HOTEL REVIEW


Bernerd’s knowledge of the area


(her firm is based in Belgravia and formerly occupied an office opposite the hotel) has also played an important part in the design. “Londoners will see it as a local destination and almost use it as their own club,” she says. The previously cramped lobby area was broken out to create a double height entrance, with a staircase in Tuscany honed marble and bronze, and leather topped glass handrail leading up past a neon sign by artists Tim Noble and Sue Webster pointing the way to ‘Mark’s Bar’.


“The biggest challenge was the ceiling heights,” explains Tommy Gymnander of Tara Bernerd & Partners “We had to play a few tricks to make building feel more spacious. The concrete soffits and long sightlines give a loft-like feel.” In the lobby, patterned rugs by Spanish


firm Alarwool rub up against furniture which includes designer pieces from the likes of Autoban, B&B Italia and Classicon alongside one-off vintage pieces and reproductions. The reception desk is a bespoke design consisting of bronze and fluted glass and marble. Lighting includes contemporary designs by Lee Broom and Santa & Cole, as well as old fashioned filament light bulbs. Hix Belgravia is an 80-seat restaurant which


sees Mark Hix offering a a more eclectic menu than that offered at his restaurants in Soho or Clerkenwell, inspired by his travels around the world. Semi circular booths have been cleverly incorporated into the protruding glass façade. A lighter menu is available in the mezzanine level Mark’s Bar, designed in tones of bronze, copper, brass, zinc and tombac, beyond which is an all year round roof-top terrace designed to provide the necessary open space under UK smoking regulations. The design for this semi-enclosed space incorporates a bi-parting retractable roof light and fixed frameless glass roof over the double height extension linking this outside space to the main building. The hotel’s 85 guestrooms feature silver


grey timber floors throughout, a design feature which carries through to the bespoke cabinetry adding warmth to each considered space. All rooms are handsomely decorated with palettes of neutral tones and natural textures. Accents of aubergine, caramel or vermillion on signature walls create a stylish yet warm atmosphere. Marble bathrooms are finished with smoked glass and brass beaded curtains, preserving the modesty of guests who would otherwise be visible through the glazed wall between bathing and sleeping area. Other facilities include private dining or meeting space for up to 22 guests, and gym.


084 MAY / JUNE 2012 WWW.SLEEPERMAGAZINE.COM


ABOVE LEFT: Room designs feature purple velvet seating built into the oriel window nooks ABOVE RIGHT: The entrance staircase is a mixture of Tuscany honed marble and bronze with a leather topped glass handrail and carpeted treads on the stairs


EXPRESS CHECKOUT


Belgraves London 20 Chesham Place, London, UK SW1X 8HQ Tel: +44 (0)20 7858 0100 www.thompsonhotels.com


„ 85 guestrooms and suites ‰ Hix Belgravia  Mark’s Bar [ Fitness Centre + Two meeting rooms, outdoor terrace


Owner: Harilela Hotels Operator: Thompson Hotels Interior Design: Tara Bernerd & Partners Architects: EPR Architects Project Management: Jones Lang LaSalle Lighting Design: Isometrix Quantity Surveyor: Gleeds Consulting Engineers: Norman Disney Young, Pell Frishmann Contractor: Overbury


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