“We’re aiming to be that destination for an amazing dinner" - Owners of Peak District boutique hotel and Sheffield restaurant looking forward to reopening

“We’re aiming to be that destination for an amazing dinner in a beautiful country house hotel – if you want to relax, we’re the place to do it,” said Alistair Myers.
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Alistair and his business partner Tom Lawson who also run Sheffield’s popular Rafters Restaurant, have transformed The Riverside House Hotel at Ashford-in-the-Water into a luxurious place to eat, drink and stay overnight.

“We’re looking forward to reopening a beautiful country house hotel,,” said Alistair, 37, who lives in Eckington. “ We’ve got a stunning venue and we’re really positive about being allowed to reopen.”

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After a two-month refurbishment programme last autumn, when Tom and Alistair worked alongside partners John and Alexandra Hill, the new-look boutique hotel opened for just three days before lockdown struck.

Tom Lawson and Alistair Myers, owners of the Riverside House Hotel at Ashford-in-the-Water.Tom Lawson and Alistair Myers, owners of the Riverside House Hotel at Ashford-in-the-Water.
Tom Lawson and Alistair Myers, owners of the Riverside House Hotel at Ashford-in-the-Water.

Alistair said: "Since then, we’ve really had the time to get our offering right, our food right, our service right and our bedrooms right and the idea is to welcome everybody with open arms. The hotel has been beautifully refurbished and the restaurant is raring to go.”

The 14-bedroom hotel and its restaurant will reopen on May 19 and its owners have been encouraged by advance bookings for the opening week. Alistair said: “The bedrooms are looking quite busy. We’ve got a few tables available at lunchtime, we’re also open to non-residents as well – it’s not just a hotel.

"We’ve got an amazing private dining room overlooking the river and a really nice bar.”

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Tom and Alistair are aiming to bring city luxury to rural Derbyshire by offering similar cuisine and service to that provided at Rafters restaurant in Sheffield which they have owned for more than seven years.

They are also offering The Riverside House Hotel as an exclusive destination for people to celebrate marriages, where the bride and groom can take over the hotel and be toasted by 28 guests at a wedding breakfast and family and friends at an evening party.

Alistair added: “If you want to relax, we’re the place to do it at.”

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