Following an extensive refurbishment, The Wellesley Hotel opened its doors in December 2012. Located at No.11 Knightsbridge, London, The Wellesley Hotel boasts a 24-hour front desk, a collection of bedrooms and penthouse suites and some rather decadent dining spaces.
The 1920s townhouse building was restored and updated in order to provide guests with a modern take on a traditional style and showcases an art deco design. Inspired by the jazz and prohibition era, the hotel mixes state-of-the-art tech with classic fixtures and fittings.
Khalid Affara, Managing Director of City and Country Hotels, the Arab Investments company behind the hotel, said:
“We are delighted to have created one of the most high quality suite hotels in London.
“The location of the hotel and the size of the 36 rooms determined that the product is not only elegant and private, but the service, restaurant and bar offerings are second to none.”
As part of the refurbishment works, Fox Linton Associates was responsible for creating a high-end, timeless luxury bar and lounge within the hotel. The bar includes five distinct spaces: the Crystal Bar, Humidor Lounge, Humidor and two smoking terraces.
Discussing the design brief for the hotel, Design Director of Fox Linton Associates, Dennis Irvine, said:
“The brief was to design and implement a high-end timeless luxury bar and lounge. The design ethos was to be bespoke, tailored and unique. The brief was to showcase and embrace the world of cigar smoking from vintage Havana’s to limited edition Behikes. The complete experience was to be enhanced by the finest selection of vintage cognacs and whiskies sourced from private collections and auctions.
“Challenges on the project included the interconnection of all five spaces as well as the routing and planning of services. The existing underground substation below was demanding as we had to navigate the existing structures to provide exact environmental conditions to store and preserve the cigars within the humidor.”
Dennis added:
“The entire interior is bespoke, distinctive and sumptuous; enhancing the complete guest experience with focus on enjoyment and indulgence. Signature design elements include artwork made from tobacco leaves and commissioned in Cuba, crystal chandeliers, wall lights that replicate cigars and specialist smoking chairs upholstered in the finest crocodile leathers.
“The final result is an absolute haven for the cigar aficionado, which is intimate, convivial and combines modern luxury with a glamorous evocation of times gone by.”
Doug Phillips Carpenters & Joiners conducted the joinery work on The Wellesley Hotel project, Interio was responsible for the furniture and upholstery and Dernier and Hamlyn Limited provided lighting. Portobello Art was responsible for artwork framing, Bond Worth Limited supplied carpets and DeArt provided the humidor.
The Wellesley Hotel takes its name from Sir Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington. Sir Arthur Wellesley served as Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1828 and 1834 and was recognised with a statue which stood above the original Marble Arch.
For more information about the Wellesley Hotel, please visit: www.thewellesley.co.uk.
