Future "I Do's" at The Chace Hotel

One of the function rooms at The Chace in its present, rather sad state

If you’ve driven past the grand old building on London Road recently, you might have noticed that the Chace Hotel (formerly known as the Iliffe) is looking… well… a little “mid-renovation chic.”

At the moment, it’s less “wedding bells” and more “hard hats.” With plaster occasionally deciding gravity is optional, a roof that’s been trialling indoor water features, electrics that prefer surprise over reliability, and hot water that’s currently a rumour rather than a reality — it’s safe to say nobody in their right mind would book their big day there today.

But give us a year.

Because what’s happening behind the scaffolding and dust sheets isn’t decay — it’s revival. And when the transformation is complete, Coventry will have a truly stunning wedding venue back in its repertoire.

From Grand Old Dame to Glamorous Comeback

The Chace has always had presence. That sweeping Victorian architecture, generous grounds, and stately rooms were built for celebration. The refurbishment is about honouring that character — not stripping it away — while bringing everything firmly into the 21st century (with electrics that behave, heating that works, and hot water on tap… revolutionary stuff).

Once restored, couples won’t just be hiring a venue. They’ll be stepping into a piece of Coventry’s story — refreshed, polished, and ready for its next chapter.

Weddings of All Shapes and Sizes

One of the most exciting things about the Chace is its flexibility. Not every couple wants the same kind of celebration — and this building has the space to say “yes” to all of them.

💍 The Intimate Affair

Planning something smaller? Picture a refined ceremony in one of the elegant, restored function rooms, followed by a relaxed wedding breakfast with your nearest and dearest. Think candlelight, long tables, great wine, and zero stress about squeezing Auntie Jean into a corner.

💃 The Classic Mid-Sized Celebration

For those sweet-spot weddings — 60 to 120 guests — the Chace’s larger suites will offer that perfect balance of atmosphere and space. Ceremony in one room, drinks reception flowing into another, and then a dance floor that doesn’t feel like a postage stamp once the party gets going.

🎉 The Big, Bold Bash

Want everyone you’ve ever met there? Excellent. The larger event spaces will comfortably accommodate grand celebrations with full dining layouts, staging for bands or DJs, generous dance floors, and room for all the dramatic entrances you can choreograph.

More Than Just “The Big Day”

The beauty of a multi-room venue is the flow it allows:

• Ceremony indoors (no British weather roulette)

• Drinks in the gardens

• Wedding breakfast in the main suite

• Evening party in a separate space for a full atmosphere shift

  
  

It’s also ideal for:

• Engagement parties

• Baby showers

• Gender reveals

• Birthdays

• Anniversary celebrations

• Corporate events that don’t feel corporate

• Charity balls and community functions

The versatility means your event can feel completely personal — formal and traditional, relaxed and modern, or somewhere gloriously in between.

The Gardens: Future Photo Heaven

Once the grounds are refreshed, couples will have a ready-made backdrop for photographs. Think sweeping lawns, period architecture, and golden-hour shots that don’t require driving halfway across Warwickshire.

The setting alone will make it feel like a destination wedding — without anyone having to pack a passport.

This Time Next Year…

Ok, right now this grand old dame might not be much to look at, but fast forward twelve months and imagine:

• Warm lighting glowing through restored windows

• Crisp white table linens under sparkling chandeliers

• Champagne glasses clinking

• Laughter echoing through rooms that feel grand but welcoming

• A dance floor full of people who swore they “don’t dance”

  
  

The Chace won’t just be back. It’ll be reborn — a Coventry venue that blends heritage charm with modern comfort.

So no, you wouldn’t book it today unless you have a particular fondness for industrial aesthetics and unpredictable plumbing.

But soon?

Soon it will be one of the most exciting wedding venues in the region — and well worth the wait.

With the magic AI and a bit of poetic licence, this is what it might look like