Looking for a new excuse to head back to London? Here's a good one: The Rosewood London opened today as Europe's first Rosewood Hotels & Resorts property.
Following an extensive renovation to the 1914 Edwardian Belle Epoque building, the original architectural features—including the Grade II-listed street frontage and dome, and the grand Pavonazzo marble staircase that rises up through all seven stories of the hotel beneath the 166-foot cupola—have all been restored.
Located in Holborn, the hotel has wrought-iron gates that lead to an intimate courtyard. Guests enter through a grand carriageway that leads to a private courtyard. (Because who doesn't want to make a grand entrance?)
And while all of the rooms and suites sound exciting, we're especially intrigued by the Grand Manor House Wing: Accessed via a private elevator and its own street entrance, this is the only hotel suite in the world to have its own postcode. Beyond that, the suite has six bedrooms, a dressing chamber, a library, a dining room and several sitting rooms that spread out over 6,318 square feet of living space.
The Garden House, meanwhile, has a garden terrace overlooking the London skyline while the Chancery House has plenty of old-fashioned grandeur.
Good to know: All guests residing in suites receive access to the hotel’s Manor Club, which offers a personal butler and concierge service as well as a menu of cocktails and light snacks. Cool touch: The hotel’s bar has a roaring fire at one end and wooden bar running along the other. We hear the cocktail list is balanced by a menu of curries and casseroles with spicy Indian dishes and European-style stews. The Holborn Dining Room is scheduled to open in February 2014 and will serve classic British dishes.