The Soho House group, which counts private members’ clubs, hotels and restaurants in its international portfolio, is launching a group of American-style roadside motels across the UK. The first opened on 30 January and offers rooms with Egyptian cotton sheets, high-end skincare products and rainforest showers for £50 per night for the first few months.
Mollie’s Motel and Diner is a slice of Americana in Oxfordshire. Image by Soho House
Located in Buckland, Oxfordshire, about an hour away from Bath, Mollie’s Motel and Diner is the first in a series of motels coming to roadsides and city-centres across the UK. Inspired by the classic American diner, Mollie’s is a motel, diner and drive-thru from Nick Jones, founder and CEO of Soho House, which has private members’ clubs, beloved by celebrities and royalty, and hotels across the globe from London to Los Angeles, Barcelona and New York.
Mollie’s offers high-end interior design. Image by Soho House
Mollie’s was created in collaboration with Quentin Restaurants an attempt at “reinventing the British roadside experience”, says Jones. Located off the A420 between Oxford and Faringdon, Mollie’s features 79 rooms (including interconnected family and bunk rooms) by Soho House Design. All have king-size beds, Egyptian cotton sheets, high-pressure rainforest showers and Cowshed skincare products in the bathrooms.
Rooms are stylish and minimalist. Image by Soho House
Downstairs is an old-school general store with a contemporary vibe. Motel guests can enjoy tea and coffee on the house and purchase a range of everyday essentials from snacks to beauty and skincare products. The store also doubles as a workspace with access to Wi-Fi and charging points.
Founder Nick Jones says he wants to revolutionise the roadside experience. Image by Soho House
In Mollie’s Diner guests will be treated to American classics, with an all-day breakfast of eggs, avocado on toast, bacon, sausage and smoked salmon baps, as well as waffles and healthy grain bowls. For lunch and dinner, there are small bites; cheesy nachos, corn on the cob and a prawn cocktail, the Dirty Burger, free-range rotisserie chicken and mac and cheese, as well as a range of vegetarian and plant-based dishes including the Filthy burger, a vegan option with a beetroot bun. The drive-thru and takeaway counter offer a range of options on-the-go for travellers and families on the move.
It’s the first of a series of roadside motels and diners coming to the UK. Image by Soho House
Reservations can only be made through the Mollie’s app or website. The app will also be used for guests to check-in and out, order food and unlock their rooms with keyless entry, and for diners to book tables and place takeaway orders.
Rooms are available to book from £50 (€57/US$65) for the first few months. Rooms from May onwards will be charged from £75 (€86/US$97). For more information, see here.
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