Untitled - The Queensberry Hotel

NOT WHAT YOU MIGHT EXPECT
not what you might expect
THE QUEENSBERRY HOTEL PRESS PACK
Bath is a city that is revered the world over. Millions of people visit year-on-year
and find themselves seduced by the inimitable, sweeping terraces of pale-honey
stone, the Roman Baths, the rolling countryside and the perfect mix of the historic
and contemporary within this very unique city
However, perfectly situated within those very
Streets is a boutique hotel that confidently strides
away from the norm and provides something just
a little bit different.
The Queensberry Hotel, with its acclaimed restaurant
The Olive Tree nestling below, is the lovingly conceived
brainchild of Laurence and Helen Beere, who have
chosen Bath as their home and as the base for their
special creation. As a result they have lavished their
combined 40 years of experience at the pinnacle of
the hotel industry, a sense of flair and a meticulous
attention to detail to bring alive this undeniably
quirky property. Originally commissioned as a
residential home by its namesake, the 8th Marquess of
Queensberry, the hotel is spread across four beautiful
Georgian terrace buildings right near the centre of the
Bath World Heritage Site.
they step into their room - one of 29, all individually
designed and furnished following Georgian tradition
but with cheeky twists of contemporary comfort.
These rooms share an understated opulence: all have
enveloping beds by Vi Spring, flat screen TVs with builtin DVD players, DAB digital radios, MP3 docking stations
and CD players. The bathrooms - shrines to blissful
indolence - are equally beautiful, generously stocked
with The White Company’s finest products, and with
sumptuously soft white dressing gowns.
Guests step inside the front door and immediately
start to feel the individualistic Queensberry experience
wrapping itself around them. With the four original
properties now combined into one, people often find
themselves puzzled about where they are - but this is
all part of the game. And the uniqueness continues as
01.
NOT WHAT YOU MIGHT EXPECT
what really sets The Queensberry Hotel
apart is what guests can’t actually see
but can feel during their stay
Downstairs a set of comfortable sitting rooms and
The Queensberry Bar are there for guests to enjoy
at any time, day or night, as well as a walled garden.
And, below it all, the acclaimed Olive Tree restaurant,
where breakfasts, lunches and dinners are feasted upon.
Along with experience at Claridges, The Savoy,
Cliveden, Palace Hotel Gstaad and Bath’s Royal
Crescent Laurence and Helen have a passion for detail,
and an inherent belief that every little thing matters.
And this supreme dedication follows through into their
uncompromising attitude to service.
THE QUEENSBERRY HOTEL PRESS PACK
the local sourcing of as many of The Olive Tree’s
ingredients as possible, to drinks that are expertly mixed
day and night. Not for The Queensberry an average
wine provider or conglomerate spirits company. As a
connoisseur of rare and unusual tipples, Laurence has
discovered Eaux de Vie who supply The Queensberry
with all its spirits. As a result, The Queensberry’s
drinks list is brimming with stories and in-depth
experiences that you are unlikely to find in any other
hotel in the country.
It is this attitude - combined with contemporary
friendliness and informality - that surrounds guests as
soon as they arrive. A valet parks their car and has their
bags sent up while they’re shown to their room; Classic
FM is already playing on their digital radio, there’s a
complimentary shoe shine service on a traditional
tray that they leave outside their door; recent glossies
and paperbacks are piled up for them to devour and
complimentary wifi in the public areas is a no-brainer.
Everything is arranged with every guest unashamedly
front and centre, right down to the absence of a
minibar: a purposeful gesture as instead, a friendly
member of staff delivers freshly prepared, quality drink,
direct to their room, 24 hours a day.
This love for the finer things in life runs right through
everything that The Queensberry represents, from
02.
NOT WHAT YOU MIGHT EXPECT
“We’re determined that a stay at
The Queensberry shouldn’t feel like
a night in another hotel. It should
feel like a fabulous rest in a friend’s
very smart, spare bedroom”
THE QUEENSBERRY HOTEL PRESS PACK
Top all that off with a well-informed concierge who
makes it his business to be nosy. Alongside the rest
of the team, he is constantly on-hand to impart
knowledge about the most intriguing Bath experiences
and the hottest new local places and faces.
