Hilton launches UK's first Curio Collection hotel, a 'sanctuary of style' in Trafalgar Square
– Mark Nogal, global head of Curio Collection by Hilton
Hospitality giant Hilton has opened its first Curio Collection property in the UK, renovating a landmark hotel in London's Trafalgar Square as a “sanctuary of style” in the heart of the city.
The Trafalgar St. James has 131 bedrooms and 15 suites. Each has been designed by British studio Shh Architects with Art Deco flourishes and references to the history of the building, which once housed the offices of the Cunard Steamship Company.
Tactile furnishings and bold colour choices have been used to create a sense of comfort, while art walls in the bedrooms pay tribute to some of London’s music idols.
The hotel also features a house living room in an underground chamber; a Mediterranean restaurant; a 24-hour gym; and a rooftop bar, opening in October, with panoramic views over the square.
The hotel was previously operated by Hilton, without a brand, as The Trafalgar.
Commenting on the re-design and rebrand, Mark Nogal, global head of Curio Collection, said: "The Trafalgar St. James marks the consummate debut of Curio Collection by Hilton in the UK. The remarkable hotel is an ideal addition to our expanding global collection of distinctive hotels and resorts, providing travellers, residents and Hilton Honors members the opportunity to discover central London in a unique and memorable way."
Curio Collection, launched in 2014, is a global portfolio of more than 35 upscale hotels and resorts designed to have unique character and personality.
What was the inspiration for your design concept?
We were designing a space for citizens of the world. Somewhere for seasoned and business travellers alike, which maintains a London edge. The art concepts in the rooms are bold and colourful and represent luxury travel and create a sense of place by referencing London’s cultural and entertainment hub; Trafalgar Square. The materials and touch points also subtly remind the guest of their unique location.
The rooftop has a clean, urban, London feel. It's a contemporary space with unique views, which embraces the cultural and vibrant entrainment hub that is Trafalgar Square.
What was the most exciting part of the project, and what was most challenging?
The most challenging part of this project was working with the existing building infrastructure. Hardly any one room was exactly the same as another, and each room had its own quirk – for example, the windows would differ from room to room so the window treatments would need to be amended to suit. Over 100 rooms that can be difficult.
The most exciting part of the project was designing some unique items of furniture for the rooms, as well as the custom London/Trafalgar Square focused artwork in the bedrooms and corridors with Peter Millard Studio.
With the rooftop bar, the most challenging part was creating an engaging space in what needs to be a highly functional, external setting. All the finishes & furniture items are exposed to the elements, so a thoughtful material palette was chosen to handle London weather conditions. Working within the building restraints of listed views and planning consents was also rather challenging.
The most exciting part was the opportunity to work on a building in such a prime location. It was really stimulating to design a space that maximises the incredible views out to London’s most iconic buildings, monuments, streetscapes and parks.
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