Down Hall to undergo lounge and ground refurb amid £2.8m investment

The 110-acre country house hotel and spa, Down Hall in Essex, has announced it is to continue its £2.8m investment in the property with the development of its bar, lounge and outdoor facilities. The refurbishment is part of a continued commitment to “develop and elevate” the property following an “extensive refurbishment” of the hotel’s West Wing in August 2019, along with the reception area and Garden Room restaurant last year. Having begun work during the pandemic, externally a one-acre kitchen garden and apple tree orchard have been planted whilst a new landscaped wedding garden has been established. The hotel’s tennis facilities have also been expanded with a new padel tennis court while a woodland trim trail experience has also been opened. A new 120-cover al fresco dining terrace will follow in May 2022, as an extension of the hotel’s recently renovated restaurant Garden Room. Overseen by design agency, Bespoqe, the project will see the hotel’s bar and lounge renovated to create a “luxurious and elegant” space that “respects the rich history” of the Grade II listed Italianate building, which can be traced back to the 10th Century. Alongside restoring and spotlighting the property’s period features, the new interiors will include a rich colour palette, bespoke furniture, new flooring, lighting and soft furnishings throughout. It revealed an illuminated 12-foot-tall bar will take centre stage whilst custom-made furniture includes chairs upholstered in soft leather and plush sofas finished in Italian velvet. A spokesperson for Down Hall said: “This latest phase of investment is part of our longstanding commitment to establishing Down Hall as one of the finest countryside hotels and wedding venues in the UK. The property goes from strength to strength and we are determined to ensure that our food and beverage credentials are in keeping with our established premium accommodation and events offering. “Our new bar and lounge, alongside our recently renovated restaurant Garden Room headed up by Executive Chef Graham Noonan-Chatham, which will include a 120-cover al fresco terrace by May of this year, ensure we are well on track to help us meet this goal, and we are excited to unveil our beautiful transformation in time for summer.”