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Celebrity Scoop / Kim Kardashian / Kanye West / London Hotels / → All Tags

Kim K Is All Over Kanye...and London Hotels

So Kim Kardashian is, for reals, dating Kanye West. (Congrats, Kimmie! You found an even richer, more famouser boyfriend than last time. We're so happy for you. Really. From the bottom of our hearts.)

Last week we surmised that Kim would be shacking up at the Lanesborough where Kanye booked an entire floor. But as it turns out, Kim K is getting around.

We've spotted loads of paparazzi snaps of her and Kanye leaving The Athenaeum (and then loads more of snaps showing just Kim leaving the hotel.) We can't blame her for staying here as the place features residential-like guestrooms and free WiFi (great for all those Twitpics of her half-naked self that she keeps uploading.

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Bathroom Tuesdays / Hotel Toilets / Sweet Suites / London Hotels / Luxury Hotels / → All Tags

Luxury Hotels Now Want to Pamper Your Heinie With High-Tech Toilets

Well, it's official. The must-have amenity for luxury hotels is clearly the The TOTO Neorest Washlet. Yup, we're talking about a toilet.

We spied this high-tech potty in the new rooms at the Hotel Bel-Air as well as in the specialty suites of the Peninsula Beverly Hills.

But it's also the crowning glory of the Ebony Suite at The May Fair Hotel in London.

We've already dished on the Ebony Suite's lit-up bathtub which was also designed by TOTO but now the May Fair has issued a press release describing the mechanics of their technologically advanced loo:

Worth approximately £10,000, the TOTO Neorest Washlet is the most advanced lavatory around. Its futuristic design features a heated seat, integrated bidet with directional warm jets of water, temperature and water massage function, dryer and automatic deodorizer – all operated via a wall-mounted remote control panel.

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Hotel Events / Hotel Indigo Hotels / London Hotels / Hotel Theater / → All Tags

'The Hit' is Taking Over the Hotel Indigo Tower Hill in London This Weekend

Where: 142 Minories [map], London, United States, EC3N 1LB

We all know how expensive London hotels can be but if you're in town this weekend, there's something you can do at a London hotel entirely for free--and it's not related to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee either.

The Hotel Indigo Tower Hill is putting on an interactive theater production throughout the hotel. The Hit, a "Madmen"-esque production tells the story of a historic heist filled with greed and deception which is perfect considering the hotel's location in the Financial District. Scenes of the production will take place throughout the hotel. The show is running from May 25-May and tickets are open to the public and gloriously free.

We're expecting it will be a lot like the W London's Punchdrunk experience from last year, only maybe less kinky. Wanna make a night out of it? Sorry, rooms are sold out this weekend and next. But we found rooms on June 8 for just £99 a night.

Hotel Delays / London Hotels / London Hotel Openings / InterContinental Hotels / Hotel News / → All Tags

Here's One London Hotel That Won't Be Opening in Time for the Summer Olympics

Where: 28 Broadway, London, United Kingdom, SW1H 9JS

The 2012 Summer Olympics are only two months away and we've been tracking the numerous hotel openings in London leading up to the event (You can see those stories here.)

But sadly, one hotel will not make it in time.

The InterContinental Westminster has pushed back its opening date from Spring 2012 to Spring 2013. This hotel has already been delayed once before, having missed opening in time for the Royal Wedding. (Hat tip to commenter guanche who pointed out the delay.)

We've been hearing about this property for a few years now but we're guessing its running into some issues with the renovations. The hotel was originally built as a hospital and was previously in use by the government as home for the Treasury Solicitor. Not an easy conversion task.

Still, ever hopeful, the hotel does have a Facebook page.

[Photo: InterContinental Westminster/Facebook]

Celebrity Scoop / Kanye West / Kim Kardashian / Celebrity Hotels / London Hotels / Renaissance Hotels / → All Tags

We Hope The Lanesborough Knows What They're Getting Themselves Into...

Where: Hyde Park Corner, London, United Kingdom, SW1X 7TA

The other month we reported that Kanye West and a few other rappers were living it up at The Lanesborough. Little did we know that West's new main squeeze, Kim Kardashian—as well as the entire Keeping Up With The Kardashians film crew—would be following him there. And so quickly!

The Mirror reports that Kim has officially landed in London, and though Kim's hotel hasn't been confirmed, it is likely that the pair will be spending a significant amount of time at The Lanesborough, where West has booked an entire floor.

Knowing how much both Kim and Kanye love holing up for weeks at a time in the world's trendiest hotels, we shudder to think what their hotel-hopping powers combined might accomplish. A flour-bombed, hot-boxed, multifunctional naked yoga and recording studio? With any luck, yes.

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Hotel Openings / London Hotels / London Hotel Openings / Melia Hotels / ME Hotels / Hotel Opening Rates / → All Tags

ME By Melia London Now Opening on July 15 for Nearly £400 a Night

Where: 336-337 The Strand, London, United Kingdom

As the Summer Olympics get closer, we expect a rush of hotels in London to open, like the ME by Melia London. The hotel initially was set to open on June 4 but today we navigated the dizzying ME website and found the hotel is instead opening on July 15 at nearly 400GBP a night.

That's for a deluxe room which includes a rain shower, music speakers, free WiFi, built-in adaptors for Europe and USA, an integrated digital media hub, mood lighting, a sitting area, an in-room spa menu and a bunch of other amenities, standard (mini-bar) and not (pillow menu.)

Rooms on the desirable Level (which are the 8th and 9th floors of the hotel) start around 552GBP a night and include balconies with seating areas and killer views of either Covent Garden or the Thames.

