dining can offer anything from breakfast or a light lunch to a gourmet dinner. www.claytonhotelchiswick.com. [Ends]
For further information and photography please contact:
Linda Pettit, Tilburstow Media Partners
Linda@tilburstowmedia.co.uk
Tel: +44 13 4283 2866 / Mob: +44 79 7378 9853
For Dalata Hotel Group contact:
Patrick Berkery
Patrick.Berkery@fticonsulting.com
Tel: +353 1 663 3684
Editor’s notes
Clayton Hotels
Clayton Hotels brand, part of Dalata Hotel Group, was launched in 2015 and consists of 13 properties across the UK and Ireland. Clayton Hotels offer luxury accommodation at strategic city and airport hotel locations in Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Galway and Wexford as well as in London (Chiswick and Cricklewood), Leeds, Manchester and Cardiff.
Clayton Hotel Chiswick, formerly the Chiswick Moran Hotel, was acquired by Dalata Hotel Group as part of the €452.3m [£324m] purchase of nine hotels from Moran Bewley’s Hotel Group in February 2015. It was rebranded with the Clayton name in May 2015.
Clayton Hotel Chiswick is conveniently situated just five miles from central London and eight miles from Heathrow, opposite Gunnersbury tube station. Within walking distance is Chiswick Park business centre. www.claytonhotelchiswick.com www.claytonhotels.com.
Dalata Hotel Group
Dalata Hotel Group plc is Ireland’s largest hotel operator, with a current portfolio of 40 three and four star hotels (owned, leased and managed). Dalata successfully operates the Maldron Hotel brand and Clayton Hotel brand throughout Ireland and the UK, as well as managing a portfolio of Partner Hotels.
For the full year 2015, Dalata reported revenue of €225.7 million. In June 2016, the Group moved its stock market listing to the main markets of the Irish and London stock exchanges from ESM/AIM.
For further information visit: www.dalatahotelgroup.com