BOUTIQUE HOTELS: EASTBURY HOTEL & SPA
Design Insider is pleased to introduce you to our next Boutique Hotel of the series, the charming Eastbury Hotel & Spa. Situated in the South West of England, in the small town of Sherborne, the Eastbury Hotel is an elegant choice and a perfect getaway for those who want to enjoy a hotel that has charming character and idyllic local scenery. Sherbone is the ancient capital of Dorset and is known for its cultural heritage including the abbey, castle & grounds, independent artisan shops and local pubs & restaurants.
The charming and characteristic boutique hotel is a listed Georgian period townhouse that dates back to 1740. Located within a remarkable enclosed garden in the medieval and mellow-stoned tone, the hotel offers a private place to appreciate the architecture whilst experiencing a traditional but calming ambience. The 2018 acquired owners, Peter & Lana de Savary have continued to infuse the hotel with charm whilst also making it feel like a home.
Since 2018, the hotel has been completely renovated with an additional five bedrooms being added, taking the total number of rooms to 26. The five ‘Victorian Garden Potting Shed Suites’ opened in mid-August of 2019 and were designed to look like a typical Victorian potting shed, with a surprise of luxury on the inside.
New for 2020, the Eastbury hotel added a three-bedroom Eastbury Cottage to the grounds. With origins dating back to the 17th century, the old-style character cottage has been restored and furnished to provide a deluxe and modern feel.
The Eastbury Hotel prides itself on being “a true home away from home”, providing visitors with a space to slow down, relax and derive comfort in simple things. Offering guests two Resident Lounges to relax in with a selection of board games for all tastes, guests will be able to engross themselves in un-winding yet stimulating simple activities.
Experience the array of activities in the scenic garden by enjoying a game of croquet, badminton, table tennis and a giant chess board on the outdoor lawn. If you’d rather relish the peaceful environment, you could always explore their library full of books…
Rejuvenate even more so in the ‘Eastbury Spa & Wellness space’ which is based at the bottom of the walled garden. Away from the business of commonplace disruptions, the luxury boutique Eastbury Spa is situated in the perfect spot for relaxing and spending quality time with family and friends.
The hotel has received multiple awards, including the ‘Taste of the West’ Gold Award 2017-2019 for Seasons Restaurant and the Conde Nast Johansen in 2020 Award for ‘Best Small & Exclusive property’ in 2019.
Design Insider sits down with Hotel Manager, Gemma Wells to find out more about this charming Boutique Hotel.
Please tell us about yourself and your role at the Eastbury hotel?
My name is Gemma and I have worked at The Eastbury for 9 years now. I started as a Receptionist and worked my way up to become a head of department and now Manager of the Hotel. The Eastbury has always been a special place for me as soon as I walked through the door for my interview I knew this is the place for me. I have always been a people person coming from a retail background and studying Travel and Tourism at College. I knew I wanted to stay in that Industry and working in a Hotel is a great way to interact with customers and make their stay a memorable one. Knowing that guests are coming to The Eastbury time after time is an amazing feeling. The team that we have are a great asset to The Eastbury!
Has Eastbury hotel had any recent refurbishments or renovations? If so, what and who by?
In 2018 our Hotel was brought by Peter and Lana de Savary. Since owning the Hotel they have renovated all areas of the Hotel including all 21 bedrooms, even adding an additional 5 rooms totalling a 26 bedroom Hotel. Our award winning 2AA Rosette Seasons Restaurant has also been refurbished along with our beautiful walled gardens. In the last 3 years we have gone from a three star Hotel to a 4 star and now 5 star accommodation. We have built a unique Woodland Spa and gained an additional property called The Eastbury Cottage just a stone’s throw away from the Hotel for a self catering staycation for up to 6 guests.
Do you use local produce and if so, why?
For as long as I can remember (been working at Eastbury for 9 years) our team of talented Chefs have always used local produce. We feel it is very important to show our guests what our local suppliers have to offer, so we always create our menus around the local produce. Supporting our local businesses now more than ever is so important.
What is your favourite part of the hotel and why?
My favourite part has always been the tranquil garden. Sitting in the walled garden is like a whole new world away from reality and is the best form of relaxation. When you step into The Eastbury you don’t realise you are in a town. The peace and quiet that comes with our garden is so special!
Do you think the location of the hotel has contributed to the success of it?
Absolutely, being just a short walk from the town centre but also being surrounded by the glorious Dorset Countryside, it definitely has its perks. Being so close to the various schools in Sherborne, where parents can stay and have peace of mind that they can reach the school within walking distance is so favourable! Sherborne has so much to offer and being able to help attract guests to come and see this wonderful part of the Country is a great feeling! Knowing that it came second in a poll for one of the best places to live in Dorset is so amazing!
Thank you so much for answering our questions, Gemma!
If you’ve enjoyed this article, take a look at our previous Boutique Hotel articles. Or take a look at our previous trend report on the future of Boutique Hotels.