Before we dive into the details, could you briefly introduce yourselves and any family members? What are your names, ages, place of residence, and what is the name of your accommodation?

My Wife, Eleanor, and I have run an international Design & Architecture office (Parti Studio) since graduation from the Royal College of Art in 2016. We started ARC after specialising in 5* hotels and wanted to bring something new—5* quality but for exclusive use, for large families or groups to spend quality time together. ARC has locations in the Cotswolds (ARC Painswick) and Cornwall (ARC Padstow). They have been so successful that we are renovating another six hotels for 2024/25 ARC launches.

We would love it if you could share a bit more about yourselves with our customers. Can you tell us about your interests, leisure time, work, family, or vacations?

We love design and travel as much as we can to immerse ourselves in it. For work, we lived in China, Thailand, and Australia when we started Parti, so we enjoy visiting different cultures and learning from them. We also travel a lot within the UK with friends. The produce and food culture in places like Cornwall and other counties is amazing, and we love to cook.

When and how did this property come into your life, and what motivated you to make it a part of your life?

ARC was a response to a problem we encountered while travelling in large groups. The quality often drops, and hotels are impersonal and don’t cater well to groups. During the Covid pandemic, we travelled across the country looking for properties that would make the perfect ARC. We visited over 50 before settling on ARC Painswick. We already knew Painswick as one of the most beautiful towns in the Cotswolds, having visited it in our childhood.

Can you tell us more about the process of renovating and decorating your home?

As architects, the trick for us is always re-imagining the building. We remove all 20th-century additions to reveal the bones of the historic building. Then, we carefully unify the material palettes and often use bespoke furniture to tie the rooms together.

On a personal level, what makes this home so special to you? Are there particular memories or moments that make it dear to you?

We created an internal courtyard (very unusual in the UK) by removing a series of extensions and adding a long, slim kitchen link. This is my favourite space in ARC Painswick; every room in ARC overlooks this courtyard, where we planted a cherry blossom.

How would you describe the atmosphere and interior of your home?

It’s architectural, gallery-like, and very focused on materials.

What makes the location where your accommodation is located unique and special?

Painswick is known as the Queen of the Cotswolds. The materials are sensational. It has cute cafés, pubs, and wonderful walking paths. What could be better?

Are there sustainable or environmentally friendly features associated with your property that you are proud of?

All ARC properties integrate heat pumps, and wherever possible, we eliminate gas and oil entirely.

What motivated or inspired you to rent your property to guests?

We created ARC to give guests a place to gather and make memories. We call ARC “reimagining the country house for designed experiences.”

Can you paint a vivid picture of the overall experience someone can expect when staying at your home?

Staying in ARC is about discovery. All the little touches, the corners, and moments of interaction with your family and the architecture.

In what ways does your home stand out from others? What makes it unique for guests?

All our bedrooms are equally luxurious—ensuite, super king beds—so no one gets a bad room! We also have the best kitchens, equipped with Miele appliances and 6-meter-long kitchen islands made from a single piece of stainless steel!

Can you share the best compliments you have received from a guest?

When guests tell us they’ve made memories they will cherish forever.

Do you have recommendations for guests to make the most of their vacation? Your valuable tips will be featured on your accommodation's page!

Use the ARC lobby to bring in help when you need it—chefs, housekeepers, babysitters, and more.