A FORMER Benedictine monastery transformed into a country house hotel has joined a special collection as part of a bid to further boost visitor numbers.

The historic Stanbrook Abbey Hotel will officially launch as part of the award winning Hand Picked Hotels collection next month.

The collection is a portfolio of architecturally stunning hotels in relaxed and stylish surroundings.

The Grade II listed former abbey located at the foot of the Malvern Hills, joins a group of 20 country house hotels and resorts across the UK as part of an expansion to boost the Hand Picked presence in the heart of England.

The official launch of Stanbrook Abbey Hotel into the Hand Picked Hotels collection will be marked on July 5 with a celebratory reception being held for special guests in the hotel’s stunning Callow Great Hall, hosted by chairman and chief executive of Hand Picked Hotels, Julia Hands.

Julia Hands, who formed Hand Picked Hotels in 2001, said: “Stanbrook Abbey Hotel has a wonderful setting and a fascinating history which perfectly complements our portfolio of architecturally stunning hotels in relaxed and stylish surroundings.

"As a collection of individually designed hotels, we take great pride in offering our guests exceptional bedrooms, exquisite food, fine wines and excellent service and Stanbrook Abbey Hotel will reflect this ethos now as part of the Hand Picked family.

"The hotel’s unique offering and ideal location, close to Worcester and the Cotswolds with good transport links, offers us huge potential to attract leisure, wedding, conference and business guests to the area and we are working with the region’s tourism organisations and local industry to position the hotel as a vibrant destination for business and leisure during the integration period and beyond."

Andrea Borwell-Fox, president of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce and Ben Mannion, vice-president of the chamber, will make a joint speech at the launch reception, welcoming Hand Picked Hotels to the region.

Andrea Borwell-Fox, who also runs a software business in Malvern, said: “We are delighted that Hand Picked Hotels is joining the business community in Worcestershire, bringing a wealth of experience as a group running country house hotels in key locations for leisure and business across the UK and the Channel Islands.

"Stanbrook Abbey is in one of the most beautiful areas of the country and tourism is a very important part of the regional economy, attracting visitors to enjoy the great outdoors, the countryside and waterways."

For more details visit handpickedhotels.co.uk/stanbrookabbey.