The Cheshire Puts the “Grand” in Grand Opening Week!
The Cheshire has had a busy week since our re-launch last Monday after the completion of an extensive multi-million dollar renovation! It was truly a time for celebration as the St. Louis community gathered for multiple events to celebrate the re-opening of the historic treasured gem of St. Louis, The Cheshire.
A ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, August 10 marked our official Grand Opening complete with St. Louis’ most influential group of VIPs in attendance. St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, County Executive Charlie Dooley, Richmond Heights Mayor James Beck, LHM Chairman Bob O’Loughlin, LHM President Steve O’Loughlin and Partner George Bauer all gathered to partake in the memorable event marking the beginning a brand new era in the history of The Cheshire.
Boxters and Bikinis, an exclusive celebration in partnership with Alive Magazine and Plaza Porsche, was held the evening of Thursday, August 11 at The Cheshire. Over 250 guests browsed the latest Porsche Boxster models and enjoyed an informal fashion show with bikinis by L Space from Splash. The event raised over $1,300 for HavenHouse St. Louis, a Hospital Hospitality House that provides affordable lodging, care, and support services for out-of-town families with a loved one in a St. Louis hospital. It was definitely the see-and-be-seen event of the summer!
Both Friday and Saturday’s cool summer nights brought in a bustling crowd. The Fox & Hounds Tavern overflowed with patrons gathering from the baseball game decked out in Cards gear to have a celebratory drink. Guests enjoyed the weather and lounged by the gas-lamp lit pool while mingling with cocktails in hand. The first weekend of the re-opening proved to be a huge success!
To round out Grand Opening week, The Cheshire held a public open house on Sunday from 12:00-4:00pm where nearly 1,000 people from the community toured the hotel and got a peek at several of the new rooms and suites. From the sleek James Bond suite with a “floating” bed and luxe mod furniture to the new modern wellness center with Matrix fitness equipment, guests were able to see the transformation that has taken place over the last year. The feedback was fantastic!
After only one short week, thousands have gone through the “new” boutique hotel on informational tours to view the new features of The Cheshire. The buzz surrounding the renovation has been nothing but positive, and we are so excited to begin this new chapter of The Cheshire!
It’s official – The Cheshire is OPEN! We are excited to announce that, while there are still finishing touches in the works, we are open and welcoming guests. After months of construction touching every inch of the landmark hotel, we are excited to share some details about what promises to be an exciting new chapter in the storied history of this classic British boutique hotel.
We know that many of our St. Louis neighbors have watched our renovation progress while passing by on Clayton Road or heard about some of the details in the local news. Now is your chance to come check out the “new” Cheshire for yourself! Join us for a community OPEN HOUSE on Sunday, August 14 from 12 – 4 pm. We will be offering informal tours of the hotel throughout the afternoon.
Today’s renovated Cheshire retains all the historic detail for which it is known, yet seamlessly blends the past with the future. During the Open House, guests can explore several of the 108 guest rooms and suites named in honor of British authors; view the sleek wellness center featuring Matrix fitness equipment; take a peek at the modern business center with computer stations and printer; lounge by the outdoor gas-lamp lit pool patio area complete with a heated pool and cabanas; and end the tour by pulling up a stool and ordering a cold pint at the newly renovated Fox & Hounds Tavern.
We are pleased to announce the re-opening of The Cheshire. Come see the transformation for yourself!
ST. LOUIS (August 5, 2011) – The roots of The Cheshire date back to the late 1920’s. Now after a multi-million dollar restoration, the landmark hotel reopens today, beginning the next chapter in its storied past.
The hotel and adjacent restaurant were purchased by St. Louis-based Lodging Hospitality Management Inc. (LHM) in December 2010. Over the past seven months, the hotel has undergone a massive renovation, taking the building down to its “bones,” and then restoring and rebuilding into a luxurious boutique hotel. Yet while the hotel features modern amenities and systems, the charm and character that The Cheshire has long been known for has been painstakingly preserved. Many of the antiques, artwork and architectural details have been restored and repurposed in keeping with the hotel’s British theme.
“The Cheshire’s unique character and authentic details are what make it special,” explained Bob O’Loughlin, chairman of LHM. “From the moment we took on this project, our intention was to capture that spirit and reinvent it for a new generation. We think guests will be pleased with the balance of old and new.”
