GETAWAYS photos © Nikolas Koenig
New York sophistication, boutique hotel cool, and unmistakable London charm …
WELCOME TO THE LONDON EDITION
BY SAMANTHA READY
IT WAS A REVELATION TO TURN OFF OF THE BUSTLE OF LONDON’ S OXFORD STREET INTO BERNER’ S STREET, HOME TO THE LONDON EDITION AND ITS AWARD-WINNING BERNER’ S TAVERN RESTAURANT.
Your eye is first captured by the unmistakable London architecture of the historic Fitzrovia building with its dominating arched windows, imposing columns and sculptures which then give way to the sleek modern entrance, opened by the ever-attentive doormen.
The hotel epiphany continues as you enter the lobby: huge marble columns, intimate seating areas, sleek lounge bar offering, some quite frankly epic cocktails by Davide Segat, restored moulded ceilings, original artwork, a 20ft Chesterfield sofa, snooker table( I know right?!) and not forgetting the giant stainless steel orb, designed by Ingo Maurer, that hangs pride of place from the double height ceilings allowing the most interesting people-watching perspective ever. Designed by hipster hotel maker and inventor of the boutique hotel Ian Schrager, it is like a paradise of eclectic wonders.
Check in – at the wood-paneled reception adorned with a full-size reproduction Louis XV Gobeline tapestry from 1773, yet next to a huge contemporary purple lit infinity mirror – was swift; the concierge team immediately on hand to show us to our room and enlighten us with information about all of the hotel’ s facilities including Punch Room, the hotel’ s reservation-only hidden watering hole. Reminiscent of an old fashioned gentlemen’ s club, it’ s all dark oak walls, buttoned leather chairs and famed punchbowl cocktails – it is no longer London’ s best kept drinking secret and should be on your must-visit list.
Rooms, of which there are 173, come complete with oak floors, wood-paneled walls in either dark walnut or light oak to provide your own London private yacht inspired‘ cabin’, contemporary bathrooms( although only 24 actually have a bath!) and an inspired mini bar complete your bedroom haven. The king beds were comfortable, the pillows plump and unexpectedly from a room overlooking the heart of Fitzrovia, it was quiet and calm for a great night’ s sleep.
In the morning, we headed to breakfast at Berners Tavern, presided over by Michelin starred chef Jason Atherton. The dining room is quite simply amazing – original moulded ceilings, walls filled with a diverse range of framed artworks, the iconic floor-to-ceiling bar, and a range of intimate dining tables and booths humming with the eclectic mix of hotel guests, business breakfasts and ladies that brunch – and that’ s without even mentioning the menu!
Easily displayed under the headings Smoothies, Juices, Tea, Sweet, Savoury, On Toast, Eggs and Sides, the decision about what to have wasn’ t so simple, especially when each tray went past to an adjacent table heaving with a different tempting treat.
My guest settled on the curly kale, apple, cucumber and lime juice( which seemed to be the breakfast de rigueur across the dining room) followed by the avocado and poached eggs on toast, which was met with pleasant murmurs of happiness and an air of health conscious one upmanship as I happily devoured my slightly less healthy option of the buttermilk pancakes( super generous and perfectly light) swapping the Nutella and banana option for bacon and maple syrup.
Although to be honest, I’ m sure we could have chosen anything off the menu and been delighted – we have vowed to return for dinner soon!
Departing back to the noise of the city we were still taking in the charms and allure of each and every space we encountered, yes a £ 33mil refurbishment can buy you sophistication, but the team and vibe make this place priceless.
The London EDITION 10 Berners Street London W1T 3NP www. editionhotels. com / london 0207 781 0000
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