The St Ermin’s Hotel, Westminster is re-homing the majority of its resident bees to a new ‘out-apiary’ in Somerset in response to reports that London is reaching ‘peak bee’. Recent research indicates the increasing number of urban bee hives in the city is adversely affecting the ecological balance of London’s other resident flora and fauna.
The focus of this new commitment by St Ermin’s is bee health and pollination, with honey production secondary. Both the bees remaining on the hotel terrace and their country cousins will over winter with their own food reserves, only the surplus honey remaining in spring will be harvested.
A tranquil valley north of Taunton, in the foothills of Exmoor, is now home; an area of organic farming offering ancient woodland, unploughed fields, abundant hedgerows, wild flowers and clean air.
The hotel’s Bee Terrace, where guests can safely view the bees through full-length windows, will still be active with two busy hives plus the Bee & Bee Hotel – specifically designed to appeal to the UK’s very many solitary bee species.
The hotel was a very early adopter of urban beekeeping, introducing around 350,000 Buckfast bees on to the hotel roof in 2011, developing the guest-friendly Bee Terrace a few years later and offering bee-keeping seminars. The honey, now harvested in Spring rather than late Summer, will continue to contribute to the hotel’s restaurant menus and cocktail ingredients.
For further information on St Ermin’s Hotel, visit www.sterminshotel.co.uk.
About the St Ermin’s Hotel
The St. Ermin’s Hotel, part of the Mariott Autograph Collection, is a charming grade II listed property in the heart of Royal London – just a stone’s throw away from Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. Through the lush private courtyard, guests are greeted in the spectacular lobby, featuring the dramatic plasterwork of famous Victorian theatre designer J.P.Briggs. Throughout the property, the carefully considered, eclectic interiors reflect the history and nature of the property, with subtle nods to its intriguing espionage past, and rich heritage throughout. The St. Ermin’s offers a collection of 331 comfortable bedrooms and suites, including Family Suites and dog friendly rooms, and provides plenty of space to relax in, with large public lounges, award winning Caxton Bar & Grill restaurant, pretty Terrace and delightful Tea Lounge serving traditional Afternoon Tea.
About Autograph Collection Hotels:
Autograph Collection Hotels celebrates individuality by curating one-of-a-kind travel experiences at more than 90 luxury lifestyle hotels found in the world’s most desirable destinations. Exactly like nothing else, each hotel has been hand selected for its distinction as an iconic landmark, for its remarkable design or for its best-in-class resort amenities. For more information please visit www.autographhotels.com, and explore our social media channels to learn more about championing the independent spirit that is #ExactlyLikeNothingElse. Instagram Twitter Facebook.