As you drive up the tree lined avenue towards this country mansion it may appear as though time has stood still for decades. However this July, a  £10 million development will open at Hand Picked Hotels’ luxury four-star country house property, Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa. The development will extend and transform the hotel’s existing conference and banqueting facilities, and include the addition new Executive bedrooms, as well as an exclusive Health Club & Spa. 

The stunning new conference suites, meeting rooms, roof terraces and private bar area will be ideal for business meetings, large conferences, special events and private dining. There will be 6 meeting rooms in total, hosting up to 220 people in one room theatre style and 180 for a seated dinner party. All the rooms will be fully equipped with the latest technology, including complimentary wi-fi, air conditioning and 50 inch plasma screens with DVD and AV connectors. All of these facilities, set in a stunning country side location, just fifteen minutes from J16/17 on the M6.

The new exclusive Health Club & Spa, will include a Rasul (a Turkish mud treatment chamber), 7 treatment rooms (treatments and therapies from ESPA and CLARINS), relaxation areas, an 18 metre indoor swimming pool and a six-person hydrotherapy pool. There will also be a stylish Brasserie and Bar where you can enjoy the relaxed ambience and light meals, salads, smoothies and juices, plus a selection of wines and beers. 

To complement the new conference and meeting rooms, additional spacious and stylish contemporary bedrooms have been created, taking the total number of bedrooms at Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa to 70. Each of the new Executive bedrooms will boast modern amenities, including MP3 connectivity, LCD TV panels in the bedroom and at the foot of the bath and surround showers, for the ultimate in relaxation and home-from-home entertainment. Selected rooms will also benefit from outdoor patios, all with views overlooking the gardens and meadows beyond.

In addition, the main mansion is steeped in the house’s history as a private home and the elegant mahogany panelled 2 AA rosette restaurant is renowned for its fine dining with seasonal and local produce, as well as an extensive wine selection.

 
Team activities can be arranged in the hotel’s 38 acres of grounds, these include archery, quad biking, shooting and fishing. Championship golf courses are close by, where arrangements can be made.  The hotel has its own helipad.

    
Hand Picked Hotels is a unique collection of 14 luxury country house hotels across the UK and Jersey, marrying stunning architecture and locations with modern conveniences, fine wine and dining.

Notes to editors:

Created by former City lawyer Julia Hands, the exclusive Hand Picked Hotels collection are 14 architecturally splendid former country houses, renowned for stunning interiors, exquisite food, fine wines and excellent service in a relaxing atmosphere.  The hotels are conveniently located across the UK, from Surrey, Kent and East Sussex, to the New Forest, Jersey and Edinburgh.
 
Hand Picked Hotels won AA Hotel Group of the Year 2004-2005 and was presented with the Business Excellence Award last December by the Tourism Minister for its commitment to customer service and developing the brand. Julia was presented with the top award in the Tourism and Leisure business sector of the First Women Awards, organised by the CBI, in conjunction with Real Business magazine, in July last year.  Julia also sits on the judging panel for the Wines and Spirits Education Trust.