The Norwich Wedding Show

The historic Maids Head Hotel has been a familiar feature in Norwich’s fashionable

Tombland district for the past 600 years, but a recent refurbishment costing £2.5m has

transformed it into a fresh, modern city-centre venue that offers stylish accommodation with fine dining and drinking.

“The Maids Head had a tired image,” said Linzi Rawson, sales manager for the hotel. “But we’ve been refurbishing every part of it for the last 18 months, and now we have a new team with a strong vision of where we want to go with the hotel and how we can drive it forward.” Recognised as one of the oldest hotels in the UK, The Maids Head has been continuously in operation since the 11th century. During its illustrious years of trading, key figures in history such as Queen Elizabeth I, Catherine of Aragon, the Black Prince, Lord Horatio Nelson and, more recently, cast and crew members from Hollywood blockbuster Stardust, have stayed in its rooms.

But the considerable investment in refurbishment by parent company Folio Hotels,

has brought the historic building firmly into the 21st century. Its 84 bedrooms, six function suites and bar and restaurant area have all undergone extensive transformation, which Folio Hotels anticipate will see them awarded four-star status in the autumn.

When development of the hotel began, it was important that neither the building’s character nor historic charm was lost. In the newest parts of the hotel, new carpets,

furniture and fixtures have been installed, turning the standard and executive bedrooms

into comfortable and stylish places to stay. Meanwhile, the feature rooms and suites in

the oldest parts of the hotel have had their unique period details carefully restored.

Original fireplaces and exposed beams give a romantic period feel to the bedrooms – there’s even an opportunity to sleep against the same headboard used by Queen Elizabeth I during her famous visit to the hotel.

“Guests will notice that the décor and service have changed considerably,” said Ms Rawson. “And that there are consistent levels of service across the hotel – including 24-hour room service – that we believe will exceed expectation. Our restaurant menu has also been developed considerably and the whole ethos of the hotel is to offer a fresh, flexible approach to hospitality that will leave guests feeling they’ve enjoyed money well-spent.” As well as improving the hotel’s bedrooms.

The Courtyard Restaurant has also been transformed. The Mediterranean-style eatery is

located in a striking glass-roofed room and is open to the general public and hotel guests

seven days a week, offering a la carte dining, afternoon tea and a Sunday carvery. Food is

served daily from 10.30am-9.30pm and includes an appetising selection of themed

platters, smaller dishes, stove and grill options and a deli sandwich menu.

The menu’s emphasis is on local produce, including Norfolk favourites such as turkey and smoked bacon, asparagus and Cromer crab. The hotel also boasts the oldest bar in

Norwich. The Maydes Head Bar is a traditional Ms Rawson said: “We want to make people aware of how we’ve changed and how accessible we are – even if people aren’t

staying at the hotel, we want them to feel welcome to stop in for dinner or drinks.”

The Maids Head is currently developing a number of special offers including a Pamper

Package, where guests can enjoy a range of well-being treatments in the hotel’s beauty

room; Explore Norwich packages, which will include entry to local attractions; and CSI-

themed weekends and Murder Mystery events.

To mark The Maids Head Hotel’s official re-launch on July 2, the Lord Mayor and Sherriff of Norwich will be unveiling a commemorative plaque in the hotel’s Oak Room. Jacobean-style watering hole, which alongside the hotel’s more contemporary Yard Bar, offers a wide choice of wines, beers and other drinks, as well as hot and cold dishes.

EDP Article 20/06/08