Brooklands Hotel
Racing to the top
Promising to take its guest on an engaging local and global food journey, Brooklands Hotel will imminently be unveiling an exciting new restaurant concept
The historic Brooklands estate is home to the one of the world’s most famous racing heritage circuits and was the setting for the first ever purpose built race track, hosting motor racing events throughout the 1920s and 1930s. Though the circuit is no longer in operation, the estate does today house an extensive museum dedicated to its past.
While being respectful of its history, the Brooklands estate has also embraced the present and in March 2010 it celebrated the official opening of the unique, design-led Brooklands Hotel. Complete with stateof- the-art conferencing facilities, 120 elegant rooms and suites, cocktail bar, restaurant and health spa and fitness centre, it is a super style-statement of a property, designed specifically for luxury. “The hotel has a wonderful feeling of space and art deco, encapsulated by the large sculptor of Brookland’s legendary race track that hangs from the lobby ceiling,” begins Jon McClelland, commercial director at Brooklands Hotel. “Each room has its own walk in shower, White Company products, complimentary beverage making facilities, 42 inch flat screen televisions, free wi-fi connectivity, plus bath robes and slippers. Furthermore many of the hotel’s front facing Executive rooms have individual balconies. The spa, available to all guests, features sauna, steam room, meditation room and even an outdoor hot tub. An array of treatments and therapies are also available.
“The hotel benefits from strong corporate demand, due to its fantastic location. With the hotel voted in the ‘100 best things in the world right now’ in GQ Magazine, just ten months after opening, The Brooklands Hotel lends itself perfectly to the leisure market. Also, with its popular leisure packages and its proximity to a number of popular attractions like Mercedes-Benz World and Thorpe Park.”
New restaurant
In November 2011 the hotel will launch its brand new restaurant, 1907 (www.1907restaurant.com), with the aim of becoming a sought-after eating experience for customers based in Surrey and its bordering counties. Much like the rest of the hotel, 1907 takes great inspiration from its iconic location and its menu has been crafted to reflect the international appeal and excitement generated by motor sport through a diverse mix of flavours. Open for lunch and dinner, accommodating up to 120 diners at any one time, 1907’s launch menu delivers a combination of classically inspired, contemporary dishes that offer a culinary contrast with the very best in locally and nationally sourced produce.
Taking a unique approach, the menu itself is divided into a number of sections. ‘To start ‘or’ light bite’ provides a number of sharing options, from rock oysters or mussels from the Shetland Islands to roast shallot and Surrey Hills ale risotto. Those that enjoy fish and seafood will find the ‘Fresh from the sea’ section particular pleasing with pan roast cod, beer battered hake and tiger prawns all making an appearance.
Taking a more hearty, country approach, ‘Fresh from the farm’ centres its main meals around delicacies including confit leg of duck and lamb neck fillet shepherd’s pie. Vegetarians are also well looked after with dishes such as roast butternut squash, wild mushroom and chestnut tart available. To complete the perfect meal, the ‘A bit on the side’ section features a host of complement dishes from French fries with herb salt and rosemary and maple glazed Chantenay carrots to rocket and Parmesan salad.
Highland beef
In addition to all of these options, the Brooklands Grill menu proudly boasts items including 21-day dry-aged beef, supplied by Allen’s of Mayfair, London’s oldest butchery, sourced from the Scottish Highlands. Other, local suppliers include F. Connisbee and Sons in West Horsley, whose meat that is reared on the local Polesden Lacey estate is used to make the hotels’ sausages and Watts Farm where the hotels’ vegetables are expertly grown.
“Brooklands Hotel finds itself in a very different situation to those hotels that are feeling the pressure created by the current financial climate. Here the hotel is benefiting directly from a new product of high specification that is coming into an area that for years was crying out for a modern, contemporary hotel business,” Jon explains. “Many blue-chip businesses that have their head offices in the region are now using and enjoying Brooklands Hotel and its facilities, meaning that in just its second year of business, the hotel is already reaping the benefits that come from
the loyalty of both its corporate and leisure clients.
Excited and determined
“Despite the admittedly gloomy outlook that often surrounds the global economy as a whole today, everyone associated with the Brooklands Hotel remains excited and determined to continue delivering the business’ vision. That is to establish itself as a large independently run hotel that provides a good return to its investors, provides an excellent place to work and, most importantly, continues to be a first-class place to stay for all of its guest.”