|
The Place:
Soho Hotel
Who's Going:
Liam Gallagher (remember Oasis?), Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lopez
Reason to Stay:
Architectural Design, Beach Club, Residential Setting
Hotel Type: City Hotel
The Scene:
Along a humble mews in London's buzzing Soho, guests arrive through a glass-enclosed lobby presided-over by a smirking 10-foot bronze kitty by Botero. This latest escalation in boutique hotels is conceptualized by interior-designer Kit Kemps, co-owner of Covent Garden and Charlotte Street Hotels, who creates a comfortably luxurious environment out of this former-industrial car park. A long-wooden check-in counter features dressed-up staff and old-fashioned wall of cubbyholes with oversized room keys and guest mail. The décor is decidedly modern with a feminine touch; namely the art is pretty, furniture comfortable, and walls rich in color and texture for which the designer is known. The lobby area features Refuel restaurant and a be-seen lobby bar, currently the address du-jour for London's faux-hawk entertainment types. On any given evening, guests can nurse a Soho Passion-cocktail and watch as guests like David Schwimmer and Charlize Theron skip-out from the hotel's penthouse apartments to their various productions in the West End. Yes, they even walk. The basement includes a separate membership-only media club with screening room and private bar, in addition to a well-equipped fitness center with two-room spa.
The Room:
Two-small elevators lead to glossy-painted corridors not intended for side-by-side walking. Pastel-colored room keys open pretty, difficult-to-unlock wooden doors closing with a hearty-thump, into thick-carpeted rooms with muted-colored walls and floral-patterned upholstery. Depending on the guest room, Kit Kemps signature headless dressing-form (think Gaultier) adorns either a desktop or vacant room corner or window. The larger version works well for evening wardrobe planning. Warehouse-style windows overlook the surrounding neighborhood, even offering the occasional naked neighbor. Fluffy beds with high-count Italian linens feature Victorian-canopies or tufted headboard. The bathrooms are wall-to-wall granite with rain shower, the occasional soaking tub and large-size Miller Harris products worthy of stashing. The room service menu includes two-handed burgers, filets and an American breakfast that is surprisingly affordable, especially for the UK. Be sure to grab the Soho Hotel CD, a collection of groovy lounge music perfect for sexy dinner parties.
Other Useful Information
Preferred Room: Junior Suite
Special Features: Two-Bedroom Apartments, Nightlife Hotspot, Designer Hotel
Amenities: Restaurant, Spa, Media Club, Screening Room Lounge, Fitness Center
» Book the guaranteed best rate.
: Soho Hotel
| 
.jpg)
