London Fashion Week has grown to become one of the city's most visible industry showcases. Though few of us can expect front row catwalk seats fashion conscious events spill out from Somerset House and last well beyond the scheduled five-day run. Here's a suggestion of places to stay, just don't expect $10,000 to get out of bed.
London Marriot County Hall: Guests at the Southbank's County Hall, will be in no doubt that London owes its existence to The Thames, many rooms offering views across the river and Westminster Bridge towards the Palace of Westminster. For loftier appreciations the London Eye is right next door. Special rates for Fashion Week.
St Pancras Renaissance London Hotel: Surely one of the city's Gothic design landmarks, for years Gilbert Scott's fantasy façade was just that, hiding the sad and empty shell of the former Midland Grand Hotel. Today, after a decade of restoration the five-star hotel's brass is polished, its lights burning bright and glass glistening. A delight for lovers of Victoriana and of course handy for the train…
The Covent Garden Hotel: Just off the piazza this relatively small luxury hotel doesn't fight for attention - it doesn't need to. Public spaces tend towards books, wood and sofas, while rooms have fresh, bold design elements giving the feel of a well-to-do townhouse rather than an hotel. The hotel's Brasserie Max excels at pre and post event dining, and the location is handy for Fashion Week's hub at Somerset House.
The Dorchester: A Park Lane supermodel almost as soon as it opened in 1931, the hotel's award-winning afternoon tea endures as a justly renowned institution, so too 'Alan Ducasse at The Dorchester' - London's only three-star Michelin restaurant. Thursdays in The Bar see live music invite investigation of a superlative, if wallet pummelling, cocktail menu. This isn't a place for half measures.
The Goring: Owned and managed by one family for over 100-years not even Zeppelin raids and the Blitz saw the distinguished Belgravia property close. But all public faces eventually need a little work. The Goring re-opens after a major refit on 21st February. Quintessentially English, an intriguing wisp of eccentric charm inveigles rooms and gardens that have entertained kings, queens, emperors, presidents, Prime Ministers and generals - even the Middletons booked in for the Royal wedding.
The Hoxton: This hip Shoreditch 'anti-hotel' eschews petty annoyances long resident in London hotels i.e. extortionate wifi charges, inexcusably high phone rates and miserable mini-bar tariffs. With an earnest transatlantic zeal The Hoxton goes the whole nine yards in respect of style, décor and service to be more than 'just a hotel'. It's out of the Fashion Week fray but a statement in its own right.
The Savoy: Though the week's main events are almost within earshot fashion passes by the Savoy in the way of The Thames. The hotel's shiny Art Deco entrance is a portal to a privileged world of indulgence that, as well as gracious five-star accommodation, includes such top restaurants and bars as Simpsons-In-The-Strand, The Savoy Grill under Gordon Ramsay, and the timeless American Bar.
Tune Hotel Liverpool Street: Unpretentious can be a euphemism for cheap and nasty but in the case of Tune it means a low-cost model of budget sleeps a short walk from Spitalfields Market and Liverpool Street station. Expect to pay extra for everything over and above your bed and shower, including towels, hairdryer, TV, aircon, WiFi (reasonable) and windows…
W London Hotel: Time to find out if W's 'Whatever/Whenever®' ethos suits - 'just make it legal' is the concierge's only plea. A private DJ nightclub, 3D cinema, spa, and 'Wonderful' rooms whose linen leaves you in awe of Egyptian thread counting pre-eminence, are all part of a highly polished package. The Leicester Square location may be a little overexposed but if you're meeting shiny happy people it's unbeatable.
Z Hotel Soho: Hotel rooms are places to sleep, wash and er… watch TV. Why pay for more? Enter Z Hotels, close to Fashion Week's main Covent Garden events, in theatreland and with Soho's bars and restaurants all around. Rooms are tiny, some with 'no curtains to draw' and no windows. However, 'it's' all there - a chic, modern, well-designed package of wet room, TV, WiFi and a comfortable bed.
This article has been produced in association with www.talkholiday.com
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