Meet the Hotelier - Andy Nicholson, Storrs Hall Hotel
Meet the Hotelier - Andy Nicholson, General Manager at Storrs Hall Hotel
What are the benefits of your location?
It’s in one of the most spectacular parts of the country – and to be placed right on the shores of England’s largest lake with privacy and seclusion, with miles of uninterrupted views, is more unusual than you’d think. It’s the reason the hotel was built here – to enjoy the lake. Historically Wordsworth came here to enjoy boating regattas. Our guests can get right on the water without leaving the grounds or enjoy long walks with great views. It’s so beautiful and peaceful.
What is the most luxurious accommodation at the hotel?
Our unique boathouse, there’s nothing else like it. It’s enclosed by gardens and sits on the lake, you have a private keycode for access and parking – so the whole plot is yours. Inside has every conceivable luxury, with a big open plan suite facing out over the lake, and a steam room in the bathroom. It has a huge terrace with plenty of seating by a fire pit, a private hot tub, and even a lily pond. The views are west and north up the lake for miles. The luxury is as much the experience as the facilities. We do a room service hamper breakfast – and the facilities of the hotel are on hand too. You don’t have to lift a finger.
What can you tell us about the history of the hotel?
The original building was built as an alternative to a home in the Swiss lakes by a Yorkshireman who was keen on boating. He picked the most advantageous position on the lake. He continued to hold parties and boating regattas here. Local luminaries such as Wordsworth and his circle of Romantic Poet friends were hosted here. John Constable’s uncle owned the hall for a while, and Constable and Turner stayed here for sketching tours of the lakes. Beatrix Potter was a frequent party guest too.
How would you describe the hotel’s dining experience?
Relaxed classic British. Head Chef Andy Beaton focuses on the food that people love to eat, enduringly popular dishes prepared exceptionally well, and all in-house. We have two dining spaces and menus, the main restaurant where we serve a full English breakfast and our A la Carte menus; and the Tower Bar which is more casual serving pub food classics. Whichever one you opt for the approach is the same, great ingredients and loving preparation that focuses on flavour – our first priority is that you relax and really enjoy your meal. Whether it’s herb-crusted Halibut or a burger.
Of all the facilities the hotel offers, which is your favourite?
It is hard to pick, from the terraces with lake views south, which are idyllic in summer; to our characterful in-house bar that features a Victorian bar recycled from Blackpool Tower – equally welcoming on a winter’s day. The cherry on the cake and my personal favourite is our vintage Thames Slipper Launch, which we use for private skippered lake tours, with a bottle of Champagne. It’s a different way for guests to see the landscape, it really is travelling in style.
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