Gloucester’s first boutique luxury hotel will open its doors next week, marking a major milestone in the city’s ongoing regeneration.
Hotel Indigo at The Forum will officially welcome guests from Tuesday, bringing a new standard of accommodation to the city centre. The 129-room hotel forms the centrepiece of the £107 million Forum development and has already generated significant interest, with more than 1,000 bookings made ahead of its official opening.
The hotel promises a distinctive experience for visitors, featuring Gloucester’s first rooftop bar. Set to be named Crimson Spire, the venue will offer panoramic views across the city skyline and towards Gloucester Cathedral, creating a striking new destination for both guests and residents.
Alongside the rooftop bar, visitors will be able to dine at the hotel’s all-day bistro West Window, enjoy coffee and light bites at Café Terraé, or host events within the development’s impressive 44-tonne glass and steel skybridge, which will serve as a unique event space.
The hotel is operated by IHG Hotels & Resorts, an international hospitality group with properties in major cities including London, Berlin, New York and Hong Kong. Each Hotel Indigo location is designed to reflect the character of its surroundings, and Gloucester’s venue is no exception.
The interior design draws heavily on the city’s rich heritage. One theme reflects Gloucester’s importance as a Roman settlement, following archaeological discoveries made during development works in the King’s Quarter area. These included Roman mosaics, pottery and a figurine of Venus dating back more than 2,000 years.
Another influence comes from the rediscovery of the 13th-century White Friars, a Roman Catholic religious house uncovered beneath the site.
Gloucester’s cultural identity also features prominently throughout the hotel. Some guest rooms are inspired by the whimsical world of Beatrix Potter’s “The Tailor of Gloucester”, while other elements celebrate the city’s festivals, creative arts scene and historic docks.
The Forum development itself is a key part of Gloucester’s wider city centre transformation. Delivered by Gloucester City Council in partnership with developers Reef + Partners, the £107 million mixed-use scheme forms part of a broader £200 million regeneration of Kings Square, which also includes the University of Gloucestershire’s new city centre campus.
The development combines the hotel with premium office space, residential apartments and more than two acres of newly designed public open space.
Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Council, said the project represents a major step forward for the city.
“I’m delighted that Hotel Indigo has taken inspiration from our unique and beautiful city which rightly deserves to be celebrated,” he said.
“This will be our first luxury hotel and it will be a catalyst for change in terms of what we can offer the thousands of visitors who come to Gloucester. It will mean that Gloucester is not just a day trip but an overnight destination with a quality hotel right next to transport links. Along with The Forum development, it will attract more people to the city, boosting the local economy and providing jobs.”
Peter Langley-Smith, managing director at Reef + Partners, said the hotel would help establish The Forum as a key destination within the city centre.
“The opening of Hotel Indigo adds a new dimension to The Forum, creating a real destination that showcases Gloucester’s identity,” he said.
“With the hotel, its rooftop bar and event space, alongside the impressive living wall, public open space and residential apartments, The Forum continues to transform the city centre.”