Homewood, the hotel owned by Bath-based Kaleidoscope Collection, has been accepted into the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection for 2021.
Set in 20 acres in Freshford, Homewood has 21 bedrooms along with a 10-bedroom lodge which opened this year.
It also boasts an intimate garden spa with outdoor pool while its Olio restaurant opened this summer with an outdoor kitchen and al fresco terrace this summer.
The hotel has also had huge success with the launch of a handful of outdoor dining domes as it continues to adapt to Covid rules and regulations.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World is an exclusive collection of more than 520 independently owned, boutique hotels cross 90 countries united in their independently minded approach.
It says its purpose is to “match the world’s independent travellers with the most individual, intimate and intense hotel experiences”.
Homewood, pictured, joins just one other hotel in the West of England – Bath’s five-star, 99-room Gainsborough Hotel – and 27 across England in the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection.
Ian and Christa Taylor of Kaleidoscope Collection, which also owns the 31-bedroom The Bird, Bath on Pulteney Road, have invested heavily in Homewood since buying it from Longleat Group Hotels in 2018.
In January they took on a new executive team for the hotel, including Ed Fitzpatrick as general manager, who joined from the renown Lygon Arms in Broadway in the Cotswolds, along with Jamie Foreman as executive head chef.
It also joined the Mr & Mrs Smith Collection, the travel club for hotel lovers with a million like-minded members in more than 100 countries.
Ian Taylor said: “Since we took ownership of Homewood in 2018, it has been an ambition to be part of the inspiring and prestigious SLH collection.
“SLH represents the pinnacle of boutique hospitality: properties which are more than somewhere to lay your head, that capture your heart and mind during a stay and provide unique, memorable moments.
“To be accepted into SLH is a proud day for the entire team at Homewood who strive daily to deliver a luxury experience with a touch of playfulness and an infectious spirit.”
Small Luxury Hotels of the World VP of development Daniel Luddington added: “We are delighted to add a new contemporary country house to our British collection, and they don’t come much more independently minded than Homewood!
“When many people are looking for space and an escape closer to home, I think a stay somewhere that describes itself as combining ‘imagination and mischief’ should be on everyone’s New Year’s list. It’s cool and cosy, and we love it.”
The Taylors are as known for shuffling their portfolio of hotels as they are for creating highly distinctive boutique venues adorned with artworks.
Last year they sold No.15 Great Pulteney three years after transforming it from a row of unloved Georgian terrace houses into a multi award-winning 40-bedroom hotel.
