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# Countess of Wessex opens new hotel near Lichfield
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/countess-of-wessex-opens-new-hotel-near-lichfield/
- Published: 2011-09-16T08:30:04.000Z
- Updated: 2011-09-15T19:13:07.000Z
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Business, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 21:41, News

[![The Countess of Wessex at Drayton Manor Hotel](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/nti_wessex_draytonmanor05.jpg "The Countess of Wessex at Drayton Manor Hotel")](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2011/09/16/countess-of-wessex-opens-new-hotel-near-lichfield/nti%5Fwessex%5Fdraytonmanor05/)

The Countess of Wessex at Drayton Manor Hotel

A hotel near Lichfield has been officially opened by Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex.

The royal visitor was given a private tour of the new facility and met many of the staff working at the site.

Drayton Manor Theme Park’s managing director, Colin Bryan, said:

> “Her Royal Highness was taken on a private tour of the hotel by my eldest son, William, before unveiling a commemorative plaque in the Park View Suite and signing our visitor book. She was then taken into the theme park where she met the Fat Controller in Thomas Land, who presented her with gifts for her two children.  
>  
> “We are all deeply honoured to have met The Countess of Wessex. Having her officially open the hotel and unveil the plaque is something we will all remember and commemorate this special day.”

The Drayton Manor Hotel, which opened to guests on August 15, has 150-bedrooms, including 11 Thomas & Friends-themed family rooms, featuring a hand-painted scene on the wall and ceiling depicting a different character from the series. There are also themed bunk beds and train track patterned carpets in the corridors leading to each room.