Bergman Design House has delivered the interiors for Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, transforming the historic estate through a design narrative rooted in landscape, heritage and contemporary luxury…
Bergman Design House has completed the interior design of Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, marking a major milestone for both the London-based studio and Accor’s luxury portfolio. The opening followed a £60 million transformation led by Select Group, the historic 157-acre estate has been reimagined as Fairmont’s fifth property in the UK and Ireland.
Working alongside Leach Rhodes Walker Architects and Accor’s Design & Technical Services team, Bergman has delivered an interiors scheme that draws deeply from the surrounding lake, woodland and parkland, creating a contemporary countryside retreat where heritage, craftsmanship and understated luxury sit at the heart of the guest experience.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere | Image credit: Bergman Design House
Bergman’s brief was to carry that sense of place through a full restoration and expansion, reworking the property from 81 rooms to 116, including 23 suites, alongside a new spa, revised F&B offering and refreshed public spaces.
The 1,715sqm Fairmont Spa, developed with spa consultant Rebecca Doyle, includes a 20m pool, hydropool, outdoor vitality pool, and sauna, steam and hammam facilities. Dining includes Gordon Ramsay at The Mere, The Club Lounge and The Orangery.
Marie Soliman, Co-Founder of Bergman Design House, said: “The Mere is a property with real history, and our responsibility here was never to impose a style on it but to let the setting lead. Every material decision was tested against that lake view. When a space has this much natural character already, restraint is the harder skill – knowing what to leave alone matters as much as what you add. We’re proud to hand this one over.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere | Image credit: Bergman Design House
“Every great brand begins with a story, and Fairmont is no exception. Our vision was to honour that remarkable heritage while introducing a fresh narrative rooted in timeless craftsmanship, emotional design and understated elegance.”
Throughout the hotel, every environment has been carefully curated to encourage connection. The public spaces celebrate the glamour of mid-century hospitality through sculptural forms, layered lighting and richly textured materials. The bars embrace Fairmont’s celebrated cocktail culture, providing the perfect backdrop for its renowned Classics Perfected cocktail programme.
The guestrooms and suites were conceived as peaceful sanctuaries, embracing Fairmont’s philosophy of approachable luxury through gentle palettes, bespoke furniture, fine linens and warm layered lighting that create interiors of comfort, serenity and meticulous attention to detail.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere | Image credit: Bergman Design House
Among the defining highlights was the opportunity to conceive the restaurant for internationally acclaimed chef Gordon Ramsay, where exceptional cuisine meets an equally compelling architectural setting – dramatic yet intimate, elegant yet welcoming.
Materiality became one of the hotel’s defining signatures. Mirror-like Japanese lacquer, expressive natural stone, beautifully figured timber veneers, handcrafted zellige tiles, bold coloured cement tiles, beaten metals and a restorative spa crafted from rustic timbers together celebrate craftsmanship and tactile luxury.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere becomes the fifth Fairmont property in the UK and Ireland, joining The Savoy, Fairmont Windsor Park, Fairmont St Andrews and Carton House.
Main Image Credit: Bergman Design House