Laurence Beere says, “Bath is unique for a whole range
of reasons and, after a combined four decades learning
the art of the hotelier from some of the best in the
business, Helen and I decided it was time to create our
own boutique masterpiece here. We’re determined that
a stay at The Queensberry shouldn’t feel like a night
in another hotel. It should feel like a fabulous rest in
a friend’s very smart, spare bedroom, and our constant
feedback is testament that we’re achieving that.”
Laurence continues, “We’re fortunate to have a
property, originally developed by an interesting
individual, that lends itself so strongly to the slightly
eccentric, but always luxurious vision we wanted to
achieve. The Queensberry is now exactly what we set
out to realise and we’ve recently taken extra influence
from the son of our namesake - the 9th Marquess
of Queensberry. As a result his passion for boxing
has come alive in unexpected, imaginative touches
throughout the hotel and his story lives on in our
quintessentially British establishment.”
03.
not your average marquess
NOT YOUR AVERAGE MARQUESS
not your average marquess
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Like the hotel itself, the commissioner and original owner of the property, the
8th Marquess of Queensberry who had the townhouses built in 1771, had many
an intriguing quirk within his personality and career. However, it is his descendant,
the 9th Marquis who made sure that the name Queensberry went down in history!
A patron of sport known as ‘Old Q’, John Sholto
Douglas Queensberry, 9th marquess of 1844-1900
and British nobleman, was the originator of the code
of rules that governs modern boxing.
Like these men before them, Laurence Beere and
his team are happy to follow in footsteps of the
Queensberry family ethos - standing out from the
crowd and doing everything that little bit differently!
He served in the British army and navy and later was a
member of the House of Lords (1872-80) as
representative peer from Scotland. He is famous for
drafting (1865), with the aid of John G. Chambers, the
Queensberry rules for the sport of boxing. This code of
rules, superseding the London prize-ring rules that had
been introduced (1743) by Jack Broughton, contained
the basic provisions that govern boxing today.
The Queensberry rules were gradually adopted in
both Britain and the United States and by 1889 they
were standardized.
In 1895, objecting to the liaison between his son, Lord
Alfred Douglas, and Oscar Wilde, Queensberry left an
insulting letter to Wilde in a public place and was sued
for libel by the writer. In this libel suit, which Wilde
dropped, information was brought to light that led to
the conviction of Wilde for immoral conduct.
05.
boxing clever - the new Queensberry bar
BOXING CLEVER - THE NEW QUEENSBERRY BAR
boxing clever - the new
Queensberry bar
THE QUEENSBERRY HOTEL PRESS PACK
Fresh for 2009 is the final element that completes the Beere’s vision for
their property - The Old Q Bar. To bring this most important feature to life,
Laurence has engaged the services of Absolute Design
Absolute Design are the creators of interiors for
Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall, the award winning
St Moritz Hotel and Watergate Bay Hotel, also in the
West Country.
Queensberry and other associated images in picture
frames and added bespoke motifs to mirrors – creating
this classic British ‘tongue in cheek’ vibe. As a result, the
atmosphere created is upbeat and relaxed, regal and fun.”
Helen Blake and her team have immersed themselves
in the life story and influences of the Marquess of
Queensberry to create a stylish contemporary
experience designed to honour the heritage which is
Quintessentially British. With elements of cheekiness
and fun, the team has borrowed from, and enhanced,
the quirkiness of the Marquess’ story, utilising his effect
on the world of boxing as the core inspiration for the
resultant interior.
In addition Laurence and Helen’s team have created an
eclectic range of cocktails, all a twist on great British
classic and to top it all off, a cheeky new set of
Queensberry Rules have been devised to ensure that the
proper bar decorum and style are adhered to at all times.
Please find a copy of the rules included within this pack
Interior designer, Alistair Graham says, “The new bar
design is heavily influenced by the redesign of the
Queensberry logo. The place has a deep history and a
lot of stories under the surface – first appearances can be
deceiving! We wanted to create a space that accentuated
this almost regal ‘Britishness’ and celebrated it. A large
Union Jack floor rug, classic paint colours and a deep
studded upholstered bar are all part of the new space.
We have given this important area an identity, a sense
of place and belonging – as if it has been there for the
past 100 years. We have included the Marquess of
07.
the Olive Tree - passionate about food
THE OLIVE TREE - PASSIONATE ABOUT FOOD
the Olive Tree passionate about food
THE QUEENSBERRY HOTEL PRESS PACK
Like its rooms and its overall ethos, food and drink at The Queensberry receives
the same unashamed attention to detail, and the same passion for that certain
something you just won’t find anywhere else
The Olive Tree Restaurant, nestled in the basement
of the Hotel (but with its own separate entrance from
the exterior), continues to receive rapturous praise
from guests and locals alike.