Regardless of what room they book all guests can partake in the On Top Radio rooftop (named after the adjacent Marconi House and former home of the BBC) with seating for 140 people as well as the downstairs STK steakhouse.

Shockingly, we did still find rooms available for £455 a night on July 27, opening night for the Olympics. Sure, that might be close to a $1,000 USD but it's a new hotel on the opening night of the Olympics! Some one out there must want to splurge, no?

London Hotels / London Hotel Openings / Hotel Renovations / Firmdale Hotels / Kit Kemp / Hotel News / → All Tags

Firmdale's Dorset Square Hotel Will Open June 18

Where: 39 Dorset Square, London, United Kingdom

Well, lookie here. Another new hotel opening in London just in time for the Summer Olympics.

This time it's from the intimate collection of London (and one NYC) boutique hotels, Firmdale--Dorset Square Hotel in the city's Marylebone neighborhood.

The hotel itself has actually been around for a while but it recently got a renovation from fairy godmother (and Firmdale's owner) Kit Kemp. Kemp has integrated her signature accents of "bold colours and textures" as well as pretty-looking fabric patterns (she makes floral look not just acceptable but desirable) and original art.

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Sweet Suites / The May Fair / London Hotels / Photo Gallery / Hotel News / → All Tags

What Room Can You Get for £2,500 at The May Fair London?

Where: Stratton Street, London, United Kingdom, W1A 2AN

It's not too often that a classic London hotel introduces a new suite, especially one with a light-up bathtub. An illuminated tub is just about the only bright thing you'll find in The Ebony Suite, freshly debuted at The May Fair, as the decor is exactly what it sounds like—black, black and more glossy, chic black. Finally, a hotel suite to match the New York wardrobe...in London.

We've already taken you inside and all around the Amarillo Suite, but revisiting those photos, you should know that The Ebony is even larger; a one-bedroom with the option of adding a connecting room.

There is much of Japanese influence in the decor of the room, and in fact the bathroom consists of Toto appliances (you know, the super-advanced, Japanese-made toilets). Oh and guess what! There's a 34-square-meter terrace too!

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Hotel Food / Olympics Hotels / London Hotels / Andaz Hotels / Hyatt Hotels / Hotel Restaurants / → All Tags

You'll Be Globetrotting From The Dinner Table At Andaz London This Summer

Where: Liverpool Street, London, United Kingdom, EC2M 7QA

They sure do things different in England. As the country's capital preps for the 2012 Olympics this summer, Andaz Liverpool Street has come up with a cool way to celebrate all—or, at least, some—of the nations that will be calling on the city over the coming months.

Their idea? A World Food Marathon, in which each of Andaz's restaurants will concoct a different "international" dish every day from July 2 to July 27, leading up to the Olympics Opening Ceremony. That's 26 distinct dishes, each inspired by a different staff member's native country.

Interestingly, the total number of nationalities represented by the hotel's staff actually numbered 40, but they had to narrow it down to 26 to represent the number of miles in a marathon. For the dishes that made the final cut, each staff member worked together with the chef to make sure the recipe was accurately recreated.

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CitizenM Hotels / London Hotels / Hotel Hype / Hotel News / → All Tags

CitizenM Adds a Third London Hotel Near St. Paul's Cathedral

Yesterday we spoke of all the new hotels coming to London's Southbank area but it turns out we forgot to include one.

An eagle-eyed commenter reminded us that CitizenM Hotels, the chic boutique hotel chain with capsule-like rooms, would also be opening near the Thames on Lavington Street. Indeed we even got a sneak peek of the construction on this hotel back in August. So far, the hotel is still scheduled for a 2012 opening. But there's even better news.

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London Hotels / London Hotel Openings / Mondrian Hotels / Hotel Hype / Hotel Construction / Hotel News / → All Tags

More Hotel Love Planned for London's Southbank

The Mondrian London is rising.

As far back as November 2010 we were listing new hotels in London to watch out for as we were starting to have trouble keeping track of all the new ones coming up.

Some of the hotels have opened (Hi Belgraves!) and some we are still waiting for with baited breath (who wouldn't after the daredevil preview from the top of Shangri-La's The Shard tower?).

Development is certainly not showing any signs of slowing down around town, and that includes the Thames river's Southbank. The Shangri-La will radically change the London Bridge area, and we've told you about the Mondrian London arriving inside Sea Container House, just west of the Tate Modern museum, next to the famous OXO Tower.

But that's not all, not one but as many as four new hotels could be popping up steps away from the Mondrian.

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Celebrity Scoop / Nicki Minaj / W Hotels / London Hotels / Fashion Hotels / → All Tags

Nicki Minaj Must Have Forgotten Her Pants Up In Her Room At The W London

Where: 10 Wardour Street , London, United Kingdom, W1D 6QF

We didn't think the rooms at W Hotels were known for being sprawlingly huge or anything, but it looks like Nicki Minaj managed to lose her pants somewhere inside her suite at the W London. Barbie, Roman, Nicki, whatever you want to call her, walked out of her hotel on Monday in a slightly ridiculous ensemble consisting of a red PVC jacket, military boots, black polka dot tights and a set of bondage straps wrapped around her mid section as a skirt.

Maybe the star got a little inspiration after reading passages from Naomi Alderman's porn story, which admittedly fetishizes the W as a sort of sex-charged epicenter of Leicester Square. That must be it.

Or, more likely, Minaj simply ended up here because The Dorchester (and probably a few other places) didn't want her staying with them anymore, and realized she could get away with more by staying at the W. Logical, really.

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