B E A V E R B R O O K
J O R G E D E J E S U S
Photographed by} John Russo
Interview by} Ken Waller
KW: Can you give us a brief background on yourself and how you found your way to working at the property.
My career in the luxury hospitality sphere spans over 20 years and includes positions as Director of Operations at ANdaZ Liverpool Street Station and Innovation Lab Leader at Hyatt where I learnt the importance of championing guest and personalisation experiences. I’ve also held various hospitality consultation roles all of which helped equip me with the skills required for the execution of strategic planning, the creative ability to launch new products and services and oversee the development of in-house departments at Beaverbrook.
KW: Has your role been the same at the property, or have you worked in other roles at the company?
I joined the Beaverbrook family in 2019 as Hotel Manager where I honed my skill set and product knowledge before making the jump to General Manager. I reached my current position as Group General Manager in 2021. These previous positions were crucial to aiding my ability to translate the brand’s strategy into service elements.
KW: Can you tell us the brand philosophy at Beaverbrook?
Beaverbrook celebrates all that is quintessentially British – I would say that this is our core foundation. We also celebrate the history etched within the walls of the estate, as well as the incredible nature on our doorstep. Wellness is a huge pillar for us and our offering is rooted in our surrounding nature – our experiences and practitioners change depending on the seasons. Meanwhile, showcasing the great outdoors through active adventures and activities is instrumental to the brand. All of these combined allow us to epitomize understated luxury – we focus on the simple pleasures yet with the highest standard of service, which is why our discerning guests return year after year.
KW: What makes your property different from staying at other resorts in the region?
People: I’m so proud of the team at Beaverbrook. They are a big part of what makes the estate so special and unique. Our team is so passionate. No matter what role each team member plays, they all work as a team and are excited to push the boundaries and excel further. Like Beaverbrook, we want our team members’ personalities to shine bright and we have created a safe environment for them to be authentically themselves.
Luxury with fun: We take our luxury offerings seriously here at Beaverbrook but we have fun with them. Our guests know they will experience the best of the best when it comes to amenities and on-site activities, but they also know we put our own spin on these offerings. For example, the martini pram is a guest favourite. We took a vintage-style pram and turned it into a ‘strolling’ bar cart so guests can have their martini shaken or stirred in front of them on the patio of Sir Frank’s Bar. In the summertime, we set up bespoke hot air balloons as elevated outdoor dining tables in our Italian Garden. Guests dine under custom-designed hot air balloons while sipping bubbles. It’s become an iconic summer program that we elevate even further each year.
Activities: No matter the season, there are endless activities for guests of all ages to enjoy. In the wintertime, we set up our famed ice-skating rink and you’ll see adults and children joyfully spinning on the ice, or sipping seasonal drinks by the rink. Throughout the springtime, the estate comes to life and you can spend hours strolling through the iconic and very scenic bucolic Surrey countryside. You can pick up a pair of Hunter wellies that we offer complimentary to guests and spend the afternoon strolling or biking through the 420-acre estate.
Our tennis courts and brand new pickleball courts (we were the first country estate in the UK to have pickleball courts) are beloved by our guests. For those looking to learn a new skill, we offer fencing classes.
Our spa is the estate’s crown jewel. Our robust holistic wellness program goes beyond the surface-level meaning of wellness and aims to inspire long-term behavioural change and provide our guests with treatments that offer deep restoration. We have an indoor and outdoor pool, sauna and steam rooms, a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber, and a newly debuted Meadow Hut treatment room which is nestled in the estate’s woodlands. Our spa is truly very special and is a key differentiator between us and other country estates – both in the UK and around the world.
History: Beaverbrook is steeped in a rich tapestry of history, woven with the threads of British aristocracy and global diplomacy. Originally built in the late 19th century as a haven for Lord Beaverbrook and his close network of high-powered guests, the estate has witnessed moments of profound significance, from Winston Churchill’s wartime strategizing in the cinema (which still remains operational today) to intimate discussions between world leaders. Today, we honour Beaverbrook’s legacy by offering a sanctuary of refined luxury, where guests can immerse themselves in the timeless elegance and incredible beauty of the Surrey countryside.
Proximity to London: To reach Beaverbrook, you catch a direct train from London Victoria to Surrey and it takes under an hour. From the station, a short and scenic taxi ride will have you at the doors of the estate in 10 minutes.
KW: What about your property keeps guests returning for multiple stays?
I believe it’s a combination of our team charm and knowledge, a luxury product, exclusive and unique experiences and lots of fun!
KW: We have stayed at the world’s top hotels, and I must say your property is by far the top of the top. The grounds are breathtaking from the staff, which is on their “A” game at all times, and the suites are simply magnificent. How have you maintained such a high level of consistent perfection in an ever-changing hotel market? Is there a secret to your success?
Clear vision from our owners, simple communication and a passionate team about attention to detail and delivering unique personalised experiences.
KW: Tell us about some of the unique curated experiences the property offers.
At Beaverbrook, we pride ourselves in curating highly unique and experiential offerings for our guests. One of my personal favourites is our annual hot air balloon dining experience that takes place in the gardens every summer. Guests are seated in six stationary hot air balloons that are decorated with a beautiful vibrant design. They have the chance to enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine while feeling like they are dining in the clouds. We also open a winter ice rink every year that is complete with cabins that offer sweet treats, hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Last year, we launched the WildKitchen, a state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen masterminded by British filmmaker Guy Ritchie. It’s the first to be launched within any hotel in the UK and celebrates the pleasure of outdoor dining in an environment that allows year-round culinary experiences. The WildKitchen can seat between 12-26 guests and is designed to withstand wet and windy conditions. The experience brings fire back to the heart of cooking and guests are invited to select their chef and cuisine type. It’s a fantastic special occasion venue.