The Head Chef, Chris Cleghorn, has honed his
exceptional cooking skills as the protégé of a trio
of world renowned Michelin Star chefs; Heston
Blumenthal (Fat Duck at Bray), Michael Caines (Gidleigh
Park) and Adam Simmonds (Danesfield House). At The
Olive Tree, with his kitchen brigade, he creates menus
that reflect the very best of British using only the finest
ingredients that reflect what’s bang in season.
Midford Valley and Norton St Phillip.
The celebrated Eades family grow vegetables on their
farm which is nestled on the hillside of Little Solsbury
(of Peter Gabriel’s song fame) and they often plant and
nurture crops to Chris’s own requirements. Mushrooms
come from a wonderful organic producer called
Mycomarketing and whilst they are a little further
away than other suppliers (based in Hampshire), their
philosophy towards sustainable production is a good fit
with The Queensberry’s - and the quality is first class.
Situated in the heart of the West Country, The Olive
Tree restaurant has the choice of a plethora of local
suppliers and it is simply a no-brainer that Chris and
his team are committed to sourcing locally. The menus
read like a who’s who of the most committed and highquality artisan food producers to be found in this part of
the country.
Expect to find signature dishes such as Everleigh Farm venison with
beetroot, dauphinoise potato and chestnut.
The majority of The Olive Tree’s meat comes from local
farms: lamb and pork from Bartletts at Norton St Phillip,
ducks from Madgetts Farm at Chepstow, and, during
the game season, birds are sourced from shoots in the
09.
THE OLIVE TREE - PASSIONATE ABOUT FOOD
drinks, darling?
THE QUEENSBERRY HOTEL PRESS PACK
Laurence Beere is particularly passionate about wine and spirits and when he set
out to create a wine list for The Olive Tree Restaurant he was determined to make
it standout and to bring together an eclectic balance of the traditional and the new,
the serious and the fun
Rather than engage the services of a well-known
bulk hospitality provider, with all of the more
standard top drinks ranges, he discovered Eaux de
Vie, the number one importer who, in its own words,
only works with ‘very special spirits’.
As a result, the teams at both The Queensberry and
Eaux de Vie were very proud to have been identified
for particular note by the AA Restaurant Guide and
the Good Food Guide for this expansive and inspiring
beverage list.
As a result, the Queensberry’s beverage list is a myriad
of stories - with rare whiskies sourced from the smallest
distilleries in Scotland (obviously!), Ireland, Japan and
The States and the very finest of spirits that provide the
palate with the cleanest and most satisfying of tastes.
Again, in a daringly different way, The Queensberry’s
wine list is quite unlike any other. Laurence works
with six main wine suppliers and has tasked them with
sourcing an unusual and top quality set of wines for
the hotel’s list. What really sets it all apart however is
its layout. The same old list, created region by region,
is not for the Queensberry. The Queensberry wine
list is created to show the characteristics of the wines
within it, and headings such as ‘Full Rich Ripe and
Toasty’ or ‘Mouthwatering Sweet and Sour Reds’, allow
connoisseurs and novices alike to select the perfect
choice with attentive assistance from the continually
trained team.
10.
undercover Bath
UNDERCOVER BATH
undercover Bath
THE QUEENSBERRY HOTEL PRESS PACK
To close your eyes and conjure an image of Bath is to envisage creamy, Bath-stone
buildings, lush surrounding hills, narrow streets, broad crescents and imposing
squares, and a profusion of small, independent, high-quality shops
However, this special city is no preserved-forposterity museum piece. It teems with life, with bars,
cafes and nightlife, with theatre, cinema and a vibrant
performance culture, both mainstream and fringe.
And the concierge and the team at The Queensberry
make it their business to know everything that is
going on. Here are some of the places and spaces
topping their current recommendations list for the
ultimate Bath experiences:
THE THERMAE BATH SPA
Those Romans were certainly onto something!
