14/02/2013

Tracey Bush artwork mentioned in Conde Nast Traveller Magazine

Ideas for weekend breaks in the UK

England

THE MAGDALEN CHAPTER, EXETER

What is it?
This is the newest property in the growing Chapter porfolio. The people behind it (Swire Hotels, known for the wonderful Upper House and The Opposite House in China) aim to build a collection of affordable design hotels in less hard-hitting UK cities (Cheltenham was the first).

Behind the scenes
Architects Feilden Clegg Bradley spent three-and-a-half years turning this Grade II-listed, 19th-century building into a remarkable contemporary space, keeping Edwardian features such as the terrazzo floors and adding two top-floor bedrooms, an indoor-outdoor pool, a spa and a sitting room with massive windows. There are hints of its history, too: in one corridor, the old patient-visiting sign remains fixed to the wall.

We like
The modern-art collection, particularly Tracey Bush's Worldwide Butterflies, created out of local maps.