A New British Hotel Collection Begins On The Cornish Coast
The Elysium Collection is preparing to launch a new family of British hotels, spas and health clubs, beginning with the 56-bedroom Elysium St Mawes on Cornwall’s harbourfront.
The Elysium Collection has been introduced as a new family of British hotels, spas and health clubs, focused on informal luxury wellness staycations in UK locations.
Rooted in heritage buildings and shaped by their surroundings, The Elysium Collection is designed to offer a more accessible expression of luxury, with restored properties intended for guests looking to switch off, settle in and spend time well.
The collection will debut with openings across Cornwall, Surrey and the Lake District from autumn 2026 and into 2027. Its first property, the 56-bedroom Elysium St Mawes, will open this autumn following the transformation of the historic Ship and Castle Hotel on Cornwall’s harbourfront. The project is being led in collaboration with 3DReid, the studio behind Gleneagles.
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Informal Luxury Across UK Destinations
Each hotel in the collection is being shaped to feel relaxed, restorative and residential in character, with interiors designed to balance heritage, comfort and a sense of place.
Drawing on The Elysium Collection’s philosophy of informal luxury, the guest experience is intended to feel thoughtful rather than formal. Service will be attentive, warm and instinctive, with an emphasis on the small details that help make a stay feel straightforward.
Guests can expect touches such as seamless arrivals, rooms prepared for the time of day, locally tailored guides covering walks, swims and sunset spots, and seasonal details that reflect each destination. These may include muddy boots cleaned overnight or warming comforts after a day outdoors.
Seasonal Dining Led By Stephane Delourme
Dining across the collection will be led by Executive Chef Stephane Delourme, formerly Head Chef at Rick Stein’s The Seafood Restaurant for more than two decades and later Group Chef for the wider restaurant group.
Menus will focus on produce grown, reared and sourced nearby, with dishes shaped by the season, surrounding landscape and local community. The dining offer is intended to be relaxed, generous and rooted in each hotel’s setting.
In Cornwall, this will mean a strong focus on day-boat fish, shellfish and coastal ingredients, alongside produce from nearby farms and growers.
Across the wider collection, Delourme will work closely with local suppliers to create menus connected to place, simple in spirit and ingredient-led, with an emphasis on flavour, provenance and the pleasure of eating well after a day outdoors.
Wellness And Spa Partnerships
Wellness will sit at the centre of The Elysium Collection experience, with each hotel designed to offer space to slow down, recharge and reset. Each property will have a spa and wellbeing experience tailored to its location.
Elysium St Mawes will launch with TEMPLESPA as its spa partner, offering treatments designed to restore, relax and reset. A second spa partner will be appointed for selected future properties, creating a collection-wide wellness offer that varies by destination while remaining rooted in restoration, comfort and calm.
A Focus On Time-Conscious Travel
James Houlston, CEO of The Elysium Collection, is an experienced hotelier who was responsible for transforming The Swan Hotel in the Lake District and St Michaels Resort in Falmouth into leading UK staycation resorts.
“When developing The Elysium Collection, we wanted to reflect how people travel today. Guests are more time-conscious than ever, and they’re seeking value not just for their money, but for their time. That became our guiding principle, to deeply understand our guests, ensuring that from the moment they arrive, everything has been thoughtfully curated, allowing them to immediately switch off, settle in, and feel they are exactly where they want to be.”
James Houlston CEO, The Elysium Collection
Heritage Buildings And Individual Design
Many of the hotels within the collection are historic properties undergoing restoration to reflect the heritage and character of their surroundings. Working with architects and designers 3DReid, each space will be shaped by its location, from materials and interiors to the overall atmosphere.
Design details will draw on a curated mix of British makers, natural materials and locally inspired finishes. Each property is being developed to feel individual rather than formulaic, combining restored architectural features with layered textiles, considered lighting, characterful bathrooms and bespoke pieces chosen to reflect the setting.
Specific hotel names, locations, facilities, design partners, makers and suppliers will be announced as each property approaches launch.
