CWNews

Hotel du Vin Opens Location in Scotland

AN INSPECTOR CALLS
Daily Mail (London)

July 5, 2008 Saturday
 
HOTEL du Vin is a name to look out for over the next couple of years in Scotland. The chain has opened one branch, at One Devonshire Gardens in Glasgow, frequented by celebrities such as supermodel Kate Moss. In October, another will launch in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, built at a cost of £8million around the last remaining wing of what was once the city's poor house. A third is planned for St Andrews, Fife, next spring.


So visiting the Cambridge Hotel du Vin, which opened its doors last year, provided a tantalising glimpse of what's in store as the chain expands north of the Border.

There is something instantly beguiling about the building, tucked into five converted townhouses a few minutes' walk from the colleges, the town centre and punting on the Cam.

Each of the 41 rooms is named after a different vintner, in keeping with the hotel's wine theme, and they are hidden in unusual places - ours was in the basement, at the bottom of a discreet flight of stairs.
 
 

And it was a delight. The first sight to greet us was a big, old-fashioned, stand-alone bathtub, with a flat-screen TV on the wall opposite.

But it was the home cinema, just off the bedroom, that provided most excitement. It was in a small, brick-lined tunnel and came equipped with two comfy chairs and lots of gadgetry. It also had a PlayStation 3 games console (games and DVDs are available free from reception) - possibly more of an excitement for me than my wife.

However, I did struggle to get to grips with some of the technology. The reception staff had to help me start up the PlayStation - and I couldn't change channels on the TV next to the bathtub. An instruction manual would be a useful addition to an otherwise fantastic room.

There was a good-sized sun terrace, overlooked by the hotel garden. Not the most private of spots, perhaps, but a nice feature.

Upstairs in the garden is a 'cigar shack' - a shelter specially kitted out for smokers.

There is also a well-stocked, walk-in humidor in the bar - testament to friendly manager Denis Frucot's passion for cigar smoking.

The wine list in the superb restaurant is so extensive that a sommelier appears after you have chosen your main course to advise on the best wine choice - an excellent touch. The hotel also has a specialist wine-tasting suite, complete with a big metallic bowl for spitting out afterwards.
 
 

Hearteningly, Denis - like me - seemed to feel this was a waste of good wine. It all bodes extremely well for Hotel du Vin's extending empire in Scotland - grown-up luxury with all of the trimmings and none of the fuss.

Hotel du Vin Trumpington Street Cambridge CB2 1QA Tel: 01223 227330 hotelduvin.com Average double room rate £140 ..