Paying homage to great British traditions, The London EDITION brings lasting comfort to its guests with extraordinary style and an exceptional level of service in the heart of the city.
–
by Rizky Adityo
Situated on Berner’s Street, occupying a prime spot that is just a seven-minute walk from Oxford Circus underground station, The London EDITION delivers a seamless mix of appeal and ease by carefully combining the integrity and character of a historic structure with a simple, smart design sensibility. With 173 rooms, a restaurant, two bars, meeting rooms and a buzzing lobby, the hotel offers a dynamic social hub where guests can work, relax, socialise and dine all under one roof.
Masterminded by Ian Schrager, who is famously known as the owner of Studio 54 in New York, the design-led hotel preserves the finest aspects of the historic building but reinvents the spaces within to create a dynamic fusion of old and new, past and present. This leads to a look and feel that is impossible to define or categorise and cannot be pigeonholed into a certain period or appearance.
Originally built in 1835 as five luxurious townhouses, the architecture still shows the Georgian hallmarks that characterise London’s finest residences. The buildings were combined to form Berners Hotel in 1908 at the height of the grandeur of the Edwardian era. The opulent interiors are outstanding Grade II-listed examples of Belle Époque extravagance at its finest, elaborately furnished with marble and intricately carved ceilings. The location, in the heart of Fitzrovia, is within walking distance of the most coveted areas and shopper’s paradise, including Selfridges and more.
The hotel lobby is an atrium adorned with variegated marble across walls, floor and corner bar, all original to the hotel and painstakingly restored. In Ian Schrager’s eyes, the lobby has evolved beyond the idea of lobby socialising, a concept he invented when opening the Royalton in New York back in 1988. Here, the lobby is also a bar with a stunning art piece by Ingo Mauer dangling over the entrance.
Away from the public spaces, the chalet-style rooms are delightful havens of comfort. Each is panelled in either dark walnut or light oak, subtly lit and furnished with tactile textiles, while the gorgeous white bathrooms are fitted with rain showers and customised Le Labo amenities. Fully equipped with the latest technology, the hotel ensures everyone’s comfort and convenience.
Dining is also a delightful affair at The London EDITION. Berners Tavern is a gastronomic gem under the direction of Michelin-starred Executive Chef Jason Atherton, who puts a twist on traditional British cuisine. Furnished with banquette-style seating in chestnut mohair and taupe leather, there is a Parisian feeling to this restaurant. Nestled at the back of the hotel is the Punch Room, a fumed-oak panelled den inspired by the comfort of English country manor house libraries and London’s 19th century private clubs. This is the hotel’s modern reincarnation, a cocktail bar without a bar, where every drink is served on a silver tray by staff dedicated to the guests. Designed to be an intimate space away from the Soho crowds, the bar is furnished in custom tufted banquettes in teal velvet, overstuffed mint green leather tub chairs and dark brown leather club chairs.
With The London EDITION, Ian Schrager is changing the definition of luxury and putting superb service as the main goal. This is a new lifestyle hotel where you don’t have to sacrifice anything, whether it’s for fun or work, to stay in the coolest place in town.
The London EDITION
10 Berners Street London
W1T 3NP, United Kingdom
T: (+44) 2077810000
