M
y favourite hotels are ones that tell a conceived by award-winning designers RDD plc,
story. The ones that are cleverly themed who have created a bright and comfortable space.
or have a unique and intriguing history Entering via an elegant Portland stone portico,
are invariably the most interesting. Those housed guests are immediately
in former courthouses, banks, prisons or breweries offered intriguing
will always get a mention in GS: quite apart from glimpses, through dark
their architectural interest, they serve the purpose stained timber and glass
of preserving and giving new life to buildings that screens, of the reception,
might otherwise have been neglected or torn down. lounge and study. The
The Arch, on Great Cumberland Place in London, confident mix of bold
doesn’t quite fit into this category - it is in fact made original artwork, sumptuous finishes and elegant,
up of several Georgian style townhouses that have modern and classical furniture begins. Ahead, at the
been knocked through - but what is does have is end of the entrance lobby is a striking two metre
intelligent and sympathetic design and several new tall collage of a smart young woman shopping. It’s
stories to keep guests amused during their stay. The a modern and exciting artwork this nicely sets the
stories are not about the building itself but of its scene for what lies beyond.
concept and design. Take, for example, the name of In the small lounge, a working stone surround
the hotel’s restaurant, HUNter 486. This represents fireplace strikes an immediate note of welcome, revolves around classic glamour and the timeless
the original 1950’s telephone dialling code for the the artwork is humorous and the sofas and chairs values of warm hospitality. The spaces are carefully
Marylebone area. Some of the bedrooms and suites designed to sink into after a busy day in London. blended together, each with their own environment
have also been given unique dialling code names. This is a lounge very much for ‘coming home to’, and each needing to play a different role through
Alternatively, walk along the corridor that links the comfortable and relaxed. Just a few feet away, the day and evening. The space flows harmoniously
reception to the library and notice the 26 framed reception area creates a change in tempo with a with areas carefully delineated by a variety of
black and white photographs: at first glance they’re desk in Nero Portoro marble and a deep-buttoned well-planned features. The bar and restaurant are
simply London architecture taken from unusual upholstered leather front. separated by a semi-circular dining booth that
angles but look closely to discover that each cleverly The study is different again with sumptuous can be cocooned by a shimmering sheer curtain.
depicts a different letter from the alphabet. Even in black and silver hand printed wall covering, bespoke The open side faces a pewter fronted cocktail bar
the bar, the curtained off seating areas that afford red lacquered writing desk and a deep red and specially designed to provide unhindered views of
comfort and privacy were originally conceived with black sofa accented with black and cream geometric the cocktail-making drama.
Madonna in mind. Perhaps, it was thought, local cushions A procession of joyfully contrasting light fittings
neighbours Madonna and husband Guy Richie The cocktail bar, Le Salon de Champagne, leads the eye through the story of the room. In Le
would adopt these VIP booths as their own. Sadly, Kitchen restaurant, and Martini Library form a family Salon, cascading columns of lit glass rods illuminate
and not long before the hotel opened, Madonna of inspired spaces for eating, drinking, meeting and each dining table; in the central Bar area, three large
moved back to America so their destiny was never relaxing. RDD collaborated with bar and restaurant clusters of brosilicate lamps are suspended from a
fulfilled. branding specialists, Gorgeous Group, to create pressed tin ceiling casting an array of light over the
Guests will enjoy this hotel. The interiors were and design this remarkable collection of areas that bronze and mirror detailing of the bar, and, towards
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