The Corinthia in London, “a 21st-century grand hotel”, has opened its doors and welcomed its first paying guest at an exciting time for the capital city, under the world’s spotlight due to the Royal Wedding.
For its general manager, Matthew Dixon, it signifies Corinthia’s arrival at the forefront of leading luxury hotels and is an important moment for the company, marking the ninth member of its family.
“We were delighted to have won the bid against senior, international players in the hotel world to buy the eminent Victorian building in Whitehall Place, dating from 1885, which has been painstakingly renovated over the last three years,” Mr Dixon says.
The carriage procession to Buckingham Palace after Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding at Westminster Abbey passed close to the hotel, which says something about its location.
In fact, position is key – it is just moments from Trafalgar Square, 10 Downing Street and Covent Garden, and is the closest five-star hotel to Westminster Abbey in an area that has seen “great resurgence”. London is the place to be and the 2012 Olympic Games, which it is hosting next year, will give it the boost it has been sustaining. Corinthia’s latest flagship should be benefitting from that, as well as from its proximity to the headquarters of London Fashion Week only five minutes away.So is the design of the Corinthia Hotel an important element, which engaged the talent of world-famous David Collins.
“It is an intrinsic part of making our guests feel comfortable, beyond the state-of-the-art facilities” – including flat-screen TVs in bathrooms.
Created by the Victorians, who “picked great buildings to be in”, the Corinthia has 294 rooms and suites. It is characterised by high ceilings and takes advantage of cityscape views, says Mr Dixon, who is talking from the Northall restaurant, flooded in natural light, overlooking the greenery of a garden and a stone’s throw away from the river.
Light is also an important element in the lobby, with its statement Baccarat chandelier, complete with 1,000 crystals, that hangs from the ceiling.
The stylish Bassoon, inspired by music, promises to be a destination bar for discerning clients, while the opulent Massimo’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar offers a Mediterranean fish feast – even in a private dining room. They have already seen their share of VIPs.
Next in line on the hotel’s offer is London’s “most enlightening spa”, spread over 3,000 square metres and four floors, bringing an innovation to the capital city, which would only otherwise be found in a resort.