It’s also worth noting that The Coach House Spa has curated a highly unique menu of rotating visiting masters to ensure we’re constantly elevating our wellness offering to appeal to the ever-changing needs of our guests. Names on the roster this year have included abdominal therapy practitioner Amanda Porter who has led dedicated retreats for men and women; medical herbalist Jo Dunbar; and famed acupuncturist James Mutkin.
KW: Can you tell us about your dining options?
Culinary delights abound at Beaverbrook with The Dining Room, The Garden House, Mrs Beeton’s, the Pizzeria, Coach House Deli, and the innovative all-weather group dining option, the WildKitchen on offer.
Located in The House, The Japanese Grill offers an elegant menu of delicately prepared sushi, sashimi, and nigiri plus the finest cuts of meat and fish from the Josper grill. The Beaverbrook Bento Boxes are the perfect offering for a spot of lunch, while the seasonal tasting menu of locally sourced, modern Japanese gourmet specialties provide a remarkable dining experience led by talented chefs.
Guests who fancy themselves explorers of food can find a haven tucked away behind a traditional walled kitchen garden, The Garden House Restaurant. A place where comforting, home-cooked dishes and interiors inspired by the surrounding gardens conspire to create a delightful dining experience, while the atmosphere of The Garden House possesses all the romance and serenity of an English country garden, the Anglo-Italian menu features rustic, Mediterranean-style dishes that showcase the very best of the seasons.
The Village is the hotel’s newest opening (December 2023), and is home to Mrs Beeton’s Restaurant. Named after the famous Victorian culinary goddess, the menu offers classically British fare, prepared using local ingredients alongside an elegant wine list. Guests can enjoy impeccable design and flawless dishes, whilst taking in the picturesque scenes of Beaverbrook’s extensive woodlands and views of The Village.
Last autumn, the hotel launched its WildKitchen, a state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen masterminded by celebrated British filmmaker Guy Ritchie, marking a first within any hotel in the UK. The special occasion venue, which has been designed to withstand all weather conditions, celebrates the pleasure of outdoor dining in the Surrey hills and brings fire back to the heart of cooking through two unique menus – a Japanese nomadic option and a wild surf and turf concept.
Offering a relaxed and comforting dining experience, The Pizzeria at Beaverbrook is the perfect spot to dine with family and friends. The deli offers authentic Italian dining with fresh, seasonal produce perfect for sharing. The traditional pizzas are stone oven-baked to create a truly authentic taste.
Fresh, seasonal, and wonderfully simple food can be found at the Coach House Deli. There, hotel guests, spa members and spa day visitors can enjoy everything from superfood salads and cold-pressed juices to sweet treats and a delicious variety of flatbreads baked in the traditional stone pizza oven.
KW: What are some of the unique treatments the Spa has to offer?
Beaverbrook’s Coach House Spa has been designed with nature at its core by highly acclaimed contemporary artist, Sir Brian Clarke. Its ethos is of a holistic, natural and nurturing approach to wellness, and thanks to the leadership of our Wellness Director, René van Eyssen, is something that is highly unique – as of yet, not yet replicated elsewhere in the UK.
Within the past year, we launched a new outdoor treatment area called ‘The Meadow Hut’, providing a fully immersive well-being experience for guests that centres around natural healing techniques. The space plays host to an innovative, new ‘Vibration Sound Bodywork’ treatment that cannot be found anywhere else and incorporates energy cleansing with sage and rosemary; sound bathing that uses chimes, Tibetan bowls, gongs and tuning forks to balance one’s state of being; and a full body massage to revitalize.
The Coach House Spa is also home to a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). This involves a hyperbaric chamber adding pressure to the body, while the gases in the air supersaturate the bloodstream leading to a quick and dramatic rise in oxygen levels which helps repair cells, energise the brain, ease anxiety, and is a cleansing tool to fuel the body’s defences against viruses. The therapy requires no more than breathing inside the chamber where the higher-pressure atmosphere delivers up to 20 times more oxygen into the bloodstream. Guests always remark on how energised they feel after this treatment.
KW: Can you tell us about the property’s latest addition, “The Village”. How does it differ from “The House?”
The Village emulates the charm of a timeless, quintessentially English village within the woodlands of the Beaverbrook estate. Reconstructed on the site of the original estate’s workers cottages, The Village offers 21 guest rooms, housed across a collection of ten cottages. Each luxury suite has been crafted by interior designer Nicola Harding. Harding’s designs burst with colour and patterned wallpapers and it’s an extension of her existing creations at The Garden House and our sister property, Beaverbrook Town House. Creative Director, Sir Frank Lowe, has brought his usual whimsical, creative curatorial flair to the entire concept, as well as all the artwork within – creating an altogether unforgettable experience to the surprise and delight of our guests. The Village is also home to a new restaurant, Mrs Beeton’s, named after the famous Victorian culinary goddess. It offers a British-inspired menu. The new offering also includes The Dower House which is set within its own private 55 acres. It has a private swimming pool, studio or spa treatment room as well as an Aston Martin for guests to drive. The Village is perfectly positioned to host families and can be bought out in its entirety unlike The House.
To learn more about Beaverbrook visit them at https://www.beaverbrook.co.uk