Mövenpick to Open UK Hotel, Bring Daily Chocolate Hour to Hampshire

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts plans to bring its first property to the United Kingdom, taking over the Old Thorns Hotel & Resort in Hampshire for a late-2027 opening. The Swiss chain, known for its long-running daily free dessert hour enjoyed by guests at more than 130 Mövenpick properties worldwide, says the Hampshire project will bring the brand’s culinary heritage to the UK market. The planned Mövenpick Hampshire – Old Thorns will sit on a 400-acre estate and anchor a property that aims to combine leisure with business facilities, offering a championship-level golf course, extensive conference facilities and multiple dining options.

The Old Thorns site has been identified as a strategic entry point for Mövenpick’s UK expansion. The estate, located just off the A3 near the South Downs National Park, will host four restaurants, a wellness centre with a new spa and a ballroom capable of hosting more than 500 event guests. In the interim, guests can already see plans and room configurations for the property, with current booking windows indicating a continuation of the site’s existing hospitality mix until March 31, 2027, before the full Mövenpick concept is expected to take hold from April 2027 onward.

The acquisition of Old Thorns was completed earlier this year by Select Group, the Dubai-based real estate firm that has been expanding its footprint in the UK. The timing aligns with Mövenpick’s broader European footprint, which already includes hotels in the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany as part of Accor’s premium portfolio. Mövenpick’s UK entry marks a notable step in Accor’s strategy to reinforce its premium-brand lineup in a market eager for culinary-focused, experiential hospitality experiences.

Mövenpick was founded in 1948 by Swiss restaurateur Ueli Prager and was acquired by Accor in 2018. The brand’s signature chocolate hour was introduced to all Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts worldwide by 2018, turning hotel lobbies into immersive, dessert-forward showcases that combine chocolate artistry with Swiss hospitality. The daily hour is not merely a promotional gimmick; it is a centerpiece of the brand’s identity, designed to evoke a sense of hospitality rooted in confectionery craft and social sharing.

Graham Dodd, vice president development for UK & Ireland, premium, midscale and economy brands at Accor, said bringing Mövenpick to the UK strengthens the company’s premium portfolio while underscoring a commitment to growth in a competitive market. “Bringing Mövenpick to the UK marks an important step in strengthening our premium brand portfolio and reinforcing our growth commitment for this important market,” Dodd said. “Mövenpick is a world-renowned brand that is recognised for its culinary excellence and environmental responsibility, which align perfectly with the expectations of UK guests. The Old Thorns estate provides an exceptional backdrop to introduce the brand in this incredibly important destination for Accor.”

The planned Hampshire property is designed to blend luxury with accessibility. Rooms at the Old Thorns Hotel were previously available with rates starting around £89 per night for double occupancy, with higher-rate periods such as New Year’s Eve spiking to several hundred pounds. Current plans suggest a transition to Mövenpick’s branding and service standards, including the chocolate hour, which has become a hallmark of the chain’s guest experience. The development aims to leverage the estate’s existing golf facilities and conference spaces to attract both leisure travelers and corporate clients seeking premium meeting environments.

The UK’s hospitality market has shown resilient demand for international premium brands, particularly those with distinctive culinary programs and sustainability credentials. Accor’s portfolio expansion into the UK with Mövenpick complements existing presence in the region and aligns with broader industry trends toward experiential travel and “food as experience” concepts. In addition to the culinary program, Mövenpick’s emphasis on environmental stewardship remains a talking point in market materials and partner engagements, a factor that Resonates with UK guests who increasingly weigh sustainability in their lodging choices.

World Chocolate Day, observed on July 7, is one of the occasions Mövenpick has historically celebrated with site-specific culinary displays, including city skyline recreations crafted from chocolate in previous events. While those productions are occasional, the daily chocolate hour remains a constant feature for guests across Mövenpick’s portfolio, illustrating the brand’s commitment to experiential dining and distinctive guest moments.

The Old Thorns project also signals broader activity from Accor in the European midscale-to-premium arena, leveraging Mövenpick’s culinary strengths to differentiate accommodations in competitive regional markets. The Hampshire site’s combination of high-end dining, substantial event spaces, and wellness amenities aligns with current consumer preferences for multifaceted, experience-driven hotel stays. By introducing Mövenpick to the UK, Accor aims to offer a recognizable Swiss hospitality legacy that blends traditional confectionery theater with modern, sustainability-minded hospitality practices.

Ultimately, the Mövenpick brand’s arrival in the UK reflects a strategic push to diversify its European footprint while reinforcing Accor’s mission to provide premium guest experiences anchored by culinary excellence and environmental responsibility. The Old Thorns project is expected to attract visitors seeking high-end leisure experiences, corporate events, and hotel-based amenities set against the Hampshire countryside, with a late-2027 target for a full Mövenpick-branded operation. As with other Mövenpick properties, the Hampshire hotel will likely emphasize a curated culinary program, including the daily chocolate hour, alongside a robust slate of dining outlets and wellness offerings designed to complement its golf course and conference facilities. The unfolding development underscores the ongoing evolution of the UK hospitality market, where global brands are increasingly leveraging unique guest experiences to drive premium demand and brand differentiation.