Luxury brand Nobu heads to the English countryside

Nobu is heading for the English countryside. The luxury hospitality brand, best known for its city-based hotels and swanky restaurants, is launching its first rural retreat in the UK.

It has plans for a hotel, spa, restaurant and branded residences set across 185 acres in Rutland, England’s smallest historic county.

Set to launch as Nobu Woolfox, the development promises a very different take on the brand’s signature luxury, swapping skyscrapers and city lights for lakes, wellness spaces and long walks through the countryside.

Nobu is partnering with the existing, high-end wellness-themed Woolfox Members Club.

Founded in 2020, close to the Georgian town of Stamford across the border in Lincolnshire, Woolfox is known for its exclusivity, so the collaboration makes a lot of sense.

Although no timeline has been given for when the Nobu Woolfox site will relaunch, the rural project is the first-of-its-kind for the Nobu Hospitality portfolio, which tends to focus its hotel and restaurant products on luxurious and often foodie destinations, including London, Rome, New York, Ibiza, and San Sebastian.

The brand hopes the new space will see guests embrace a slower pace of living, and move Nobu into a new area of countryside retreats.

“This is a truly special location in the heart of England, surrounded by rolling historic landscapes and quintessential English countryside,” said Trevor Horwell, CEO of Nobu Hospitality.

“For the first time within our portfolio, we have the opportunity at Nobu Woolfox to create a special countryside retreat experience – one that offers all the hallmarks of Nobu, but in a setting defined by nature, tranquillity, and a sense of escape. We look forward to working closely with Woolfox to envision and curate a truly distinctive English countryside retreat.”

What will the new Nobu venture look like?

The new development is set to feature sumptuous lake-view rooms and suites, alongside a signature Nobu restaurant and bar, and curated food and beverage spaces.

There will also be a collection of branded residences, offering homes for those looking to live a luxury lifestyle in the English countryside.

Leisure facilities will include wellness spaces, an opulent spa, swimming pool and gym, and Woolfox’s existing grounds will be landscaped to make the most of their spectacular setting.

Rutland is known for its unspoilt landscapes and pretty towns and villages. Thanks to Rutland Water, one of Europe’s largest man-made reservoirs, it’s become a hub for outdoor pursuits, from sailing, water sports, and fly fishing, as well as scenic walking and cycling trails.

Nearby Stamford and historical Burghley House, which hosts an annual horse trials in September, make this area a year-round destination.

The new Nobu development will be under two hours from London, Cambridge, Birmingham and Manchester by train, making it a home-from-home for members and temporary guests.

Nobu Hospitality, founded by master chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Hollywood A-lister Robert De Niro, and businessman Meir Teper, is also set to launch a restaurant, hotel and branded residence in the heart of Manchester, within the next few years.

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