A New Boutique Hotel for Harrogate. Riva PR - May 7th 2007. The upmarket spa town of Harrogate will get its first independently owned and run boutique hotel when the Balmoral Hotel Harrogate re-opens later this month [April]. The 23-room character hotel is housed in a restored Edwardian-Victorian building in a quiet, leafy street just a 10-minute walk from the towns conference centre, shops and cafes. A luxurious, contemporary bolthole in the Yorkshire Dales the Balmoral will offer classic hotel service to discerning leisure and conference guests. With Harrogates restored spa, beautiful Stray and chi-chi boutiques and restaurants coupled with some of the UKs prettiest countryside and villages on the doorstep the Balmoral will offer much more than a bed for the night. Spa and incentive breaks, shopping weekends and opportunities for gourmet dining are all on the agenda for the well-heeled and discerning leisure and business traveller. Reflecting the buildings Victorian heritage, and Harrogates history as one of Englands premier spa towns, the hotel fuses classic features with hi-spec modern design. Dark-wood floors, plush velvet carpet, real fires and a mix of contemporary, classic and traditional furniture lends the public areas a warm and Contemporary regal feel. The modern opulent guest rooms showcase individual Victorian architectural features such as feature fireplaces, cornicing and skirting, and polished floorboards; statement rugs, lighting and wallpaper; four-poster beds; Louis V style armchairs; leather Chesterfield sofas and gilt-edged mirrors all lend classic accents to a neutral palette. Seductive bathrooms will feature black marble walls and slate floors. Room types range from bijou studios, to four-poster doubles and large, two-room suites that pander to the conference guest and weekend romantic. Each room will have latest screen LCD technology with HDML (high definition media interface) facilities so that executives can check their presentations. The entire hotel will be wi-fi. Guests will also be able to take advantage of what promises to be one of the towns new dining hotspots, the Harrogate Grille. This is the second project for the team behind the popular, hip Room restaurant, in nearby Leeds and the Grille in Hoxton, London. The Grilles accessible menu will offer everything from breakfast martinis (£6) through brunch and all-day snacks to classic evening grill dishes such as rump steak and chips (£15), served in a modern banquette style setting with a French bistro ambience. Private dining is available for 35 people and a two-course kids menu costs £5. The restaurant will feature a members bar and will offer a relaxed, lounge-style extended bistro experience, perfect for relaxing with the papers and an herbal tea or cappuccino. Double rooms will start from £145.00 with suite from £185.00. PRESS ENQUIRIES: Louise Swanne / Helen Wright Riva PR Tel: 0208 704 4500 Email: balmoral@rivapr.co.uk. Balmoral Hotel Reservations: 16-18 Franklin Mount Harrogate, HG1 5EJ Tel: 01423 508 208 Email: info@balmoralhotel.com

Sleeper Magazine - Issue 13 - July/August 2007. Branding and design specialists Studio 48 have given The Balmoral Hotel in Harrogate a head-to-toe makeover for owners Inn Focus Group, including the second outing of the Grille FB concept first used at Sinclair Beechams Hoxton Hotel. The Balmoral has existed for several years as one of the many traditional hotels guesthouses just outside the centre of Harrogate. Larger than the majority of its neighbours with 23 rooms, and benefiting from an elevated position it already had much to distinguish it from the local accommodation crowd. However, thanks to a massive programme of refurbishment by new owners Philip Steven Barker of Harrogate-based Inn Focus Group, it is well truly set apart from the rest. The newly beautified boutique hotel has received a whole new identity thanks to branding and interior design specialists Studio 48. The programme of refurbishment has so far reached the main public areas and around half the bedrooms, with the final renovation to be completed by the end of the summer. It is hoped that the all new Balmoral experience will appeal to a wider customer base, and help the hotel realise its potential, as Gabriel Murray, head of studio 48, explains the aim has been to re-establish the brand the whole experience in order to appease travel local destination travellers. The concept is aimed at the more mature, aspirational guest. The aspects of the project have been the refurbishment of all the 23 rooms, which will be completed as part of the eight week programme, the creation of the new lobby with cosmopolitan bar and all-day food and beverage concept. We are also exploring a new basement space for function rooms with the possibility of creating a members bar The first change that is noticeable on the approach to the hotel is the impressively rejuvenated exterior. The Balmoral now stands out not only due to its size and position, but its freshly scrubbed stone facade and landscaped gardens, complete with funky moulded alfresco furniture and new signage. Guests enter the building through a futuristic glass portal and appear on the other side in the stylish world that is The Balmoral's new reception and lounge. The entire design architecture of the hotel has been carefully balanced in order to create the perfect ambience - one of welcoming yet luxurious modern opulence. A strong and sleek look denotes the lobby, which has a certain air of leisurely decadence about it. The chic colour scheme of red black is played out with jet black Louis style chairs and low crimson loungers, mixing classically contemporary and traditional furniture. This theme is continued through the rest of the hotel, with each bedroom given its own individual twist in order to make the most of the characture of the building and the different shapes and nuances of the rooms. The sophisticated boudoirs come swathed in various luxurious, richly coloured materials, with plenty of feature chandeliers and ornate mirrors cranking up the sex appeal. Central to The Balmoral operation is the new Grille Restaurant. This is the second in what is an expanding line of newly created Grille Brasseries. The first Hoxton Grille opened in September 2006, as part of Pret A Manger founder Sinclair Beechams Hoxton Hotel. The concept, created by John Pallagi Simon Wright - the team behind Room Restaurant brand has been specifically tailored to work as part of independent hotel projects. We have created a win-win situation for ourselves and the hotel owners comments Wright. The Grille has its own identity, but works in tandem with the hotels positioning and direction, providing hotel guests with a great restaurant and bar without them having to worry about the running of food and beverage operations. Studio 48 are also credited with the design and branding for the recently launched The Grille chain, which hopes to bring a little of the style and originality on New York and Paris bistros to the UK. Developing the scheme already implemented in the Hoxton site, the Harrogate Grille is a comfortable and modern space that works well with its historic Victorian surrounding. A palette of pale mustard and blue has been used here which, along with tub chairs and leather banquettes, give the restaurant a timeless, classic feel. Exposed brick work, original Victorian bay windows and stunning black and white photography by David Sutcliffe complete the picture. We have created a friendly and open space says Murray of Studio 48 The whole environment is founded on easy going professionalism and comfort It is a classic concept with progressive flare, and offers a stimulating and memorable experience that will appeal to the Grilles target market. Indeed this is true of the Balmoral concept as a whole which is modern and driven in its aspirations but with quality and relaxed service at its core.

