To London first, where there’s a host of new hotels coming up for those who want either a quiet bolthole to hide away in, or a more buzzing place to hang out. But before diving into the total newcomers in the capital, first a nod to the return of a classic, The Carlton Tower.
With design by 1508 London, Jumeirah’s European flagship has had a multi-million refurb befitting a hotel of such stature. The Knightsbridge hotel was due to take the dust covers off in December, but the big reveal must now wait due to understandable delays, and the hotel is now hoping for a “first half of 2021” opening. The renovation is the most extensive in the hotel’s history, and it will reopen with fewer but larger rooms – 186 keys – with many of the newly-created signature and junior suites enjoying balconies with spectacular views; guests also have access to Cadogan Gardens, a private garden square and tennis courts, while the hotel’s health club The Peak has a new Talise Spa.
Pan Pacific Hotels Group will plant its first flag in Europe this spring in the shape of Pan Pacific London, spreading its Asian influence to a property just across from Liverpool Street Station, an area which previously had little to shout about in the form of luxury hotels, save for the Andaz.
The 237-room and suite hotel within One Bishopsgate Plaza, a new landmark tower for the capital, is the result of work by visionary design firm Yabu Pushelberg. There’s an entire floor dedicated to well-being incorporating an 18-metre infinity pool with views over the plaza and lots of landscaped outdoor space, with gardens integrated into the design of the restaurants and recreational facilities.
Staying in the east of London, Mondrian has taken over The Curtain, which sadly had its final curtain as a result of Covid last year. Mondrian Shoreditch London makes its debut in Spring, and will feature a culinary experience by world-famous chef Dani Garcia, his first time in the Capital. The lifestyle brand – now part of Accor – had a previous life in London when Sea Containers first opened, but its return to the capital will see it flag this “extensively updated” and re-styled 120-room property in east London. Mondrian Shoreditch London will also bring an exciting mixology concept to its rooftop bar and The Curtain Members Club will continue to operate at the property under its current name.
Also coming in Shoreditch is another rework – Montcalm East, now an Autograph Collection Hotel and a stylish re-make of the former M By Montcalm in a striking corner skyscraper on City Road. The 288-room hotel has been given a fresh look by Blacksheep and has also worked with art curators Culture A to commission a thought-provoking artwork, with a focus on east London and emerging talent.
A partnership with Pop Art specialists Proud Galleries will also see the hotel’s mezzanine level adorned with works by legendary photographers. Guests will also be entertained by a series of cultural events and partnerships, including one with Photoworks, an organisation championing photography for all; the hotel’s Mark experience, a signature of all Autograph Collection Hotels, will guide guests on film photography classes, including developing the work in the hotel’s own PhotoLab.
Over in the West End, the big news will be finally getting to see Edwardian Hotels’ The Londoner take to the main stage this spring. Also designed by Yabu Pushelberg, the £300-million project will become as known for what’s above ground as there is below – with several new subterranean levels making it “one of the deepest hotels in the world”.
Smack-bang on Leicester Square, there will be 350 guest rooms and suites, two private screening rooms, six restaurants and bars (including one on the rooftop), a spa and a variety of meeting spaces. The Londoner has also sought to take a lead on sustainable luxury, securing a £175 million Green Loan from HSBC UK, a first for the hospitality sector, with funding used to ensure the hotel exceeds the BREEAM Excellent category in building environmental and sustainable performance. The Londoner is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection and reservations can now be made for stays from 22 March.
The new NoMad hotel was planning on opening its doors in February but will clearly now hold off until once this lockdown is over – after all, following the rules could be in its DNA, given it’s sitting inside what was formerly the Bow Street Magistrate’s Court, a 19th century police station in Covent Garden.
NoMad London is opposite the Royal Opera House and has 91 rooms designed in collaboration with New-York based Roman and Williams, known for their fabulous set designs, and who also oversaw the design of the new British Galleries at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art; NoMad London will house an impressive art programme of its own.
There will be several F&B options spearheaded by executive chef Ian Coogan, one of which will be beneath a dramatic atrium, but we can’t wait for the day when we can pop to The Side Hustle, the hotel’s take on a local pub that will sit on the corner where the entrance to the police station once stood. The hotel is by New York-based hospitality company, Sydell Group, founded by Andrew Zobler who opened The Ned in partnership with Ron Burkle and Soho House a few years back – given that project’s success, this is bound to become the hotspot of Covent Garden.
Hard to believe it hasn’t happened before, but the brilliant Martin Brudnizki is designing his first top-to-toe hotel in London, The Broadwick, bringing some fresh life to the Soho hotel scene. We know and love his restaurant designs of course (Annabel’s, The Coral Room at The Bloomsbury and Sexy Fish in London), and enjoyed getting to know his work at The University Arms in Cambridge, but this first capital addition to his hotel CV is being described as “your eccentric godmother’s Soho townhouse”.
Opening in September, the 57 guest rooms include a penthouse and nine suites, while food and beverage will be operated in partnership with Soho stalwarts, Jamie Poulton and chef Ed Baines, founders of Randall and Aubin. There will be an Italian restaurant with a street terrace and on the upper floor, a cocktail bar wrapping around the rooftop.
