Handwritten Collection to enter the UK with historic hotel in Chester

Handwritten Collection, an anthology of carefully curated hotels, today announced the signing of The Queen at Chester Hotel, which marks the brand's first opening in the UK.

The Queen at Chester Hotel
- First UK property: Marks the brand’s entry into Britain, opening summer 2026 after a major renovation.
- Historic roots: Built in 1860 as a gateway for first-class rail travellers. Once considered the first skyscraper of its time, it hosted illustrious guests like Charles Dickens.
- Architecture: Landmark Italianate building, blending heritage with modern hospitality.

Brand Concept
- Handwritten Collection is an anthology of curated hotels launched in 2023.
- Focus: individuality, local personality, and heartfelt hospitality.
- Rapid growth: 40+ hotels in 20 countries within just three years.

Guest Experience
- 218 rooms with diverse styles.
- Dining: V&A Restaurant (modern British cuisine), stylish lounge & bar, terrace for alfresco dining.
- Events: Seven meeting spaces, including a grand ballroom for 400 delegates.
- Amenities: Fitness centre.
- Location: Opposite Chester Railway Station, 10 minutes from the historic city centre — Roman walls, medieval cathedral, The Rows, and Britain’s largest Roman amphitheatre.

Partnership
- First collaboration between Accor and LGH Hotel Management Limited under a franchising agreement.
- Leadership comments highlight the balance of heritage preservation with global commercial strength.

This Chester opening positions Handwritten Collection as a soft brand competitor to boutique portfolios like Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio or Hilton’s Curio Collection, but with a stronger emphasis on storytelling and host personality.