New hotels opened in London

Ham Yard Hotel

Ham Yard Hotel, London

Set on a three-quarter acre site in the heart of bustling Soho, a couple of blocks from Mayfair, the hotel revolves around a tree filled pedestrian thoroughfare connecting Great Windmill Street to Denman Street, opening up historic Ham Yard and Denman Place to the public for the first time since the 1960s. Its centrepiece is a specially commissioned large scale bronze sculpture by Tony Cragg. Tim and Kit Kemp, owners of Firmdale Hotels’, have designed Ham Yard Hotel with an ‘urban village’ feel. Alongside the hotel’s 90 individually designed bedrooms and suites will be 24 residential apartments, 13 individual specialist stores and an airy restaurant and bar with outdoor dining and drinking. As well as a sumptuous drawing room and library, the hotel has Firmdale’s first ‘Soholistic Spa’. There is a 176 seat state-of-the art theatre, several spacious private dining and event rooms and an original 1950s bowling alley imported from Texas, complete with bar and lounge. To top it off, hotel guests have access to a charming rooftop garden with sweeping views across the London skyline. www.firmdalehotels.com

Generator London

Generator London, London

Generator London is located in London’s Bloomsbury and first opened in 1995. Originally a police section house, the property features 872 beds across 212 rooms, including 20 new en-suite twins.

The impressive interiors ‘bring together London’s industrial past with the modern energy the city has today’. There’s a customised Generator piano in the café and a hand drawn map of London that decorates the travel shop.

There are chill-out areas with tiered lounge seating; a screening room with state of the art cinema screen; game tables and a café serving up freshly roasted coffee and artisan sandwiches. The bar hosts a programme of daily events for in house guests, is home to a replica Routemaster London bus and the lighting has been designed using recycled fire extinguishers. www.generatorhostels.com

Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard

Shangri-La at The Shard, London

Located in the tallest building in Western Europe on floors 34 to 52, Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London is the city’s first high-rise hotel. It offers views of London in every direction, overlooking landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral. The hotel is the first luxury property to open south of the River Thames.

Every one of the hotel’s 202 guestrooms and suites has a view, and the rooms are amongst the largest in London, averaging more than 42 square metres (452 square feet). They feature Chinese art reinterpreted in a modern, abstract way alongside a soothing colour scheme and mood lighting. All offer the exclusive “Shangri-La Bed” featuring patented body-contouring technology, marble-clad bathrooms with heated floors and Acqua di Parma amenities. Complimentary Internet access, one of Shangri-La’s signature offerings worldwide, is available throughout the hotel, and butler service is offered in all suites. The hotel’s Asian touches extend to its three wining and dining destinations: Tīng, Láng (and Gŏng. Gŏng is located on Level 52, which is also home to the 24-hour gym and London’s highest infinity pool, which will open this summer. www.shangri-la.com/london.

Gastropub The Dog & Fox

The Dog & Fox, Wimbledon, London

Gastropub The Dog & Fox, located in Wimbledon Village, has opened its luxury boutique hotel. Offering 17 rooms, including three feature rooms, the hotel is located next to the high-end shops and restaurants in the Village and is minutes from Wimbledon Common and the Lawn Tennis Championships. Each room features Hypnos beds, Algotherm toiletries, WiFi and Nespresso machines. The Fox Room is the hotel’s largest and comes with a four-poster bed and dressing area.

At the heart of the hotel is a neighbourhood gastropub (the hotel is soundproofed – guests won’t hear any noise coming from the pub or the street), and serves a menu using local and seasonal ingredients, as well as London craft beers and cask ales.

Wimbledon is a short commute into central London – 15 minutes by train or tube.

Chelsea Harbour Hotel

The Chelsea Harbour Hotel, London

The Chelsea Harbour Hotel, London’s only 5*, all-suite hotel is situated on the marina at Chelsea Harbour and has Thames views and access to key London attractions including shopping on the renowned and upmarket Kings Road. It is intended to be ‘an oasis in the bustling London metropolis’.

The development of the hotel’s name, branding and collateral reflect the theme of an ‘oasis in the city’ and the relaxation continues at the Blue Harbour Health Club and Spa. There’s The Harbour Bar for drinks, or dining at the Chelsea Riverside Brasserie, with great views across the marina. www.thechelseaharbourhotel.com