Luxe Latest from London

Summer is winding down and we say there is no better time than Fall across the pond. We’ve taken a look at the latest news coming out of London this summer. Here’s what we have to report.

Mondrian London Announces Restaurant & Bar Menus

Mondrian London at Sea Containers, the first ever Mondrian branded boutique hotel outside of the United States, is set to open on September 30. Designed by Tom Dixon, the new hotel will also be home to ‘Sea Containers,’ a restaurant with New York chef Seamus Mullen, and ‘Dandelyan,’ a seasonal cocktail bar with Ryan Chetiyawardana. 
 
Sea Containers restaurant sits on the ground floor of Mondrian London alongside Dandelyan, with an open kitchen and visible wood-fired oven. The ‘farm to table’ movement is integral to the Sea Containers kitchen and its menu; produce is carefully sourced from organic farmers and Fair Trade cooperatives from around the UK and the Continent.

The cocktails served at Sea Containers are designed to complement the menu with highlights including: Sea Co Spritz, peach brandy, white wine, pea shoots, soda, and Spotless Martini, Mr Lyan gin, vermouth, distilled lemon, distilled olive.

Dandelyan Bar will have a grand green marble bar running the length of the room with brushed gold and brass accents. Dandelyan sits on the ground floor of Mondrian London and looks out over the River Thames.
 

The Stafford London Joins Preferred Hotel Group

As of September 10, The Stafford London, previously a member of Kempinski, will be a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. 

The hotel will receive a combination of strategic sales, marketing, distribution and technology solutions as a part of the group. Travelers who visit the property will be eligible to enroll in the iPrefer guest loyalty program, which extends points redeemable for cash-value Reward Certificates, elite status and special benefits such as complimentary Internet to members upon every stay at more than 500 locations worldwide. 

In addition, The Stafford London is announcing the sales affiliations for East and West coast of the US. On the East Coast, the hotel has partnered with Wegner Associates Inc., a New York-based hotel representation company. In the West Coast and Texas, the hotel is represented by JH Travel Marketing headed by Joanna Heathcote, who has been associated with The Stafford London since 1994. 

 

London's Shangri-La at the Shard Gets New Skypool

Looking for a way to unwind high above London? At the new Shangri-La Hotel at the Shard, a new infinity Skypool has opened 52 stories above ground level at the Gŏng bar. Even cooler? This pool is the highest in Western Europe. 

During the day, the Skypool is peaceful and quiet, but at sunset the separation screens are drawn backand it becomes a unique addition to London’s highest bar, Gŏng. Facing west across the city, the 36- by 13-foot heated pool has top views of St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye and Westminster. 

From 8:30 p.m. onwards, Gŏng guests can relax poolside while they sip on signature drinks from the cocktail bar (we hear the Bermondsey Bubbles—Jensen’s Dry Bermondsey Gin, Rose liqueur, Creole Bitters and champagne—or the Black and Blue Swizzle—Talisker, honey, lime, PX sherry and blue cheese—are good picks). Champagne fans can choose from a wide selection of bubbly—from rare grower varieties up to the ultimate Grand Marques. Gourmands can try bar snacks like Cornish crab, foie gras, and a selection of caviar. Bonus: The 30-cover poolside area can also be booked exclusively for a sky-high party. 

Designed by Andre Fu of AFSO, Gŏng is inspired by the mythical aspect of ‘dou-gong’ – a series of interlocking brackets that are used extensively in historical Chinese architecture. Combining traditional Eastern design with modern Western glamour, an oversized "paint scroll" measuring 50 feet in length floats above the Skypool.

 

Brown's Hotel Launches Weekly Art Tours of Mayfair

This sounds like a great way to go behind the scenes of London's art world: Brown’s Hotel is now hosting exclusive Saturday morning art tours through Mayfair's leading galleries. 

The tour begins at Brown’s, where visitors can see notable works from artists including Tracey Emin, Mat Collishaw, and Bridget Riley. From the hotel, guests will head to Albemarle Gallery, Andrew Clayton Payne, The Belgravia Gallery, Ben Brown Fine Arts, Browse and Darby, Connaught Brown, Faggionato Fine Art, Gallery of African Art, Gazelli Art House, Hall Master Paintings, Isaac and Ede, The John Martin Gallery, John Mitchell Fine Paintings, and others, with a different art expert leading the group each week. 

The tours are open to the public and include coffee/tea in The Library at Brown’s Hotel, a tour of four Mayfair galleries and a three-course lunch at HIX Mayfair. 

Important: The tour is limited to eight guests and advance booking is recommended. For additional details, visit www.brownshotel.com.

 

Corinthia Hotel London Joins Virtuoso Network

Corinthia Hotel London and Virtuoso member agencies have been collaborating since the hotel’s 2011 opening. Today, the hotel has made the partnership official by joining  the Virtuoso Hotels and Resorts Program. This agreement is set to provide increased and strategic visibility and marketing opportunities for Corinthia London in North America as well as in the rapidly growing Australian and South American markets.

Virtuoso’s member travel agencies generate more than $12.5 billion annually in travel sales, making the group the most powerful luxury travel network. Virtuoso comprises 341 agencies, with more than 8,900 elite travel specialists in 20 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, as well as over 1,700 of the world’s best travel providers and premier destinations. Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts program, which to date consists of more than 1,000 hotel properties in 90 countries, provide the network’s affluent clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. 

So how will this partnership help guests whose advisors are part of the Virtuoso consortia? In addition to daily English breakfast and an upgrade (subject to availability), guests at the hotel will also get a £85 hotel credit, which can be used in The Northall Restaurant, The Northall Bar, Massimo Restaurant and Oyster Bar, Bassoon, The Lobby Lounge and ESPA Life at Corinthia.

In a statement, Matthew Dixon, general manager of Corinthia London, said that the partnership was one of the hotel's pre-opening goals. 

For more information on Corinthia Hotel London, visit www.corinthia.com/hotels/london.