P L A C E S / H O T H O T E L S
Top 5 HOTELS: London
WITH SUMPTUOUS ROOMS, ULTRA-CHIC DINING AND SULTRY LOUNGE BARS, THESE GLAMOROUS LONDON HOTELS HAVE SO MUCH TO OFFER THAT YOU NEVER HAVE TO LEAVE.
1. The London EDITION
For Ian Schrager, The London Edition marks the realisation of a dream more than 15 years in the making. It was during his first foray into the London hotel scene that Schrager spotted the former Berners Hotel, set across a row of five Georgian townhouses in the leafy Fitzrovia district, that once welcomed guests that included Edward VII and Fabergé. Fast forward 15 years, and Schrager has put the magic back into Berners Street, creating a cutting-edge cool sanctuary for the jet-set crowd. The sultry interiors showcase stunning restored stucco ceilings, marble staircases, wood-panelled bedrooms and highly attentive service. The hotel's social scene is also a major drawcard in its own right: Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton helms the smash-hit Berners Tavern restaurant with its breathtaking art-filled dining room, and the cosy and seductive ground floor cocktail bar serves the city's finest expertly-crafted punches.
10 Berners Street, London W1T 3NP, United Kingdom
+44 20 7781 0000 | editionhotels.com/london
2. Chiltern Firehouse
Home to an ever-changing constellation of stars, the Chiltern Firehouse has garnered an almost mythical reputation since opening its doors in 2014. It’s hard to know which of the Chiltern’s charms is more talked about: the legendary hotelier behind the venue, André Balazs; its A-list clientele – Kate Moss is a regular, U2 has a preferred table, and Bill Clinton once took to the custom-made DJ decks; its gorgeous Victorian architecture; or its fabulous restaurant by celebrated chef, Nuno Mendes. Retaining an ultra-exclusive, secret-society-style atmosphere where it's almost impossible to gain entry, the Chiltern Firehouse is home to 26 alluring boutique guest rooms which are accessed through corridors perfumed with Azzi Glasser fragrances. How can anyone resist a vintage telephone with the invitation to “Dial 0 for anything”?
1 Chiltern Street, Marleybone, London W1U 7PA
+44 20 7073 7676 | chilternfirehouse.com
3. Ham Yard Hotel
Nestled on a leafy square in Picadilly Circus, the Ham Yard Hotel is an urban Eden in a city where space is a precious commodity. Part of the Firmdale Hotel Group portfolio, the hotel's unassuming facade barely contains the riot of colour within. Expect eye-popping prints and bespoke furnishings brought to fever pitch by designer Kit Kemp's signature interior aesthetic. Rich, textured and endlessly fun, Kemp’s eclectic energy fills every corner: from the antiques in the well-stocked library, to the bright orange leather seats in the 190-seat cinema. On the rooftop, a garden of olive trees and lavender awaits, and in the basement, make sure to visit the 1950s bowling alley imported from Texas. This isn’t just a hotel – it’s an urban village in the heart of London.
1 Ham Yard, London W1D 7DT, United Kingdom
+44 20 3642 2000 | firmdalehotels.com
4. Rosewood London
Delivering the signature understated opulence of the luxurious Rosewood Group, this High Holborn address is a sign of things to come in the London neighbourhood increasingly known as "Midtown". An original marble staircase sweeps upwards through seven floors of this grand Edwardian building, where an £85 million refurbishment has given its Belle Epoque interiors a modern update. The glamour here is palpable, yet guests will immediately feel at home, where they can enjoy fireside cocktails in the Scarfe Bar, followed by dinner at the Holborn Dining Room that serves refined British cuisine in a brasserie setting. The Grand Manor House Wing sets the bar for luxury suites in London with 6,000 square feet of living space, and even boasts its own postcode.
252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN, United Kingdom
+44 20 7829 9888 | rosewoodhotels.com
5. Escape: The Cotswolds
Nestled amongst 55 acres of lush, verdant countryside in Britain's stunning The Cotswolds region, the stately Cowley Manor lashes out doses of fresh air and relaxation, and is only two hours drive from London. With its roots buried in a steep history that saw it shuffled between aristocrats and wealthy merchants, this 17th-century Italianate countryside escape was lovingly refurbished by its owners, Peter and Jessica Frankopan (founders of A Curious Group of Hotels), who spent three years restoring the estate to its former glory. The spacious bedrooms are fitted with colourful contemporary furnishings custom-made by British designers. Don’t miss a relaxing swim in the heated swimming pool or a massage at the in-house spa, featuring the Green & Spring natural beauty range which was created by the hotel’s owners using locally-sourced ingredients.
Cowley, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 9NL
+44 12 4287 0900 | cowleymanor.com
Article first published in RedVisitor Magazine: Issue Two - Purchase Now
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