Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, a world-leading luxury hotel brand within the Accor group, has partnered with Dubai-based developer Select Group, for the redevelopment of the historic The Mere in Cheshire, UK.
The signing reconfirms Accor’s commitment to strategic growth in global markets, capitalising on the international strength and vision of the luxury Fairmont brand and its collection of grand hotels around the globe.
Overlooking The Mere Lake on the outskirts of the affluent town of Knutsford, Cheshire, the 157-acre resort today offers 81 luxurious guest rooms, an 18-hole championship golf course and wellness facilities.
The key architects roped in for the project are Manchester-based Leach Rhodes Walker Architects and London-based Bergman Design House as interior designer, who will transform the resort in close collaboration with Accor’s luxury Design and Technical Services team.
On completion of a comprehensive restoration, redesign and expansion, Fairmont Cheshire The Mere will open in Q3 2024 with 120-bedrooms, including 27 suites.
The resort will retain its championship 18-hole golf course and develop some of the finest wellness and culinary offerings in the region.
A historic hall at Mere can be traced back to 1086 and features in The Domesday Book. In 1834 the ‘New Hall’ was built close to the Mere by Peter Langford Brooke.
Tragically, a fire destroyed much of the Club House in 1973, which was subsequently rebuilt. The hotel was in local ownership under the Boler family since 1984, until 2022 when it was acquired by UAE Select Group, helmed by Manchester-born Rahail Aslam.
With more than 80 locations around the globe, Fairmont is known for its grand and awe-inspiring properties, many of which are steeped in history and are celebrated destinations in and of themselves.
Fairmont Cheshire The Mere will be a leading luxury golf and spa resort in the North West of England, a complementary addition to Fairmont’s acclaimed golf resort portfolio, particularly Fairmont St Andrews and Carton House, a Fairmont Managed Hotel in County Kildare, Ireland.
The new country estate resort, opening in Cheshire in 2024, follows in the footsteps of Fairmont Windsor Park which opened to much acclaim at the start of 2022.
The new hotel will be Accor’s 5th Fairmont hotel in the UK & Ireland, a grand collection of hotels which notably includes the world-renowned The Savoy – A Fairmont Managed Hotel in London.
On the new signing, CEO Mark Willis said: “The Fairmont brand is known for its timeless grandeur, magnificent architecture celebrated addresses with heartfelt service and, as such, is a natural partner for The Mere. In partnership with Select Group, our combined vision will create a property which will set a new standard for luxury hospitality in the North West of England, further solidifying Fairmont as an exceptional brand for unforgettable experiences.”
Select Group Founder and CEO Rahail Aslam said: “We are pleased to grow our strategic partnership with Accor and excited to add the Fairmont brand to our extensive international portfolio of hospitality developments.” “Delivering globally recognized experiences with a local touch, we look forward to rebranding the iconic The Mere Golf Resort & Spa to Fairmont, reinforcing the property’s positioning as the luxury hotel of choice in the North-West of England for both business and leisure travelers,” he added.
