What Can We Expect From Nobu’s First Countryside Retreat?

Nobu has glitzy hotels everywhere from the Maldives to Santorini to Ibiza – but for its next venture the luxury chain is making its first foray into the English countryside.

Nobu Woolfox: Everything We Know So Far

A partnership with existing local members’ club Woolfox, the new project will bring Nobu’s signature aesthetic, hospitality and culinary offering to the heart of Rutland with a hotel, restaurant and residences set amid 185 acres of rolling greenery. 

Located near the Georgian town of Stamford, the development will be right in the heart of the area dubbed the Notswolds: a corner of the West Midlands which is fast becoming a competitor to the overcrowded Cotswolds. Home to many picturesque walking and cycling trails, historic market towns and one of Europe’s largest man-made reservoirs, Rutland has transformed into an increasingly popular destination for staycations. And like the Cotswolds, Rutland is close to London, Cambridge, Birmingham and Manchester – which will no doubt help frame the new venue as an accessible countryside weekend retreat that city dwellers can drive to after work on a Friday. 

So what can visitors expect from Nobu Woolfox? The details are limited at this stage but we’re told the hotel will feature lake view rooms and suites, as well as a branch of the world-famous Nobu restaurant. Wellbeing will also play a key role, with a spa, swimming pool and gym. And alongside the hotel, there will be branded residences for those after a more long-term place to stay.

‘This is a truly special location in the heart of England, surrounded by rolling historic landscapes and quintessential English countryside,’ says Trevor Horwell, CEO of Nobu Hospitality. ‘For the first time within our portfolio, we have the opportunity at Nobu Woolfox to create a special countryside retreat experience – one that offers all the hallmarks of Nobu, but in a setting defined by nature, tranquillity and a sense of escape. We look forward to working closely with Woolfox to envision and curate a truly distinctive English countryside retreat.’ 

Chris Riddle, co-founder of Woolfox, adds, ‘We’re excited to be partnering with Nobu to bring its first rural destination to a truly special part of the English countryside. From the very beginning, our dream for Woolfox has been to create a place where people can slow down, reconnect, and spend meaningful time together away from the pace of everyday life. This partnership marks an exciting new chapter in that journey. Nobu is celebrated around the world not only for its exceptional cuisine, but for the care, warmth, and attention it brings to every guest experience.’

The Nobu story began in 1994, when the eponymous Japanese chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa and actor Robert De Niro opened their debut restaurant in New York – with a London branch to follow three years later. It quickly became one of the hottest restaurants in town, attracting a star-studded roster of guests and beloved for signature dishes like black cod miso, rock shrimp tempura and yellowtail sashimi. Then, in 2013, the group expanded into the world of hotels with an inaugural opening in Las Vegas. Now there are 28 hotels dotted all over the globe, each offering something slightly different but focusing on high-end Japanese food, minimalist aesthetics and five-star service. 

The new Rutland branch will be the group’s first rural hotel. ‘Together, we share a vision of creating something genuinely special, a place where the magic of Nobu can be experienced in a peaceful rural setting, offering something rare, memorable, and deeply personal for everyone who visits,’ says Riddle.

When Will Nobu Woolfox Open?

An opening date is yet to be announced, but as development has just been announced it’s likely the launch is still a while off. Stay tuned for more details. nobuhotels.com