Hotel Indigo Debuts in Shakespeare’s Hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon

Main Photo: A room at the new Hotel Indigo

Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, UK

Name: Hotel Indigo – Stratford upon Avon

No. of Keys: 93

Owner: Was the Falcon Hotel, owned by St James Hotels.

The project to restore the historic Hotel has not been without controversy, the owners pushing through with their plan to re-brand the premises despite local opposition.

The decision prompted outrage amongst some who claimed that losing the Falcon name, the building’s designation since 1661, showed disrespect to the town’s history.

The company has been keen to point out that the Falcon name will live on in the shape of the tea rooms at the front of the building, which will retain the Falcon name. A specially commissioned wooden Falcon sign will also be hung outside the Falcon Tearooms.

The building is believed to be Stratford’s longest continually licenced premises and has been owned by St James Hotels since 2014.

St James also have the Hotel Indigo in Bath, the Royal Cambridge and the Winchester Royal.

Brand: InterContinental Hotels Group has announced the opening of Hotel Indigo – Stratford upon Avon, marking the brand’s debut in the heart of the historic market town. A slice of bygone England, Stratford-upon-Avon is a magnet to visitors from around the world who make the pilgrimage to visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare and marvel at one of the most famous theatres in the world; Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Hotel Indigo – Stratford upon Avon is home to 93 stylish guest rooms with designs inspired by the history of the local neighbourhood. Each guest room pays homage to the town’s heritage, by using classic English materials such as wool and raw wood. A combination of antique furniture pieces and modern fixtures aim to create a contemporary space that celebrates the past with a modern twist.

The hotel guest rooms boast three strikingly beautiful room designs, which are inspired by the Bard and reflect Stratford’s history, which stretches back to medieval times:

The Tudor Rooms display the tradition of the 16th century building and offer a path to the past, with views of Shakespeare’s New Place, his residential home in later life.
The Georgian Townhouse is inspired by Shakespeare’s Theatre, the rooms combine a touch of luxury with homely charm.
The Contemporary Rooms in the new wing offer a sophisticated and elegant design drawing from its more recent 20th century past.

Meanwhile, the hotel’s exterior offers a blend of tradition and modernity. The beautiful Grade 1 Listed façade dates back to the 16th Century and was originally a public house. More recently, the building has been extended to include a new contemporary wing from the 1960s.

Throughout the property, guests will find a carefully curated selection of contemporary artwork, murals and 3D artefacts inspired by Shakespeare.

Carl Davies-Phillips, General Manager, Hotel Indigo – Stratford upon Avon, commented: “We are excited to have officially opened the doors to Hotel Indigo – Stratford Upon Avon. The hotel is a prime example of how Hotel Indigo brings the outside in; drawing on the local neighbourhood to inspire every aspect of each hotel, from intriguing design to locally inspired menus. From the restaurant onsite to the exclusive private garden, the hotel is a great place for locals to gather with friends and family. We look forward to welcoming many guests to enjoy Stratford upon Avon, Shakespeare’s home town.”

Karan Khanna, Managing Director, UK&I, IHG,commented: “The UK is a popular leisure destination with both domestic and international travellers, and has some of the world’s most popular sites steeped in heritage and quintessential British culture, Stratford upon Avon being one of them. The Hotel Indigo brand fits perfectly with the unique feel of this historic town. This hotel is the perfect example of how the brand helps to tell the local neighbourhood story and serve both locals and hotel guests.

The strong growth of openings and pipeline of our Hotel Indigo brand globally reflects the opportunity across the boutique hotel sector, which is among the fastest growing in the industry. We have seen a huge appetite for unique, design-led hotels in key neighbourhoods and we are we are excited to welcome guests from around the world to Hotel Indigo – Stratford upon Avon.”

The hotel features a restaurant and bar, The Woodsman, headed by Executive Chef Mike Robinson, co-owner of the Michelin-starred Harwood Arms in Fulham, whose passion for British produce and sustainable wild food is well renowned. Bringing his core ‘field to fork’ philosophy to Stratford-upon-Avon, The Woodsman delivers an exceptional dining experience with a focus on sustainability, seasonality and locally-sourced produce. A large wood-fired oven and charcoal grill will form the focal point of the restaurant, where guests can watch chefs as they prepare the finest British deer, wild boar, beef and Hebridean lamb; all raised on farms with the highest standards of husbandry.

The restaurant also has a Feasting Room that serves as a breakfast room by day, and by night transforms into a private dining room. For those who wish to dine in true British tradition, the theatrical and tapestried Feasting Room is available for hire, complete with a long central table for up to 30 guests. In addition, the local ales and fantastic wine will make The Woodsman a great destination to eat and drink in Stratford-upon-Avon.

There will also be a tea room, The Falcon Tea Room, within the restored building, the name a deliberate nod to the building’s past, as the renowned Falcon Hotel. Nestled amongst The Falcon’s historic wood panelling and crackling fireplaces.

Inspired by the neighbourhood around each property so just as no places are alike, no two Hotel Indigo properties are the same. Each Hotel Indigo property features thoughtful design touches and vibrant restaurants and bars connected to the spirit of the local neighbourhood.

There are currently 103 Hotel Indigo properties open globally with another 99 in the pipeline, including Japan’s first Hotel Indigo, Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora due to open later this year. In Europe alone, there are 31 hotels opened in key neighbourhoods with a further 18 due to open in the next 3-5 years. Recently, IHG opened the highly anticipated Hotel Indigo Venice – Saint’Elena, the first IHG branded property on the island of Venice.

Price: Undisclosed

THPT Comment: We’re big fans of the Indigo approach and this is no exception

First Seen:

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