The approach is obvious as it lead to directly by the sweeping drive, the double wooden doors make a large entrance. The sheltered entrance (very useful with the northern weather) draws people to the front door and as a hotel this is essential as it needs to appear welcoming. As opposed to the house, the lobby of the main building is modern and sleek. The main doors lead to the reception desk and foyer which has large grey floor tiles and a silver and granite reception desk. The main focus of the foyer is a large chandelier in the middle of a curved staircase leading to the first floor. The space under the staircase is often used for tables or a cloak room depending on the event, so although there is a dead space it is useful even though it was not intended to be so.
From the outside of the building you can see into the buidling through the double height windows at either end, giving the customer a view into both the restaurant and the brasserie. Also from the inside the windows give fantastic views over the surrounding countryside. You cannot however see into the more private areas of the hotel such as the offices.
As with the house the main building is very imposing in its surroundings with the look of a converted barn, this is none more evident than in the first floor function rooms aptly named "The Barn" with exposed (albeit new) A-beams. To create a more homely feel, the exterior is covered in climbing plants which also blends into the surroundings and makes it appear as though the house has been there all along.
As it is a business, there are areas where customers are not allowed such as the offices and kitchens. To identify these areas, the doors for all public rooms have recangular panes of glass which allow people to look in, whereas doors leading to private areas are solid. This is true everywhere except the kitchens, which do have panes of glass in the windows.
The public rooms have lots of windows to let in light and offer views of the surroundings, the private rooms have few windows possibly to secure the privacy of what goes on behind the scenes.
The building is new but based on the old barns and stables of the manor house and is therefore connected to the history of the surrounding village. The use is obviously very different to how it used to be but the space is great for events with the size of the function rooms.
The movement through the building is not completely obvious and people often find themselves wandering into the wrong area. For example, many people head for the restaurant instead of the reception as it is the first room you come to. the foyer is often used as the reception area for weddings and this can be invasive to other guests.
I think the building has improved the area, as I said in the previous blog, many people did not know the house was there before and as the house was derelict and on private land it gives people the opportunity to view it.
I can assume there was some opposition from the public with increased traffic to the area and noise pollution as there are houses near.
http://www.stanleyhouse.co.uk/
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