As we approach the 3rd month of 2021, we’re filled with renewed hope and optimism for normalcy to arrive valiantly, so whilst we begin to look forward to getaways and staycations alike here’s a list of the top new luxury hotel openings in London that should be on your radar, and if they’re not yet, then you’re welcome. From what’s been hailed ‘the world’s first super boutique hotel’, to a refurbished magistrates court, these are the 5 hotels you need to visit when they (hopefully) open in London this year, and two honourable mentions for their delayed openings and impressively over the top renovations – yes, a £100 million ‘spruce-up’ really is a thing…
The NoMad London (@thenomadhotel)
Still sporting an ‘open 2021’ sign on its social media and website – The NoMad London is one of the most highly anticipated hotel openings in the city this year. Previously scheduled to open in December 2020, the pandemic delayed this grand debut and as February passes, we can only patiently await further updates on its new April 13th opening. Marking its hotel debut outside of the US, The NoMad will be taking residence in the historic, grade II listed building famously known as the Bow Street Magistrates’ and Police Station and is bringing NYC’s cool and eclectic designs to London’s Covent Garden. Led by the Sydell Group, in collaboration with interior firm Roman & Williams, the iconic building will be transformed into the 91-room marvel with many of the original architectural features woven into its new design which is said to explore the artistic and cultural connection between London & New York. Featuring the breath-taking all-day-dining Nomad Restaurant housed within its atrium which is described as being “reminiscent of an Edwardian Greenhouse”, as with NoMad New York, LA & Las Vegas, this will be under the direction of world-renowned chef Daniel Humm, and restauranteur Will Guidara.
When: Accepting Reservations from April 13th, 2021 (subject to change)
Prices: From £364 per night (ex. fees & taxes)
Pan Pacific London (@panpacificlondon)
Described as “a new statement of indulgence” and “the epitome of modern luxury” in the heart of London city, the long-awaited 237-room Pan Pacific London hotel boasts the winning integration of modern design, with the comfort of Asian hospitality. Set to open in Spring 2021 (date yet to be announced) and marking the group’s first entry into Europe, the hotel’s interior will be a modern urban retreat with Singaporean authenticities, designed by creative duo George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg (credits: W Hotel – New York, St Regis – San Francisco), and will be housed in the centrally located Bishopsgate plaza, near the thriving Liverpool Street Station. Doubling as a central hub and workspace, this hotel is made to attract city workers and urban explorers alike and will be one of the first mixed-use developments in the city with a 24-hour, full access destination for meeting, living, entertainment and work. And for dining? It’s been reported that the brand has so far hired an all-female team with Singapore-born pastry chef Cherish Finden and British executive chef Lorraine Sinclair overseeing the inhouse restaurants, Straits Kitchen (the hotel’s main offering) and the Ginger Lily bar – both serving Asian cuisine and cocktails.
When: Spring 2021
Prices: TBC
Hôtel Costes (@hotelcostes)
Ideal for hedonistic hangouts, Hôtels Costes’ new London offering is set to become the playground for the who’s who of the city, similar to that of its sister hotel and infamous Parisian dwelling. With construction currently underway to its One Sloane Gardens location, the 40-room hotel is set to be one of unrivalled opulence, French charm, and luxury at every turn. As Jean-Louis Costes first outpost outside of France, many of the plans are being kept top secret, and little is known about the project, but we’re excited to know if the interior design remains to be undertaken by none other than the well-known Jacques Garcia (responsible for the indulgent style of Paris’ location), or if the brand will employ a new name to its design helm. As rumours have it, this London team will also include some well-respected Parisienne gastronomic pioneers – bringing a full French invasion to this quintessential Victorian building it’ll inhibit. We’re eagerly awaiting some more indication of what’s to be expected from this new opening, but what we do know is that it is to reflect “the enduring principles of elegance and individual spirit — capturing the best of the cultural and social milieu of the property’s location and moment in time”.
