The Background

Originally built in the 1700s, Heythrop Park Resort is a now high-class hotel, restaurant and leisure destination set in 440 acres of beautiful Oxfordshire parkland. The Grade II* listed Italian Baroque manor has been the subject of many changes over the last four centuries, and was most recently added to the Warner Hotels portfolio in 2020.

 

Following its acquisition, the historic venue subsequently benefited from a substantial refurbishment aimed at retaining the cultural splendour of the property, while making it fit for purpose as a modern hospitality destination.

Heythrop Park, The Atrium Room

The Task

The ambitious and extensive project took over 4 years, with interior design work headed by Brighton based consultancy DesignLSM. The overall vision was to transform Heythrop Park into the jewel in Warner Hotel’s already impressive crown with contemporary comfort complimented by a sense of timeless elegance. Having seen use as a hotel previously, a key focus was to rejuvenate the outdated appearance of the sites buildings to create 331 bedrooms, bars, restaurants, leisure facilities and public areas that all reflected the style, class and identity of the Warner Hotels brand.

Following the direction set out by DesignLSM, our part in the project was to create, source and install furniture, fixtures and fittings that would bring the clear vision for the venue to life. Our work was carried out across the resort’s public and private spaces and was aimed at maximising both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality for the thousands of guests that would visit each year.

Heythrop Park, The Market Kitchen

The Work

The team here at Contract Furniture Group designed, built and installed a diverse range of loose and fitted furniture, soft furnishings, and case goods. This comprised of sophisticated statement sofa and lounge pieces, including our Aria 2-seater Sofas, Sorbet Carver Chairs & Megan Lounge Chairs for The Late Lounge, Atrium & Theatre rooms.

 

For dining areas, we focused on providing practical, elegant and individually sourced solutions. This included marble and hardwood tabletops and bases, bespoke fixed seating arrangements, such as deep-buttoned banquette seating, and a range of semi & fully upholstered dining chairs. To bring it all together, we supplied made-to-measure soft furnishings such as curtains, cushions and bedspreads.

 

Given the scale and complexity of this extensive refurbishment, we were required to take a highly strategic approach to project preparation and management. The deliverables were rolled out in stages, focusing first on public areas before phasing into the many guest rooms. Throughout the process we carefully considered and ensured we delivered on all aspects of appropriate product quality, usability, and aesthetics for a unified and cohesive experience.

Heythrop Park, The Late Lounge

The Result

Heythrop Park Resort has undergone a remarkable transformation, resulting in a beautifully restored and rejuvenated venue that truly embodies the high-class identity of Warner Hotels, that also pays homage to the site’s tradition and heritage.

 

Through our collaborative efforts, we achieved a significant increase in the capacity of the Hotel’s restaurants, bars & relaxation areas. Through the meticulous planning stages, we were also able to help optimise layouts for better hospitality workflow, providing teams with a more efficient and streamlined area in which to deliver exceptional service.

 

In consequence, the project was a resounding success on all fronts. We were able to complete our work on-time, on-budget and on-brand and have strongly positioned Heythrop Park Resort as a premier luxury destination.