Clayton Hotel Chiswick has officially unveiled its £21m extension and refurbishment at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebratory lunch held in its 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,” he added.
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.
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,” he adds.
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.
