United Kingdom Travel Guide
Pop-Up Hotels / Music Festival Hotels / UK Hotels / Snoozebox / Unusual Hotels / → All Tags
Contain Yourself: There’s a New Brand of Pop-Up Hotels in the UK
Where: United Kingdom
In the ever-expanding world of pop-up buildings – hotels, restaurants, museums – there’s a newcomer in the UK, Snoozebox, who is ushering in a new era of stylish pop-up hotels.
These hotels are aesthetically-chic and can pop-up in 48 hours at festivals and sporting events, with the added advantage of being right in the heart of the action. Right now, one can only find them in the UK but the capability is there to expand worldwide.
And here’s why. These hotels are decked out shipping containers, with a double bed and single bunk, full bathroom, air-con, flat-screen TV and free wireless (yes, you heard that right) in every room. Granted, the rooms are on the smallish size, but no expense has been spared in the amenities of these tidy, stylish portable hotels.
Plus they can go wherever the world needs additional fashionable accommodations. In other words you call them in when necessary, sort of like a superhero, really. We know that we start to panic when a nice hotel cannot be found at an event we’re attending.
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.
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.
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
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.
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...
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.
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
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
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.
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?
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!
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
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.
Hotel News / Sheraton Hotels / Starwood Hotels / Hotel Renovations / Edinburgh Hotels / → All Tags
To Find Out What The Sheratons Of The Future Will Look Like, Head To Edinburgh
She's a grand old dame, and she's still full of swagger.
We've known for a while that Starwood has been spending a ton of money upgrading all of the properties under its most iconic brand, Sheraton. $6 billion, to be exact. Now, with the centerpiece of that renovation project completed, we're starting to get a sense of where the brand is heading.
Starwood is telling everyone to pay attention to the Sheraton Grand Edinburgh's new look, as it will become the "blueprint" for all future Sheraton hotels to come. In fact, Starwood Senior VP Michael Wale told Scotsman: "The Sheraton Grand in Edinburgh will definitely become the flagship for the brand and will act as a template for what the brand will look like."
Ooh, lucky Edinburgh!
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.
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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