With its reputation for cutting-edge fashion, architecture and art, it’s no surprise London is home to some of the coolest design led hotels in the world. Here’s our pick of the top 5 London hotels where the surroundings are as impressive as the service:
Sanderson
A hidden gem in the West End, the Sanderson London hotel’s a fascinating mix of surreal, stylish and sophisticated. Where else could you find Salvador Dali’s iconic red lips sofa alongside classic 1960s mosaics and handcrafted African furniture? The 1950s building that houses the 5 star hotel was transformed into a stunning, dreamlike world by renowned French designer Philippe Starck. Another design highlight is Philip Hicks’ open-air Courtyard Garden, a private area bursting with lush vegetation, fountains, mosaics and a reflecting pool.
Charlotte Street Hotel
A stay at the delightful Charlotte Street Hotel London, located just north of Soho, is a must for literary and artistic types visiting London. Inspired by the legendary ‘Bloomsbury set’, a 20th century group of artists and writers that included Virginia Woolf, interior designer Kit Kemp has introduced original art from the group’s own illustrious artists, Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant and Roger Fry. Their fascination with Matisse and other colourful French painters meanwhile forms the basis for the drawing rooms, while the artistic theme continues in the brasserie with a mural of contemporary London life.
The Zetter
In a former life, this stylish boutique hotel in east London was a Victorian warehouse. Renovated by restaurateurs Michael Benyan and Mark Sainsbury, The Zetter opened in 2004 to instant acclaim and was voted one of the world’s 50 coolest hotels by Conde Nast Traveller. Each of the London hotel’s 59 rooms including the plush roof top pad is individually designed using a mixture of vintage and modern. The attention to detail and design continues throughout the hotel and into the adjoining Bistrot Bruno Loubet and Atrium Bar. Each room comes equipped with state of the art in room entertainment but, the more you spend, the more you get!
St Martin’s Lane
Taking inspiration from its theatrical surroundings, St Martins Lane hotel is a dramatic addition to London’s West End. Located in Covent Garden, the snappy design combines the modern and baroque with a playful sense of humour. From the oversized luminescent yellow glass revolving doors as you enter the hotel to the jam packed art columns of the Asia de Cuba restaurant, there’s plenty of eye candy to feast on. While for those who want to express their creativity, many of the London hotel’s rooms include a unique light installation with a colour to reflect your every mood.
The Mandeville
Located in London’s fashionable Marylebone Village, The Mandeville Hotel recently underwent a 15 million pound refurbishment. Interior designer Stephen Ryan has given the London hotel’s public areas a fresh, modern twist with French upholstered walling, Venetian masks, witty paintings and neon lights. Meanwhile in the bedrooms, the marriage of classic and contemporary continues with luxurious fabrics from leading design houses such as Canovas, Zubor Catherine Huntley and Brunswick. The hotel offers two types of afternoon tea; the usual and one just for men with different menus but the same price.
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