Synergy News & Blog: Bath Office
Now accepting reservations –– creating heavenly places to stay
Since opening, The Newt in Somerset has won many accolades from being included in the Conde Nast’s 2020 list of the best new hotels in the world through to the Newt’s immersive Story of Gardening experience receiving a Highly Commended Award at the Civic Trust Awards 2021.
With 17 May 2021 marking the reopening of the hotel industry we reflect on this outstanding project and how the transformation of this country estate has made this one of the top visitor destinations in the world.
Right from the outset, it was the aspiration of the Estate to create a ‘farm to table’ immersive Somerset visitor experience.
The first phase was the construction of a variety of new buildings and infrastructure to provide staff, workshop and visitor amenities for the Country Estate. These were built to visually replicate farm buildings with facilities including staff accommodation as well as a bakery, farm shop, threshing barn, the cyder press and cyder house. Our cost consultancy team worked closely with the design team to ensure these key infrastructure buildings fully met the Estate’s aspirations.
Synergy’s team were then appointed for the next phase of the project which included the creation of a new entrance lodge and the elevated glass walled garden café. Shortlisted for the Restaurant and Bar Design Awards 2020 the café delivers stunning views across the gardens.
Our team were next appointed for the transformation of the Grade II*-listed building at the core of the Estate into a luxury hotel. Our Project Management team were also brought on board to successfully manage the delivery of this stage of the project.
To ensure an unrivalled visitor experience it was critical to deliver to exact and bespoke requirements. Here our team’s many years of experience in the heritage sector added significant value as we collaborated with the design team to incorporate bespoke and high specification materials within a historic setting. Examples included the utilisation of locally quarried stone and upgrading the mechanical services in the Listed building to provide precise flow rates for the sumptuous baths.
Through the coordination of many complex packages of work the refurbished and extended hotel successfully blends modern with old. The hotel provides 23 bedrooms and bathrooms, some in the main house, others in former stable blocks. The hotel’s other luxurious facilities include a show kitchen, spa with sauna, salt, steam room and beautiful pool leading to a heated indoor-outdoor hydrotherapy pool, as well as a glass-walled gym tucked away in the garden.
Last, but by no means least was the creation of The Story of Gardening museum complete with a unique treetop walkway which delivers a captivating visitor experience. Inspired by horticultural history from around the world, the garden rooms create a transportive visitor experience in telling the ‘Story of Gardening’.
An exceptional visitor destination, the Newt in Somerset delivers on all it promises. Hotel visitors will in no doubt be lining up to return in May.
