ou may think that London already has too many hotels, but think again! There have been some recent new openings in the MICE market.
Here are a few as well as some others which are much further down the line but something to keep an eye out for.
The Dixon, Tower Bridge, London
You may have missed this one as this hotel opened just before 2019. The Dixon, part of the Marriott Autograph portfolio is in a building that dates from 1906 and which used to be the Tower Bridge Magistrates Court. Its 193 rooms and suites, lounges and restaurant enjoy an edgy, eclectic design aesthetic and a boutique vibe. It has two meeting rooms, the largest is the Chambers having a capacity of 50 people theatre or reception style.
Vintry and Mercer Hotel
Vintry and Mercer Hotel, a member of Small Luxury Hotels, opened its doors on Monday 4th Feb. It is situated in the City, the nearest tube being Mansion House.
This boutique hotel has 92 bedrooms and 3 main conference/event spaces. The Library is the largest of the rooms with a capacity of 26 seated, 35 standing. The Drawing Room, next door to the Library, can hold up to 10 seated and combined with the Library has a capacity for approx. 50 for a reception.
There are 3 different food & beverage eateries in the hotel. The Vintry Kitchen on the ground floor is an Asian tapas restaurant. Wine, as one would expect based on the history of the local area (close to the hotel, merchant sailors landing from Bordeaux used to store their wines) is a key feature. Wine can be tapped straight from the large barrels lining the gantry. The Mercer Roof Terrace is the main hotel restaurant with floor-to-ceiling glass doors allowing diners to take in London’s skyline, from the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral to The Shard. This space is available for breakfast events up to 11am. The final F&B space is Do Not Disturb (DND) a cocktail bar in the hotel basement. A highlight is the hand-beaded images of Ziegfeld Follies girls which line the walls!! DND has its own entrance on Garlick Hill.
The bedrooms have warm bold colours of the rooms with velvet curtains and headboards, historic navigation maps, and palm leaf wall-coverings. The Deluxe Studios have great views of the city, either from external balconies or through floor-to-ceiling windows.
The Stratford (Manhattan Loft Gardens) – due to open in April 2019
Looking for something a little unique? The Stratford is 150-room hotel which occupies the six lower levels of the 42 storey Manhattan Loft Gardens in this iconic East London setting. The striking double-cantilevered tower has been designed by architects SOM who were also behind the Burj Khalifa and One World Trade Centre. The mixed used development comes with three ‘sky gardens’, one on the 7th floor, a second on the 25th and a third on the 36th floor ensuring that residents are never more than nine stories from an outdoor space. Sharing the use of communal spaces with residents of the 34 storey tower above, hotel guests have access to a swimming pool, spa facilities, daily yoga classes, meeting and conference spaces as well as an external roof garden that overlooks the Olympic Park. Restaurant offerings include Allegra on the seventh floor from ex-Chiltern Firehouse chef Patrick Powell and the ground-floor brasserie from Ben Harrington, formerly of Soho House.
Located at mezzanine level, The Stratford will have four event studios equipped with 5G Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, digital projectors for Mac and PC and multi-zone audio and portable projection screens.
The Hard Rock Hotel – due to open in Spring 2019
Want to stay in a cool hotel in London? Experience the unforgettable at the Hard Rock Hotel in London. Formerly the Cumberland Hotel, the bedrooms and suites are said to” boast benefits for mind and body” from the bedding and indulgent Rock Spa bath and shower amenities to enviable in-room entertainment collections and top-tier service.
There will be two broad room categories, deluxe or Rock Royalty! Each room pays tribute to former residents such as Jimi Hendrix, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan and Buddy Holly with an incredible memorabilia collection and original artwork in every bedroom.
The hotel will feature (what else!!) but a Hard Rock Café, a lobby bar and cocktail bar. On offer will be indulgent bar bites, signature cocktails, craft beers and fresh, handmade, classic American cooking served with a modern British twist.
So, whether you’re ready to rock London’s nightlife or host that all-important business meeting you’ll find everything you need – because, in the end, everyone wants to be treated like a rock star!
The Great Scotland Yard Hotel – due to open Summer 2019
The iconic building of the historic London Metropolitan police station, Great Scotland Yard Hotel is currently being developed into a luxury lifestyle hotel and will be the first hotel in the U.K. in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand and is due to open on 1 July.
It will be the first UK hotel to join Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, a collection of upper-upscale and luxury, individual properties. The historical character of the Grade II-listed, built in 1910, has been preserved throughout the renovation, including the original façade. Once open, the hotel will feature “sophisticated” food and beverage outlets. It will have 153 bedrooms.
The Biltmore, Mayfair
The Biltmore, Mayfair Hotel is a 5-star luxury hotel in the Mayfair area of London, near the former Embassy of the United States. The hotel was formerly known as the Millennium Hotel London Mayfair. The name “Biltmore, Mayfair” derives from another property in the owner’s portfolio of hotels (the Biltmore, Los Angeles has been host to a number of high profile events including the Oscars and Academy Awards!).
The Biltmore Hotel Ballroom at almost 500sqm will be the centre of the hotel’s meetings and events space. Along with the Ballroom and Ballroom Foyer, there will be 3 smaller meeting rooms.
The anticipated opening date is 1st June and will be managed by Hilton.
The Londoner
Finally, looking way forward, The Londoner, located on Leicester Square, is due to open in 2020 and will be operated by Radisson Edwardian. This 5 star, 15 level hotel is set to transform London’s hospitality scene. The Londoner is said to have 350 bedrooms and 15 suites, five concept restaurants and lounges including a rooftop bar which will no doubt be quite something, a state-of-the-art ballroom for up to 1000 guests plus two new Odeon Luxe cinemas and a unique subterranean bar.