Young's adds boutique hotel rooms to Richmond pub
The new bedrooms will include three feature rooms and a family suite. All of the rooms will feature Hypnos beds, flat screen TVs with Sky Plus, complimentary WiFi, fully-stocked mini-bars and Algotherm toiletries, while the three feature rooms and family suite will also have king-sized beds, roll-top baths and walk-in showers.
Young’s has also transformed the bar and 80-cover dining room, with a new interior décor that reflects the The Orange Tree's rugby links and proximity to Twickenham Stadium, as well as the green spaces in nearby Richmond Park and Kew Gardens.
A new menu will be comprised of classics and specials made from seasonal ingredients, such as confit Gressingham duck cottage pie with Butler’s Secret cheddar mash; crispy squid, marinated courgette and white bean salad with lemon and basil mayonnaise; and a traditional Young’s ale battered cod and chips, minted peas and tartare sauce.
The bar will stock Young’s cask ales and London craft beers, with an extensive wine list and a ‘Shrubs’ vinegar cocktail menu also available.
Boutique hotels
The Orange Tree is the latest pub to be added to Young's boutique hotel portfolio, with its Wimbledon pub the Dog & Fox opening 17 boutique bedrooms in May.
The Windmill in Clapham also recently re-opened after a refurbishment of its existing rooms and the addition of 13 additional boutique bedrooms including feature rooms with roll-top baths, large walk-in showers, king-sized beds and views over Clapham Common.
“We’re excited about expanding our collection of boutique hotels and the considerable investment we’ve put into The Orange Tree demonstrates our commitment to our hotel estate,” said Andy Nash, Operations Director of Young’s Hotels. "We are confident that The Orange Tree will deliver the wow factor, and will appeal to both locals and visitors.”
Strong growth
Reporting its financial results for the 52 weeks ended 31 March 2014, Young’s said its hotel business showed strong growth last year, with room rates, RevPAR and occupancy all increasing.
The company also reported an increase in profits from food, which outperformed drink sales in its pubs.
Young’s plans to add a total of 46 hotel rooms to its properties in the first half of 2014, which will bring its total room count to 443.
