The historic Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel has undergone an extensive nine-month redesign across its public spaces, restaurant and bar, bedrooms and meeting rooms, transforming the look of the locally inspired hotel.Re-opened to the public on the 1st September, Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel is the second hotel the brand has unveiled in the UK that showcases its new lobby concept, which was first launched in Mercure London Bridge last year. Based on the “la table d’hôtes”, this new lobby concept puts the customer welcome at the heart of the experience.
Guests who are looking for a quick hassle free check-in and out at the stunning hotel, which is nestled at the foot of Box Hill in the idyllic Surrey Hills, are able to do so around an oak table by friendly staff who are on hand 24-7, to ensure all guests receive a warm Mercure welcome.
Mercure is a “locally inspired” brand and this is shown through the personal touches which pay homage to the literary roots of the area and historical background of the hotel.
Bespoke chairs with prints from John Keats poetry can be found in the new open lobby marking the visit of the famous poet to this hotel. It was here that Keats wrote Endymion and where part of the fabled Arabian Nights was created by author Robert Louis Stevenson. Poet William Wordsworth, playwright Richard Sheridan and author, Jane Austen were also known to frequent the hotel and local area. In the Emlyn restaurant words from Austen’s classic, “Emma” can be found quoted on the wall, reminding guests of the Box Hill picnic set in the novel. Retro Penguin books can be found in the library area of the lobby to encourage guests to submerge themselves into the literary world that encapsulates the area and hotel.
Modern art created to incorporate the woven pattern from some wicker placemats gifted to the general manager from Lord Nelson after his stay, many years ago can be found behind the host table in the lobby area and guests will enjoy spotting various objects such as little bronze cycling figures, which represent the area’s association with the 2012 Olympics also in this open space.
Miniature orchids that form the centerpieces of the restaurant are a nod to the area’s scientific interest and if guests look closely in the bar area, five Dorking cockerels hang on the bar wall, distinguished for their odd number of toes; five. The hotel’s feature wall will also showcase local flint, which pays tribute to the local materials found in the area.
The hotel provides guests with 57 bedrooms, which are elegantly styled with a contemporary and luxurious design that upholds traditional features. Each room showcases unique artwork, which is printed on antique mirrors and fabrics. To ensure guests have everything they need to enjoy a relaxing stay, each bedroom has been furnished with a new flat screen TV with international satellite channels and 24-hour room service is available. High speed WiFi is available throughout the hotel free of charge.
In addition to Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel also boasts eight meeting rooms that have been designed to cater for between four and 220 people so that it can accommodate a range of events and weddings.
The Tithe Barn is the biggest of the event spaces. It was originally built in 1600 and was moved to Burford Bridge in 1934. It’s stunning vaulted ceiling, said to have been built from the timbers taken from the galleons of the Spanish Armada, makes the perfect space for – weddings and special events.
And it’s not just the décor at Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel that has received locally inspired touches. The Emlyn Restaurant, the hotel’s two AA Rosette restaurant, offers guests a great selection of locally inspired dishes. For guests looking to celebrate their special occasions with a fine dining experience the hotel offers a beautiful fine dining menu called “Best of Burford”. There is also an All Day Dining Menu in the bar and lounge, which provides guests with a fantastic array of modern British cuisine.
Between May and September guests and members of the local community will also be able to enjoy swimming in the hotel’s heated lido, after getting changed in the original changing rooms – which have been brought back to their former glory.
