Back in 2012, we heard rumors that the Laura Ashley fashion brand had purchased a hotel in Hertfordshire for $9 million. Just this week, The Telegraph reports that The Manor Hotel Elstree has opened its doors, the first luxury boutique hotel for the company famous for floral prints and home interiors. Nestled on a 10-acre estate in Elstree with carefully manicured English gardens, the hotel has 49 guest rooms that serve as a showcase for Laura Ashley's quintessentially British home collection.
Housed in a Tudor Revival property that was built on the site of a 16th century house, the Manor has two restaurants: the Terrace Bar for light eats, and the Cavendish restaurant for gourmet meals. Says The Telegraph: “Cosy but uncluttered, imagine a 1930s country lodge lorded over by a reserved and elegant woman and you're there in spirit.” The Laura Ashley brand is not the first fashion label to venture into the hotel business; earlier this week we reported on Donna Karan's new venture in the Hamptons. For more information, visit www.lauraashleyhotels.com.