When: Spring 2021
Prices: TBC
The Londoner (@thelondoner)
Dubbed “the capitals most talked-about new hotel” by BA High Life and is self-proclaimed as London’s “super boutique hotel”, after delays pushing back the summer 2020 initial opening date, the highly awaited hotel is now set to open April 2021. Located in London’s Leicester Square, the Edwardian Hotels branded residence will host 350 rooms and 35 suites across its 16 storeys “all with their own unique view of London”, and will feature two new Odeon Luxe cinemas, top-of-the-range subterranean spa facilities, hair and nail salon, barbershop a 1,000-capacity ballroom, with six dining venues – one being a ground-floor tavern, and a contemporary Japanese lounge bar with rooftop terrace. With exclusivity at its helm, the hotel will boast a private ‘members only’ area for hotel guests, known as The Residence, which aims to extend the hotels experience beyond the comforts of the bedroom and includes The Drawing Room – where patrons can unwind in a zen, lounge-type space, Y Bar – perfect for socialising with cocktails and light bites, and The Whisky Room – found at the end of a secret passage through the restrooms into an intimate 14-cover parlour.
When: Accepting Reservations from March 22nd, 2021 (subject to change)
Prices: From £409 per night (inc. fees & taxes)
The Broadwick Soho
The final hotel we’re eagerly awaiting the opening of in Autumn 2021 is that of The Broadwick Hotel in London’s bustling Soho. Designed by Martin Brundnizki – who’s graced the head of interiors for famed venues such as the uber-exclusive Annabel’s member’s club in London, The Bellagio restaurant, Las Vegas, and Le Chardenoux in Paris, to name but a few; Soho’s newest dwelling is described as “your eccentric godmother’s Soho townhouse”, which can only be attributed to Brudnizki’s adventurous eye as well as inspiration taken “from the gritty glamour, but also eclectic and diverse history of Soho”. The boutique hotel is offering 57 “residential feeling” rooms, nine suites and a penthouse, and is situated in a prime central London location between Broadwick and Berwick Street, and is said that its rooms (many of with offer private balconies) overlook the lively happenings below. For dinging and amenities, Randall and Aubin’s founders, Jamie Poulton and Ed Baines are stated to overlook the dining which will include a street-level Italian restaurant and rooftop bar.
When: September 2021
Prices: From £350 per night (inc. fees & taxes)
Honourable mentions for hotels that opened last year, and due to restrictions will be reopening in 2021 go to:
Nobu Hotel, Portman Square (@nobulondonportman)
Who isn’t already in love with the Nobu group? The brands second offering to London was originally scheduled to open in July 2020, was temporarily pushed back to December, and now simply states on its socials and website that it’ll be “reopening 2021”, as it (and the rest of the hospitality world) awaits further information on the easing of lockdown restrictions in London. With 249 glorious rooms to choose from in the Portman Square area of London, the hotel is housed in the former Raddison Blu’s space and hosts wellness facilities (for all that post-lockdown unwinding), Nobu bar and roof terrace, the ground-floor Instagram-worthy Lounge, and 600-capacity ballroom all in its stylish ultra-modern Japanese inspired interior. For dining options, it would only be right that the hotel’s namesake restaurant be on site, with the closure of the Berkley Square location being rehoused to Portman Square.
Reopening: Early 2021
Prices: From £395 per night (inc. fees & taxes)
The Carlton Tower Jumeirah (@thecarltontowerjumeirah)
If you want to see what a £100 million renovation will look like, then look no further. Boasting an already affluent history, The Carlton Jumeirah in Knightsbridge this year will reveal to us it’s biggest (and most expensive) transformation and will be reopening its doors with a fresh new look, 186 rooms and a contemporary uplift whilst maintaining its heritage in a design described as “iconic heritage meeting modern sensibility”. Nestled in the comforts of Cadogan Square, the hotel has private access to Cadogan Gardens’ square which its lucky guests can frequent in, or gaze over from each suite’s private balcony. Setting the standard for opulence, the revamped space will include a three-floor fitness club and spa which will feature a new Talise spa and London’s largest pool (reaching an impressive 20m in length). There will be two main dining options on-site; The Chinoiserie – a relaxing all-day eatery serving international favourites and afternoon tea, and Al Mare which serves modern Mediterranean cuisine and is run by Executive Chef Marco Calenzo.
Reopening: Spring 2021
Prices: From £536 per night (inc. fees & taxes)