The property’s history dates back to the late 1920’s when St. Louisan Bill Medart opened a luncheonette in a log cabin on the site. The casual hamburger stand was known as Medart’s Olde Cheshire and was a hot spot for decades. In 1960, Steven J. Apted purchased the property and remodeled the restaurant into The Cheshire Inn, complete with authentic British art, antiques, furnishings and details. Four years after opening the new restaurant, Mr. Apted built The Cheshire Lodge (today’s hotel building) and furnished it with antiques and collections from his world travels.
Many of those charming British furnishings and details are woven throughout the “new” Cheshire. Additionally, each of the 108 guest rooms and suites is named in honor of a British author. As they check in, guests are given a bookmark emblazoned with a quote from their room’s author and then will discover a hard-bound sample of his or her work in their royal quarters. The cozy wood-paneled study is lined with shelves bursting with British literature and presided over by a portrait of Captain Frederick Burnaby, the legendary British explorer and travel writer.
Another feature for which the old Cheshire Lodge was known was the Fantasy Suites. The new Cheshire boasts six “Novelty Suites” a fresh take on the concept. Each of these spacious suites is custom designed to capture the spirit of a major work of literature. From James Bond to Romeo and Juliet, the décor, furnishings and artwork are all customized to the theme and several include unique features like Jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces. In addition to the Novelty Suites, the hotel offers mini suites, a quiet executive level, poolside rooms and extended stay mini suites. All offer luxurious pillow-top beds, flat-screen TVs, vintage artwork and Archive bath products. Pets are also welcome at The Cheshire (up to 60 pounds), and the Noble Pet Program, in partnership with Nestle Purina, provides items such as custom dog beds and bowls, maps of area parks and dog runs, food and water bowls, and pet walking/sitting service.
In addition to the classic details like the red phone booth (repurposed to house an ATM machine) and the elaborately carved living room mantle, the hotel also boasts modern amenities and features including an outdoor heated pool offering poolside food and beverage and massage by The Face and Body; a sleek wellness center featuring Matrix fitness equipment; modern bathrooms with granite counters and nickel fixtures; and a business center with computer stations and printer.
No British inn would be complete without a proper pub, and The Cheshire is no exception. The legendary Fox & Hounds Tavern has been restored and re-launched, complete with its cozy stone fireplace, wood-paneled booths and rustic ambiance. The tavern features an extensive list of Irish, American and Scottish whiskeys, half-yards of ale, and of course, other beer, wine and cocktails. A small plates menu features traditional pub fare, ensuring that one’s cocktail of choice can be enjoyed alongside a savory lunch, dinner or late night snack. The tavern’s menu is also served at the Poolside Terrace and on the garden-like Clayton Courtyard, a new addition to the front of the hotel.
For more information about The Cheshire, please visit: www.cheshirestl.com. For additional information on the hotel’s owner, Lodging Hospitality Management, please visit: www.lhmc.com. To schedule an interview or for other media inquiries, please contact Heather Strahorn at 314/600-1874 or hstrahorn@twiststl.com.
The Cheshire, undergoing a multi-million dollar restoration, just announced that they will feature a British Literary Theme for all guest rooms. The concept was selected to pay homage to the property’s British heritage and to continue the tradition of themed rooms which the hotel is known for. The 108 completely renovated guestrooms and suites will be themed featuring a British author, poet or playwright. Inside the room guests will discover a small plaque with the biography of the writer accompanied by a hard back copy of their work. The Novelty Suite Collection will showcase custom furniture, artwork and décor to bring some of the most notable pieces of British literature to life such as Ian Fleming’s “James Bond,” William Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet” as well as E.M. Foster’s “Passage to India.” The new chapter for The Cheshire will begin this summer.
Contact Kelly Kener, Director of Sales for group inquiries.
The Cheshire and Big Shark Bicycle Company, St. Louis’ premier cycling store, will be partnering to offer guests the opportunity to explore the Cheshire neighborhood including DeMun, Forest park and The Loop. Mike Weiss, Big Shark Company Owner, will provide the house bikes for guests’ use. Guests will also be able to utilize a wide range of services from Little Shark to enhance their recreational experience. “With the ideal location of The Cheshire, we anticipate the complimentary bicycle service to be a wildly popular amenity,” said Harry Lunt, The Cheshire General Manager. Big Shark is located at 6133 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112. Their phone number is 314-862-1188. They also have locations in Chesterfield and Downtown.
STLToday.com published a story about bringing new life to the Cheshire Inn. The article noted that the Inn’s new owner, Lodging Hospitality Management (LHM), will be putting millions into renovations of the property as well as adding a new restaurant. The Cheshire Inn is excited to reveal its new improvements in July 2011.
Read the full article at STLToday.com.
