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Upscale hotel and conference venue group Principal Hayley announced the official opening of ‘The White House Hotel’ a luxury 26-bedroom town house, part of the Beaumont Estate in Old Windsor. Over the last twelve months the group has invested £8.1 million in creating this boutique town house hotel; developing state-of-the-art meeting rooms and restoring the historic 19th century Chapel to create a unique and stylish banqueting venue.
Originally built in 1790 by prominent architect Henry Emlyn, the original ‘White House’ has been a private home, a Jesuit training college, a boy’s school and training facility for computer company ICL before it was acquired Hayley Conference Venues in 2003 and then by Principal Hotels in 2007 to become part of the Principal Hayley Group. By this stage parts of the original property were derelict and a major renovation project was needed to restore the Grade II* listed building back to its former glory.
Work began on the ‘White House’ late last year and a team of over 70 construction workers, architects and designers worked together to create a, stylish hotel complete with the latest amenities and facilities yet in keeping with the era and elegant style of the building. Ten opulent ‘White House’ suites, named after a previous headmaster of Beaumont School and each costing over £100,000 have been designed and furnished to the highest of standards with plasma TV’s, iPod docking stations, roll-top baths, private dining facilities and the finest furnishings. An additional 16 premium deluxe bedrooms will form part of this elegant ‘Town House’ where breakfast will be served daily in the bright and elegant Dining Room and guests will be able to enjoy an exclusive 24-hour room service menu.
Those looking to meet at The White House can utilise one of the seven art deco meeting rooms tucked away on the ground floor. Ideal for getting the senior team away from the office for some strategic thinking they are equipped to the highest specification with state-of-the-art AV, lighting and technology.
An elegant private dining area is available for those looking to host an exclusive party or celebrate that special occasion with up to 30 guests. However the piece de resistance of the White House banqueting space is undoubtedly the Chapel. Originally built in 1870 the Chapel was deconsecrated and boarded up in the 1960’s to be used as office space. Restoration work began last summer when English Heritage and the team from Crick Smiths Conservation were engaged to renovate the beautiful stained glass window, barrel-vaulted ceiling and hand painted wall murals which were discovered beneath the false walls and ceiling. After months of painstaking work the final result is a unique conference and banqueting space for up to 120 people, perfect for a dazzling wedding reception, glittering gala dinner or distinctive exhibition.
The final aspect of the £8.1 million renovation project was creating a state-of-the-art conference village. The Beaumont Estate has long been a centre of learning and Principal Hayley were keen to ensure that the conference and training facilities offered by the venue were next to none. Meeting rooms have been refurbished and upgraded, 42 deluxe and 16 duplex bedrooms have been added and work is due to be completed on the new bar and grill by the end of June.
The White House and Chapel was officially opened by the Deputy Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Councillor Catherine Bursnall at a ceremony at the Beaumont Estate on 23rd April 2009.
“We are delighted to have officially opened The White House and Chapel” said Ian Peck, General Manager of the Beaumont Estate. “It has been a hugely exciting project and a major investment on the part of the Principal Hayley Group. I believe the elegance and style of The White House and the uniqueness of the Chapel will be of tremendous appeal to guests looking for a luxury town house from which to explore the delights of Windsor or searching for that unique venue in which to celebrate a special occasion.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
