It’s been 210 years since British hospitality firm Thwaites was conceived by its namesake, Daniel. His mission was delivering fine hospitality alongside fine ale.
His company has come a long way from its roots in the Lake District, recently named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. About 200 miles, to be precise – to Fareham, home of its farthest-flung spa hotel.
The newest addition to Thwaites’ destinations – the AA Hotel Group of the Year winners 2016-17 – is The Lodge at Solent, a 54-suite development with sincere leanings towards its closeness to the sea.
The Lodge at Solent is a funky and refreshing take on the motel concept, delivering an experience beyond expectations. From its Art Deco arrow delivering guests to the right place – The Lodge at Solent lies adjacent to Solent Hotel & Spa, its premium cousin – you surf into a welcoming lobby featuring a double-height mural leaving you in no doubt you’re almost beside the seaside.
A lighthouse and a VW camper, seminal accessory for every beach lover, take up the majority of this colourful, exciting design. This mighty mural is from Bristol-based artist Jody Thomas.
Rooms themselves are by Rachel Wootton, Thwaites own interior designer, who has created a stir elsewhere in the company’s property chain including at new-build hotels, contemporary inns, and at flagship alehouses across the country.
Corridors cede to ravishing rooms boasting both classic and contemporary touches that excite the senses and leave guests in the mood for fun. Seagull footprints in specially-commissioned carpeting lead guests to their room, ably abetted by striking seaside signage.
Rachel explained: “We wanted to go for a style that oozes sunshine and seaside, but at the same time nods to our Britishness. You’ll find classic telephones by the bedside, and some stunning works of art that make our guests feel both at home and on holiday.”
The lodge’s exterior polishes the experience largely comprising cedar wood which promises to stay sturdy against the elements. Salty air and sustainability do not bedmates make and Thwaites has been shrewd selecting this natural cladding to help the lodge retain its elegance long into the future.