RESTAURANT BAR ~ THE HARROGATE GRILLE. The Balmoral Hotel is delighted to offer all visiting guests The Harrogate Grille Restaurant Bar. Inspired by the vibrant, unpretentious bistros of New York and Paris, Grille is a neighbourhood restaurant that's laidback enough for a relaxed brunch or a quick bite after work but with more than enough style to give a dinner date a bit of class. Above all, Grille cherishes its customers. Their knowledgeable staff are friendly without ever being obtrusive, because they know that quality of service makes a meal. Open from breakfast through to late night supper, their signature mustard leather banquettes, discreet art and a touch of exposed brick they are great looking spaces with a goal to avoid fuss. So, if it is a breakfast meeting, business lunch of private dinner, a wedding celebration, social gathering or just for drinks then Grille awaits. Even if you are not a hotel guest The Harrogate Grille is open to serve you throughout the day

RESTAURANT BAR ~ COCKTAIL BAR. The Harrogate Grille cocktail bar is great to visit when you fancy a pre-dinner drink or simply a night out with friends or colleagues. Sit at the bar on the tall chairs or lounge and unwind on a comfortable banquette. The bar team at The Harrogate Grille are more than competent at mixing up any one of our Grille Top 10 cocktails which include such delights as, Rhubarbellini, a refreshing blend of rhubarb puree infused with vanilla sugar and finished with Prosecco. Or the Grille Bramble made up of seasonal berries, Beefeater gin, Creme de Mure, lime juice and gomme. Should you wish for a classic cocktail not shown on their menu, then please just ask and the bar team will be happy to oblige. In addition, they serve a fantastic range of Brunch Cocktails including a must try Grille Mary made up of Vodka with fresh cherry tomatoes, lemon and a formula of savoury flavours, delicious! The extensive wine list which Grille offers customers is extensive with a wide range of wines on offer to suit every taste and pocket. With over 20 wines served by the glass and the rather neat idea of reviving the carafe which serves you a 50cl measure of wine, we are sure you will be pleasantly delighted with the choice.

 Guest rooms have air conditioning
 Baby chairs and cots are provided
 Luggage storage
 Breakfast may be served in the room
 Central situation
 Clothes dry cleaning
 Conference and meeting room
 Credit cards accepted
 Dinner may be served in the room
 Disabled guests are welcome
 Facsimile services
 Fitness hall
 Hairdryer
 Heating
 Access to internet
 Ironing facilities
 Jacuzzi tub
 Laundry services/washing machine
 Licensed bar
 Around-the-clock recetpion
 Pets are accepted
 Parking lot
 Private park, garden, courtyard
 Quiet surroundings
 Clock/radio
 Restaurant
 Around-the-clock room service
 Sauna
 Solarium
 Swimming pool
 Tea and coffee making facilities
 Phones in rooms
 TV sets in rooms