Under new ownership since 1998 when Mount Pleasant Holdings purchased the hotel, and with management input from the Huggler Group of Hotels in Jersey, three leading hotel design practises in the UK were approached to discuss the development of the hotel to four star standard and Goff Associates appointed to carry through the conversion.

Starting with the existing 123 bedrooms, Goffs looked at the size and arrangement of the rooms and proposed a reduction in the number of letting rooms to 96, allowing the incorporation of three suites and nine mini-suites developed from a mixture of store rooms and bedrooms too small to feature in a four star hotel.
     
     




 
Buoyant demand for the bedrooms was becoming apparent as the first floor of refurbished and replanned rooms became available for letting. This demand warranted keeping the hotel open for the whole duration of the contract, and discussion between designer, architect and client resulted in a plan aimed at achieving this.
 
     
   

The existing building had three small conference rooms, the largest seating 25, a single restaurant and a bar. The bar and restaurant were on two levels, having been built above the swimming pool. The client wanted a new leisure club and conference space. To realise the full potential of these and other spaces total replanning and reconstruction of the existing public areas was needed.

Glazed extension
The public area contracts were carefully planned to allow the complete refurbishment whilst allowing the hotel to continue to operate. The existing kitchens were to be retained whilst the previously existing conference rooms would be converted according to Goff planning, into a Brasserie area, extended by the addition of a glazed conservatory style extension into the car park to allow the required number of tables to be achieved.

An additional restaurant for fine dining was also developed. Part of the old restaurant became the major access route through to the new conference centre, and also allowed the creation of a Business centre and a breakout area with its own bar.
     





 
The addition of the small more private speciality dining area gives guests a choice of dining experience within the hotel, and provides Basingstoke with a restaurant that should complement existing dining within the area.
 
     
   

By clever planning the split in level of the old building was minimised as a disruptive partition. The whole redevelopment including the incorporation of the new leisure club and pool achieved the feeling of an homogenous whole. (The old pool was converted into new management offices).

The revamp of the corridors completed this replanning, with the hallmark Jane Goff touches of visual stops on the eye lines through the building so that the guest always has a visual cue to location.

Meeting accommodation
This quality was extended to the creation of a modern library bar, whilst the addition of the two storey conference and study rooms enables the hotel to accommodate much larger meetings of up to 200.
     

 
The additional height and space turned the previously cramped design into a spacious area in keeping with the target four-star status achieved in the bedroom refurbishment.
 
     
   

Better reception
The reception area was replanned and the reception desk moved to the opposite side of the area to allow creation of a porter's 'lodge' and baggage store together with a new back office area. The public toilets were kept in the same location but completely rebuilt.

The whole of the reception was given a new roof by extending the architects roof line to encompass the Reception, creating additional height and light, and allowing the signature wave form to be developed from the pool roof along the building.

Luxury feeling
The design is contemporary, held together by a continuity of design through all the areas. Vaguely reminiscent of the 1950s, the style is still recognisably classical and maximises the use of the previously cramped space to create a feeling of spacious luxury. The clean modern lines are notably evident in the Reception area with the inlaid contemporary rug set into a slate floor. Skirtings of polished stainless steel complement the cherry joinery work and wall panelling.
     

 
The new Library bar has as its focal point an open fire, a welcoming feature not often found in modern hotels. With settees and easy chairs a club feeling is created amongst the bookshelves providing a tired traveller with a space to relax in, or places for informal discussion of the day's events in the Conference rooms.
 
     
   

Above target
Shortly after its recent opening the Apollo is setting a new standard for hotels in the area. Target room rate was initially set some 40% above that previously achieved although actual rate achieved has exceeded this.
     
   

Development Team:

Designers:
Goff Associates

Main Contractors:
Miras Contracts

Main Suppliers:
Carpets:
- Newhey Carpets
- Hugh Mackay Carpets
- Cavalier Carpets
Furniture:
- John Tanous
- Thomas Interiors
- Knightsbridge Furniture
- Kearns Furniture
- Ellis Furniture
- Morgan Furniture
Fabrics:
- Sinclaire Fabrics
- Sahco Hesslein
Lighting:
- Chelsom Lighting
- R&S Robertson Ltd
- Lui's Collection
Artwork:
- Indigo Art
- Renwick & Clarke Trading Ltd
Curtains:
- C D Contracts
Trouserpresses:
- John Corby Ltd
Fitting Out:
- Lambro Contracts Ltd
- GC Interiors Ltd
Signage:
- Rivermead Signs Ltd

Photography:
Robert Hall Photography, London
   
© Copyright Hotel Designs 2007