116 LUXURY HOMES
FORESTERS HALL - ISLE OF WIGHT .
PERFECTING THE ART OF HOSPITALITY
and sophistication . And while they are passionately committed to maintaining excellence at Foresters Hall , they can often be seen in the hotel bar or library on their laptops working on a new film or tv series .
Foresters Hall is found inside a classy cream Georgian townhouse amongst the pastel coloured houses on Sun Hill in Cowes ’ s old town . The most striking thing as you enter is how much grander it is than first appears from the outside . Across the threshold you ’ ll find high ceilings , original features , delightful artworks and a warm Irish welcome . The aesthetic cleverly walks the line between old and new , with uplifting paint tones and wallpapers , warm lighting , dark-wood floors , rolltop baths and working fireplaces . There is a hidden garden and most surprising of all , a heated outdoor saltwater pool featuring a mural of a diver by the world ’ s most famous 3D artist .
Film & TV producers Sara Curran and Peter Sussman found themselves in the sailing mecca of Cowes , on the Isle of Wight , at the start of Covid , a place they now call home . As the new owners of Foresters Hall , originally built in 1865 as a monthly meeting place for the Cowes branch of the Ancient Order of Foresters , the couple have transformed the iconic property into an award-winning boutique hotel .
Sara ( born and raised in Dublin ) and Peter ( born and raised in Toronto ) met through the film and TV business when Sara was living on the Isle of Wight and working in London , and Peter was based in Los Angeles . For the seven years prior to Covid , Sara and Peter traversed the world , spending up to 200 nights a year in hotels in many different locations for business and pleasure .
While Foresters Hall represents their first time working in hospitality , they gained much perspective on what makes a good hotel through their extensive travels . The couple chose Foresters Hall for its beauty
The bedrooms have thoughtful details such as thick blankets , quilted comforters and Roberts radios . Many have picturesque harbour and sea views , while others overlook Cowes or the hotel ’ s pretty terraced garden . Some have free-standing baths and all have stylish bathrooms with Cowshed products and GHD hairdryers and straighteners .
The impressive art collection built up by Peter and Sara over many years can be seen around the hotel , and showcases an array of recognisable talent from both UK and International artists such as Alex Katz , Yousuf Karsh and Keith Haring . An Annie Leibovitz snapshot of Bruce Springsteen can be found in the ladies bathroom and in the library hangs the latest addition to the collection - a remarkable portrait of musician Neil Young by Christopher Wahl . Like everything at Foresters Hall , there is a great story behind every piece .
THE ART OF LUXURY ISSUE 64 2024