The Background

Tŷ Newport opened in June 2024 as part of the Celtic Manor Resort group, Wales's most famous hotel brand. Located close to the world-renowned golf resort, this new hotel offers a budget-friendly alternative while maintaining the group's complete commitment to quality. The Tŷ Newport Hotel features the Casa Bar & Kitchen, two lounge areas, 146 rooms, including family rooms and an adults-only floor. It's notably Wales's first hotel to run entirely on electricity in hopes of setting new sustainability standards.

The Task

Casa Bar & Kitchen was designed not only for hotel guests but to attract locals with its Mediterranean-inspired menu and inviting bar area. Having worked previously with Celtic Manor on their original property and sister Tŷ sites, we were thrilled to partner with it again—this time to design bespoke furniture for the hotel's 96-seat dining area, lounges, and guest rooms. Collaborating with Calico Interiors, a commercial interior design firm based in Gloucestershire, our mission was to create a dining experience that perfectly complemented the Mediterranean cuisine on offer.

The Work

The choice of furniture was crucial in complementing the restaurant's Mediterranean theme and creating a relaxed ambience. The dining area features Nero Marmi Quartz Table Tops on Profile Dining Bases, adding an authentic, luxurious touch. For the restaurant seating, fixed banquette seating and loose furniture were chosen in an upholstered in mustard and blue faux distressed suede from Sunbury. Sorbet Open Back Carver Chairs, with their smooth curves and exceptional comfort, were selected to encourage diners to relax and stay longer. For added variety, the Malcam Carver Chairs are upholstered in onyx vegan faux leather, with a woven, textured finish from Designers Guild. These seating options pair beautifully with the space's interior elements like blue lighting, Mediterranean plants, exposed brick, and copper piping.

Maximising seating capacity was a key objective, so our team designed banquette seating along the walls to free up central space for extra tables plus giving diners and staff the ability to move around easily. To optimise space even further, we custom-designed seating around the restaurant's structural pillars, ensuring no space was wasted. All fixed seating was upholstered in vibrant mustard distressed vintage suede, with fluted backs for an elevated look.

The bar area continued the Mediterranean theme with a more subtle approach, featuring wooden frames with grey undertones. The bar featured a mix of seating, including poseur-height stools, coffee tables with sofas, and dining height tables & chairs. Chicago and Denmark sofas were upholstered in luxurious velvets, while Oak Laminate Table Tops provided durability and style. The Bunny High Chair and dining-height Flight Chairs were upholstered with a striking multicoloured woven fabric featuring irregular zigzag stripes, adding a playful touch to the traditional designs.

The Result

Tŷ Newport opened to great success, with its Casa Kitchen & Bar earning rave reviews for its Mediterranean menu. The combination of vibrant, comfortable furniture and a well-designed space has helped create a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere. Contract Furniture Group delivered a full-service hotel interior fit-out experience, from design concept to installation, ensuring that every detail contributed to the hotel's unique appeal and comfort.