78
the World Of Hospitality
The Goring
The Goring - Reopens Its Doors To
Reveal The Final Flourish Of
A Major Refurbishment
In March 2015, The Goring re-opened its impeccable
doors to reveal the final flourish of a major
refurbishment: a ravishingly transformed Front Hall,
unveiled just in time for the hotel’s 105th birthday.
Over the past few years, with a little help from
his designer friends including David Linley, Nina
Campbell, Tim Gosling and Russell Sage, Jeremy
Goring has overseen the top-to-toe renovation of the
whole hotel, from the ground floor to each and every
guestroom and suite. Even the garden has been relandscaped. The new-look Front Hall and the ground
floor is now resplendent with exquisite hand-painted
wallpaper by Fromental, whose wallcoverings already
grace many of The Goring’s suites and guestrooms.
A collaboration between designer Russell Sage, the
hotel and Fromental, the result is a charming mix of
the relaxed sophistication of a grand English country
house – and a dash of idiosyncratic humour that one
would expect from The Goring. The whimsical scene,
from floor to ceiling, shows an English parkland, but
look closer and all is not what it seems. Exotic animals,
a walrus, raj elephants, a hippo on a rock, snakes and
a bear, cavort through the landscape. As designer
Russell Sage says, “Imagine if all the animals in London
Zoo had escaped into Hyde Park… take a closer look
and the scene gets curiouser and curiouser…”
The artists have also woven The Goring family story
into the scenes. A monkey on horseback in full racing
silks references George Goring’s love of riding and
sports; a sleek seal is a nod to Jeremy Goring’s love
of surfing; two imposing walruses, in full jewelled
splendour, represent OR Goring and OG Goring, the
founder of the hotel and his son. The judge’s wig on
the head of the erudite-looking gorilla hails Managing
Director David Morgan-Hewitt’s law degree. And, in
this most English of hotels, the Lion and the Unicorn,
in full heraldic splendour battle it out forever, a
discreet reference to Royal Warrant displayed outside
the hotel. The wallpaper, which took four artists almost
eight weeks to paint, is hand-gilded silver leaf on
paper, with the design hand painted in acrylics.
of Georgian Chippendale furniture. A specialist
commission of golden Gainsborough Silk adorns the
windows, echoing the sumptuousness of the bedrooms
and suites upstairs. The entrance to the restaurant has
an elegant new look, seamlessly complementing the
calm interiors of the Dining Room. The Gentleman’s
cloakroom has been refitted in new black and white
marble, adding even more comfort and luxury.
Jeremy Goring says: “Sorry we had to close, but it was
worth it! The whole hotel is gleaming for our 105th
birthday and the new Front Hall is gorgeous. It’s
what we are all about. It’s luxurious and glamorous, it
recognises our past, but it’s also sophisticated and very
contemporary. And most important of all, I think it
will make our guests smile.”
Rates for a Delightful Room start from £430 per night
excluding breakfast
www.thegoring.com
Resplendent new Reception and Concierge desks
designed especially for the space evoke the grandeur
Website: www.thegoring.com