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at Solent The Lodge at Solent, a new concept from Thwaites, has opened in Hampshire offering a fun, friendly and creative experience. A 5 million addition to the four star Solent Hotel and Spa, the Lodge at Solent combines spacious and comfortable accommodation with sumptuous, home cooked food. With a contemporary design and original features that have been inspired by the local area, the Lodge gives customers an alternative overnight option that is small on price but high on quality. Having been established in the area for over twenty years, Thwaites have an excellent understanding of what is required for a successful property. In addition to the construction of the 54-bedroom Lodge, the adjoining restaurant Parson s Collar Pub & Kitchen has also enjoyed a makeover with a new bar and kitchen featuring a wood-fired oven and ice cream parlour. Rachel Wootton, Interior Designer on the project, spoke to Premier Hospitality about the importance of creating an interesting yet simple design: We completed a similar concept at our Bristol hotel and from that we knew these lodges can work really well for us. The Lodge sits within the grounds of our four star hotel but we needed to make sure it offered something different to what we already have. It s a different operation and a simpler offering than the hotel. It was a really exciting project because I was able to put together the concept and design narrative from scratch. We knew it needed to have a take on the local area and this really inspired the ideas. It s a contemporary design with simple detailing and clean lines, which is reflected internally and With a contemporary design and original features that have been inspired by the local area. externally. Externally, there is cedar cladding set out in a contemporary way alongside glass panel balconies to seven of the rooms. Internally, the design takes a stripped back, no fuss approach. The bedrooms have bold colours set against a light and neutral background. The in-room furniture is simple and easy to use and reflects the contemporary linear form. A number of different materials have been used as part of the furniture, including perforated metal panels that make up part of the headboard and the desk design. The desk itself is a multi-purpose piece that incorporates a clothes rail, a TV, a lift-up mirror and built in shelving. Other room facilities include air conditioning, a 40 flat screen TV, Wi-Fi, walkin power shower, tea and coffee facilities and bedside USB chargers. Rachel added: The public spaces contain bespoke pieces of artwork reflecting local landscape and activity. In the double-height entrance lobby you ll find a 5 meter high mural created by a spray paint artist which includes a lighthouse and an iconic VW camper van. Along the corridors we have 3D pegs containing photographic prints and handwritten signage all lit by high and low level lighting to add drama. It s been a wonderful experience working www.premierconstructionnews.com 123
on this project. It s very much been a team effort along with the architects and the marketing team to create this cohesive scheme. Hopefully we ll be able to roll out more of these in the future. On the food side, staying at the lodge means guests can enjoy all the comforts of a country pub right on the doorstep. Parson s Collar Pub & Kitchen is an all-day venue serving home-cooked meals until late. Alongside this is a great range of Thwaites awardwinning cask ales, brewed up in Lancashire in their very own brewery. Popular choices include pizzas cooked in the authentic wood-fired oven and pub classics such as Thwaites beer battered haddock, thick cut chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce. Alternatively, those looking for a bit more of a continental flavour can pop next door to the Solent Hotel and Spa s restaurant and bar. Awarded an AA rosette, the restaurant serves a wide selection of Mediterranean influenced dishes. The Lodge can be found in Fareham, a market town at the North Vale Southern Construction Vale Southern Construction is a wellestablished construction contractor with a track record of excellence. Operating nationwide, the company manages all areas of construction, from new builds through to major extensions and refurbishments and this has culminated in an extensive portfolio of projects ranging from public houses and hotels to private dwellings and various schemes for local authorities. Vale Southern Construction has been in operation since 1994 and within this time has worked with a range of prestigious clients. Core customers include Whitbread (Premier Inn), Green King, Mitchell & Butler, Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council, amongst others. Most recently, Vale Southern Construction was appointed as the main contractor on the Solent Hotel & Spa project. Vale Southern Construction took the project from a hole in the ground to the finished article, managing all elements of the build in between. Vale Southern Construction s Managing Surveyor, Graeme Hodge, said: It was important for us to be involved in this project as our Head Office is located just 10 miles from the site. The project is Thwaites first build of this design on the south, so we were keen to highlight our capabilities. This was a flagship project for us too and it marked the first time we were able to build this particular design. Graeme added: From the moment the client makes contact, we strive to build an excellent rapport and a great working relationship. Every client can be assured of the highest degree of care and attention through the lifespan of a contract. 124 AUGUST2017
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West tip of Portsmouth Harbour. Both locally and slightly further afield, the lodge is a perfect base from which to discover, with a wide range of activities and attractions to choose from. Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve is a fantastic destination to explore while Titchfield Abbey is a beautiful piece of history. Hill Head Beach is a short drive away and is a stretch of shoreline that overlooks one of the busiest seas and is a great spot for watching the ships go by. The four star Solent Hotel and Spa is the perfect retreat blending relaxing overnight accommodation with great food and a tranquil spa. Thwaites Hotels are the current AA Hotel Group of the Year. The company s Chief Executive Officer Rick Bailey said: We ve made a huge investment in Fareham because it enjoys a fantastic location and is a big hit among business people and leisure visitors alike. The lodge is a fantastic alternative to our luxurious spa accommodation since it offers everything you d expect from the most modern guest rooms at prices to please every pocket. Brewers since 1807, Thwaites boasts a growing collection of pubs, inns, hotels and spas. Faithful to the principles established by founder Daniel Thwaites, the company is independent, full of character and always seeks to give an experience that is second to none. For more information on the Lodge at Solent please visit lodgeatsolent.co.uk. Wreake Valley Craftsmen Ltd Wreake Valley Craftsmen Ltd specialise in the manufacture and supply of bespoke bedroom and public area casegood for use across the hotel and leisure sector. The company has been in operation for 65 years and within this time has worked with many leading hotel groups including Hilton, Q Hotels, Hand Picked and Holiday Inn, as well as smaller exclusive hotels like Royal Garden Hotel, Rydges and Royal Berkshire Hotel. Most recently, Wreake Valley Craftsmen Ltd has been involved with the Solent Hotel & Spa project for Shire Hotels. Working on this scheme, Wreake Valley Craftsmen Ltd worked with Shire Hotels in-house designer to produce, deliver and install a collection of bespoke furniture. Andrew Duncombe, Wreake Valley Craftsmen Ltd, said: This project was important to us as we have recently produced most of the requirements for Shire Hotels and wish to continue this on-going journey as we build together and investigate new boundaries of design and craftsmanship. Andrew added: At Wreake Valley Craftsmen Ltd, we feel it is important to be practical and realistic but stick to what we say we will achieve that goes for both quality and delivery dates! We set a standard on every project, which the customer can rely upon and when we agree to a delivery date that is set in stone, so the customer knows they can rely upon us to deliver. www.premierconstructionnews.com 127