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With four previous
hotel successes behind her, the formula is pretty well set - 'fresh modern
English style'.
Evolving style
But it's a formula which is constantly tweaked and the Charlotte Street
Hotel captures the essence of eclectic contemporary living, albeit with
a nod to the decorative arts of the neighbouring Bloomsbury Group active
some 70 years ago. Original Duncan Grant, Vanessa Bell and Stephen Fry
paintings, their trademark painted lampshades and furniture are evident
but not overdone throughout the hotel.
A stronger statement
are the huge murals in Oscars Brasserie painted in the Bloomsbury style
but depicting contemporary life. We wonder why it isn't called Duncans,
Grants, Vanessas or Bells.
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attraction
Formerly
a dental warehouse where the modelmaking team from nearby architects
Building Design Partnership would buy dental compound to craft landscapes,
Firmdale Hotels seized the opportunity of acquiring the building
to create a hotel designed to appeal to and facilitate the local
media and entertainment industry. The state of the art screening
room with plush lipstick red leather armchairs is just one attraction.
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Click on the image above to walk past the Reception
fireplace into the Drawing Room, through to the Library and back to Reception
In sharp contrast to the harder edged highly contemporary breed of designer
hotels, the Charlotte Street Hotel is a 'celebrity hotel' with a real
comfort factor within the wow factor, attracting an international media,
fashion and entertainment clientele.
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For a 52 bedroom
hotel the expansive reception may seem to be a waste of revenue-making
space but it's a sacrifice which makes sense in terms of endorsing the
character of the hotel.
Worth staying
in
The aim of keeping guests' spend in the hotel by providing them with a
good restaurant rarely works, especially in London. Oscars however does
work in this respect. It also works as a stand alone restaurant which
can hold its own amongst the many in Charlotte Street.
The Drawing Room
and Library are havens - for guests only - from the very public spaces
of the brasserie and reception. Apart from the style and spaciousness,
a winning feature of the comfort factor here is the Honesty Bar. No more
waiting for the drink you ordered half an hour ago, and long forgotten.
How do you dream
up individual schemes for 52 bedrooms? The same degree of imagination
and individuality as in the public areas has been extended to all bedrooms.
All rooms meet the expectations and needs of today's business traveller
- although it's not just business travellers who now rely on electronic
communication facilities.
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