Over 2,000 years ago they discovered these natural
thermal waters and now this stunning contemporary
re-invention means visitors can make the most of
this day spa with a specific range of spa treatments
designed to ease the body and soothe the mind. The
Queensberry team especially recommends the ‘Watsu’,
a private one-on-one in-pool treatment where floats
are attached to the body creating weightlessness. The
therapist then performs different types of massage
including acupressure and gentle stretching. It’s safe to
say that nothing relaxes like Watsu!
CHAMPAGNE BALLOON FLIGHT
Imagine floating across the World Heritage Site
of Bath and the beautiful Somerset and Wiltshire
countryside with a glass of bubbles in your hand.
Imagine no more. Bath and its surrounds are home
to a gang of balloonists who head out twice daily for
an early morning or evening fly, and once guests have
experienced the ‘float’, it’s not hard to understand why.
BIZARRE BATH
If hysterics is more your scene than history, then Bizarre
Bath will be right up your street. Georgian Bath at dusk
has an atmosphere that is priceless - as does Bizarre
Bath. A convivial, under-statedly spectacular evening,
popular and enjoyable both for locals and tourists alike
and well-worth repeat visits.
12.
UNDERCOVER BATH
undercover Bath
THE QUEENSBERRY HOTEL PRESS PACK
Bath is renowned for its quirky, individual boutiques and if designer fashion,
lingerie, antiques or interiors is your thing, you had better be careful with those
credit cards!
NATURE ABOUNDS
If you are feeling the call of calm open spaces then
head out to Westonbirt Arboretum - an easy 40 minute
drive away and the perfect place for a long relaxing
walk at any time of year. Lose yourself amongst the
18,000 rare trees spread over 600 acres. Alternatively,
The Botanical Gardens in Royal Victoria Park (founded
in 1887) feature a wide selection on fauna over six
acres. Another ‘not to be missed’ for nature lovers is
the beautiful Prior Park, a National Trust property on the
outskirts of the city boasting one of Lancelot Capability
Brown’s most famous landscapes.
SHOP TIL YOU DROP
Bath is renowned for its quirky, individual boutiques and
if designer fashion, lingerie, antiques or interiors is your
thing, you had better be careful with those credit cards!
Here’s where The Queensberry team goes shopping:
The Dressing Room: a designer lingerie boutique
where you’ll discover the finest in lingerie, beach and
nightwear. Corsetry from La Perla, Marie Jo, Prima
Donna, Aubade, Verde Veronica, Cadolle and Wolford
and specialities in nightwear from Malizia by La Perla,
Luna di Seta, Diamond Tea, Louis Feraud, Verde Veronica
and Hanro, to name but a few!
INSTANT VINTAGE
For those with a passion for retro, Instant Vintage is
your shop. Featuring eclectic vintage-inspired fashion
and beautiful handmade jewellery, as well as a
stunning home accessories and an inspirational present
selection, you’re guaranteed to discover a coveted item
that already has its own history.
13.
UNDERCOVER BATH
undercover Bath
THE QUEENSBERRY HOTEL PRESS PACK
The self-styled Chocolate Masters of Bath take the name of their shop from the
Roman goddess Minerva who protected the city over 2,000 years ago
PREY
If women had wings they would probably fly straight
to the wonderful boutique of Prey where you will find
two floors brimming with clothes and accessories from
designers at the cutting edge of fashion including Orla
Kiely, Neisha Crosland’s Ginka and Transit. However,
Prey is not just about fashionable clothes - you will
also find an eclectic mix of home-ware, jewellery,
perfumes and toiletries, alongside Venetian mirrors,
armoires, wire chandeliers, luggage, bags, gloves, bed
throws and cushions.
THE HOUSE OF MINERVA
The self-styled Chocolate Masters of Bath take the
name of their shop from the Roman goddess Minerva
who protected the city over 2,000 years ago and whose
great temple lies just across the Abbey churchyard. No
one knows more about chocolate than the Belgians
say co-owners Philippe Wall and Thierry Spierkel
who were both born in Belgium. Their unique double
entrance shop offers a dazzling selection of every type
of chocolate confectionery including carefully made
truffles, pralines and chocolate of every kind.
For more recommendations contact The Queensberry team
14.
NOT WHAT YOU MIGHT EXPECT
contact
THE QUEENSBERRY HOTEL PRESS PACK
Please speak to Lauren McCann at th hotel if you require further press
information, imagery or interviews regarding The Queensberry Hotel,
Olive Tree Restaurant or Old Q Bar
Lauren McCann
Tel
01225 447 928
[email protected]