Latest news with #DorsetHouse
Hospitality Net
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
New hub by Premier Inn for South London
The transformation of underused office buildings into midscale hotels remains a key development model in the UK hotel sector. A recent example is Whitbread PLC's acquisition of Dorset House, marking the planned debut of hub by Premier Inn south of the River Thames. Adaptive reuse meets location-driven expansion Whitbread has secured the freehold of Dorset House, a 90,000 sq ft vacant office block in London's Southbank district, with plans to retrofit the nine-storey structure into a circa 400-bedroom hotel under the hub by Premier Inn brand. Subject to planning approval, the project will bring the brand to the south side of the Thames for the first time, expanding Whitbread's network of compact city-centre hotels. Strategic expansion through office-to-hotel conversions The planned Dorset House conversion reflects Whitbread's wider strategy of repurposing vacant commercial assets in core urban areas. In 2025 alone, the company has also secured sites in Holborn and Vauxhall, both of which involve similar office-to-hotel redevelopment. Such conversions allow operators to meet high demand for affordable accommodation in dense city locations while avoiding the longer lead times and higher costs of new-build projects. The strategy aligns with broader urban regeneration policies and planning priorities in cities like London. Sustainability and growth alignment The project also fits into Whitbread's broader Force for Good sustainability framework. From 2025, all Whitbread-owned hotels will be powered by renewable electricity. The group has also committed to reducing water consumption per sleeper by 20% by 2030. As part of its long-term growth plan, Whitbread aims to expand its room count from 85,500 to 125,000 across the UK and Ireland, with London remaining a central focus. Whitbread's expansion south of the Thames via the Dorset House project underscores how strategic location, sustainability, and adaptive reuse are converging to shape future hotel development in major urban markets. The approach enables rapid delivery, aligns with ESG goals, and meets the evolving expectations of both business and leisure travellers. Hotel website
The Sun
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Premier Inn to open one of their biggest hotels in the UK with 400 rooms
PREMIER INN is due to open one of their biggest hotels in the UK. Plans have been revealed to transform a vacant office block in south east London into a 400-bedroom hub by Premier Inn hotel. 2 'Hub by Premier Inn' hotels are compact city-centre hotel developed by Whitbread - which is the parent company of Premier Inn. They are designed to provide great value stays in central locals, with space efficient design and modern amenities. The planned 400-room hub by Premier Inn hotel is set to be the first one south of the River Thames. Dorset House is nine-storeys and features over 90,000 square feet of space that will be transformed into a hotel. The location is just a stone's throw from London's Southbank and is less than a 10-minute walk from either Waterloo or Blackfriars stations. Derek Griffin, head of acquisitions for Whitbread, said: "Since launching our first hub by Premier Inn in Covent Garden in 2014, we've built a successful network of 18 hotels across London and Edinburgh, offering guests affordable stays in prime city centre locations. "As we've grown, we have been actively seeking the right opportunity south of the river and Dorset House represents a perfect fit." Derek added how Dorset House's location is close to the vibrant Southbank arts and culture district, which is home to the Southbank Centre, National Theatre and BFI Southbank. "With Dorset House now part of our secured development pipeline, we're looking forward to working with Southwark Council to bring our vision to life," he continued. There are also plans to transform a former office building at 35 Red Lion Square in Holborn into a 165-room hub by Premier Inn and Phoenix House in Vauxhall to a 180-bed Premier Inn. Major new outdoor attraction opens and it's great for little ones All Whitbread-owned hotels will be powered by renewable electricity from 2025 and the company aims reduce water consumption per sleeper by 20 per cent by 2030. Across the UK and Ireland, Whitbread has more than 85,500 Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn bedrooms from 850 locations. Whitbread also sees the long-term potential for 125,000 bedrooms in these two core markets, with London being an important focus for expansion. The 400-bed hotel will be one of the largest in the UK, alongside similar size ones such as Canary Wharf Westferry Premier Inn. But the largest in the UK is at London Gatwick, which has 700 rooms in total. A unique UK hotel is also offering half-price stays on Wowcher. The Sun's Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey, visited the largest Premier Inn in the UK. The Premier Inn hotel is literal steps from the Gatwick shuttle - just take the lift down and cross the road and it is right in front of you. The hotel is open 24/7, due to its nature as an airport hotel, but has more than 10 self-check-in booths for a speedy rush to your room, although the four very slow lifts leave something to be desired if you are in a rush. The rooms have great views, so you can watch some of the planes take off. There is also a Nespresso coffee machine and kettle with chocolates, a large shower with toiletries and towels and a mini-fridge with complimentary water. Plus unlike many hotels, they'd placed a USB socket near the bed, so you don't have to worry if you forget your plug. Rooms start from £43, with Premier Plus room upgrades from £10. Two course dinner with drink and buffet breakfast package from £26.49pp.
