The Grove unveils refurbishment by Martin Hulbert Design
The Grove in Hertfordshire, will unveil an extensive renovation when it relaunches in May 2021. The redesign has been masterminded by interiors studio Martin Hulbert Design and incorporates all three dining spaces – The Glasshouse, The Stables and The Lounges – as well as the lobby area and all 189 West Wing guestrooms.
Having worked on the hotel’s original launch in 2003, London-based designers Martin Hulbert and Jay Grierson looked to retain its signature warmth and character by using many of the existing furnishings in the new scheme, albeit with a re-imagined look. This regenerative approach was taken not only to retain some of the property’s original character, but also to champion sustainability – a theme which is evident throughout.
The Glasshouse, The Glasshouse Bar & Lobby
Signature restaurant The Glasshouse has been given a new lease of life with the aim of bringing the outside in. Its striking exterior, which overlooks a manicured courtyard and lush grounds beyond, provides abundant natural light and is complemented by an interior colour palette of ochre yellow and rich earthy tones.
Plush velvets and leathers provide a welcoming setting in which guests can enjoy a theatrical gourmet dining experience, with seating arranged around an open kitchen and live cooking stations. Bespoke, kinetic sculptures are suspended from the ceiling, while light and airy voile drapes provide a sense of intimacy.
The theme continues at the neighbouring Glasshouse Bar, complete with a brand-new mirrored bar area. The ambient space has been seamlessly incorporated into the lobby through the use of glass walls, which brings warmth to the hotel’s reception area and provides an immediate welcome for guests as they check in.
The Lounges and The Stables
Also part of the design overhaul are The Grove’s lounges, a series of characterful drawing rooms at the heart of 18th century mansion. Here, Hulbert’s team was tasked with creating three unique but cohesive spaces in which guests can relax with a cocktail or enjoy views of the gardens over a traditional afternoon tea.
The first of the three has been brought up to date with jewel-like teal blue hues, which contrast with the light, minimalist interiors of the lobby. Rich, textured fabrics including tweed and velvet have been used for upholstery, drapery and soft furnishings, while handmade Irish linen and eclectic artworks adorn the walls.
The second lounge, known as the Newspaper Room, features a neutral yet opulent colour palette in which gold combines with gentle creams, browns and blues to create a soothing environment. A new mirrored and marble cocktail bar has also been installed within an original feature alcove, and in a nod to traditional Georgian interior styles, the walls have been decorated in a hand-finished painterly striped fabric.
The Library completes the trio of rooms and invites the verdant garden that surrounds The Grove inside, bringing together tonal greens and earthy hues in a biophilic scheme. A hand-painted, bespoke fabric covers the walls of the curved, oval space and is complemented with dark panelling and contemporary artwork.
Elsewhere, The Stables – currently the setting for Alpine-style pop-up restaurant, Jimmy’s Lodge at The Grove – has been refreshed with tan leather seating and equine artwork as a nod to the late George Stubbs.
West Wing Guestrooms
Perhaps one of the largest undertakings since the hotel’s opening, all 189 of its West Wing guestrooms have been completely remastered. Hulbert has employed a bright and airy scheme of neutral tones in tandem with seasonal green and rich sepia, inspired by the endless English countryside outdoors. Bespoke, handwoven wall hangings sourced from Italy frame king size beds, while velvet soft furnishings offer luxurious comfort.
Martin Hulbert Design has completed a variety of hotel projects around the world, including The Grove’s sister property in London, The Athenaeum, as well as Chewton Glen, Barnsley House and The Dorchester Spa.
