Of the several F&B outlets, Burr & Co is a casual space for a meeting over coffee while Fitz’s, designed by Russell Sage, has a part Belle Epoque, part traditional London gentleman’s club feel (depending on which side of the bar you choose) for evening drinks. The new owner, Principal, has retained the former Russell Hotel’s Victorian grandeur including marble columns, mosaic floor tiles and soaring ceilings but the place has been brought firmly into the present with the help of top interior designers including Tara Bernerd who has brought a cool and calming aesthetic to the lobby and guestrooms.Ī Tara Bernerd designed suite at The Principal London This imposing terracotta tiled and turreted mansion on Russell Square first opened as a hotel in 1898 and has just been refurbished and rebranded. Opt for the wine pairings as well – the somm here, Bert Blaize, is Young Sommelier of the Year. While the entire table must order the menu, unusually a succinct three courses are on offer as well as five or seven. Go for the omosake Chef’s Tasting Menu which is a magical mystery tour of clever cooking through Frédéric Peneau’s artfullyexecuted modern European dishes. Jewel in the crown is Serge et le Phoque, first outpost of the Michelin starred Hong Kong restaurant. While the suites at The Mandrake are also dark and theatrical, the Terrace bedrooms open out onto a shared deck lined with living walls of jasmine and passionflowers and overlooking the courtyard below.
Weekly Gong Baths – a meditation class using Tibetan prayer bowls – are particularly popular with locals working in the creative Fitzrovia area, just north of Soho and close to Theatreland. In the basement of this former television production studio, cultural wellbeing classes are held regularly. A monthly changing artist in residency means there’s also a constantly evolving selection of art on show throughout the hotel. Inside, the public areas feature a bounty of fascinating and eclectic artworks and artefacts collected by the owners on their travels. Then there’s the fact that the dramatic tunnel entrance manned by a sharply dressed greeter feels more like a nightclub than a hotel. The first sign that this is no ordinary hotel is the eye catching sculpture in the window. And breakfast is served until an ultra civilised 12pm. In keeping with the Soho House creative rather than corporate ethos, laptops are frowned upon so the place feels more pleasure than business. Purists may rest assured that both the Piano Bar and the Champagne Bar remain (the latter now open to hotel guests only) while the addition of bedrooms means you don’t have far to go after a night cap. Renamed Kettner’s Townhouse, the establishment has been restored to its deliciously decadent glory along with some urbane Soho House touches including Cowshed spa toiletries and fully stocked drinks trolleys. Based next door to the inaugural Soho House private members’ club on Greek Street (rumoured to be the setting for Harry and Meghan’s first date) it’s now a boutique hotel and is open to non House members. Soho institution Kettner’s, one of London’s first French restaurants opened in the 19 th century and frequented by the louche likes of Oscar Wilde, has been bought by the Soho House company. Here’s the best of the most recent batch.
If your appetite for UK travel has been whetted by Harry and Meghan’s wedding, you’ll be pleased to know that the flurry of new and refurbed luxury hotels in London recent years shows no sign of slowing down.
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