December 3, 2013 4.18 pm This story is over 123 months old

Sneak peek: Steep Hill welcomes new boutique hotel

The Rest Hotel: A new boutique hotel, bar and coffee house is preparing to open its doors on Steep Hill, and we stopped by for an exclusive preview.
The Rest Hotel, on Steep Hill, was formerly known as St Michael's Parish Church, or Reader's Rest. Photo: Emily Norton

Steep Hill in Lincoln is an award winning attraction of its own stature, and the newest addition to this famous address is also one of the oldest.

The Rest Hotel is a new boutique bed & breakfast accommodation, in the heart of the city’s Cathedral quarter, creating 12 new jobs.

Formerly known as St Michael’s Parish Hall, or one half of Reader’s Rest, The Rest Hotel is preparing to welcome its first guests in time for the Lincoln Christmas Market on December 5.

The building, which was built in 1926, has been adopted by businessmen Jeremy Green and Richard Standley.

The conversion boasts a 60-seater open-plan bar and coffee house, which will also be open to the general public, in addition to 10 fully appointed guest rooms.

Rooms range from king sized suites and adjoining twins to the apartment suite at the rear, which sleeps four.

The nature of the location does mean that there is no private parking access to The Rest Hotel.

The coffee bar will be serving a selection of wine and champagne daily, and will be open until 9pm. Future plans for the bar include various afternoon tea events and ladies’ days.

“We hope to appeal to ladies and will be providing a relaxed space for groups to chill and enjoy our wine selection,” said Richard.

“The bar will be open to all and visitors will also have the used of the front terrace and garden at the side of the building. It’s a very small, intimate and casual space.

For Richard Standley, who also manages student property and corporate lettings in the city, the hotel business is a first.

“The building was basically just used to store books and it slowly began to look run down.

“The property itself possibly isn’t as big as we would have originally gone for but, as it was a first for me, I thought it would be great to create something small and intimate.

“The council were a great help, they were really keen to get the place back into use and to provide another key feature on the Lincoln tourism map.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better location. We are right between the High Street end of the city and the beautiful historical quarter. Of course we also have beautiful views of each.”

“We have been working alongside designer Rachel Harris Jones who has done a fantastic job of achieving great quality with a comfortable ambiance.”