Oxford Graduate Hotel

SHH has collaborated on the renovation of two hotels acquired by Chicago-based, Adventurous Journeys (AJ) Capital Partners, which are part of their Graduate Hotels brand portfolio. The UK hotels which are located in Oxford and Cambridge, mark the company’s expansion outside the US. The hotels have undergone comprehensive interior and exterior renovations that include all guest rooms, lobbies and common spaces. Both properties were developed with White Rabbit, who developed the brand position in the UK and oversee F&B operations for both properties.

The Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels in Oxford is a Grade II Listed property, situated opposite the Ashmolean Museum. Positioned in the cultural epicenter of the city, The Randolph Hotel is surrounded by Oxford’s iconic colleges, including Trinity and St. John’s. The original building was constructed in 1870, but it has undergone a number of extensions and interventions as a result of the increasing demands of the hotel.

SHH’s brief was to sensitively refurbish this 1866 Venetian Gothic building which houses the Randolf hotel without altering its special architectural or historic interest. The design draws inspiration from Oxford’s history and traditions. Works include alterations and enhancements to some areas of the ground floor, with more sensitive work focused on the hotel’s four food and beverage concepts and events room. Adjacent to the hotel’s lobby is the Morse bar featuring beautiful arched ceiling, cornices, wood panels on the wall and chesterfield chairs. The bar is named after the Inspector Morse character created by Colin Dexter, who was a regular at the hotel and who wrote a number of his novels in this bar. Some of the Inspector Morse series was also filmed in this bar. Further down the Alice Brasserie’s design has been influenced by the Alice in Wonderland theme largely because of its creator Oxford University alumnus Lewis Carroll. Pops of baby blue and pink shades in the seating area contrast the mosaic floors while paintings with scenes from Alice in Wonderland create references to the fantasy novel The hotel’s lounge area known as the Lancaster Room was also refreshed with new wallpaper, furniture and fixtures.

Graduate Cambridge is a 1970s property at the eastern side of the river Cam. The 148-room property is a redevelopment of the former Doubletree by Hilton Cambridge City Centre, following a complete interior renovation that includes all rooms, public areas, fitness club and pool – with design inspired by Cambridge’s history, traditions and prestigious alumni. Garden Bar, a café and bar co-working concept is the focus of the ground floor and Garden House, the all-day restaurant named for the site’s original hotel, is positioned to take in the stunning views of the Coe Fen.

SHH’s work involved transformation of all public areas, new furniture, fixtures and fittings installed throughout, this required a considerable amount of stripping out back to shell state. The aim was to inject colour and character and for the interiors to reflect the University history of Cambridge. SHH also developed a new frontage and canopy. The new entrance replaced a very dated porte corchere and has now a slight American industrial feel to fit the brand and allows for much needed day light into the reception area.

Design: SHH
Photography: Steve Freihon