A brand-new Curio Collection by Hilton hotel, which is set to open its doors in spring 2022 in the city of London, has revealed photographs of its new design-led rooms and elegant interiors.
Lost Property St. Paul’s London, Curio Collection by Hilton, will be the first hotel under the brand in the Square Mile when it welcomes its first guests next year, following a renovation. The hotel joins almost 50 Curio Collection hotels trading or under development across Europe and has been developed by leading property and real estate group Dominvs Group.
The new 145-room hotel will offer guests a bar, restaurant and café and is located on the doorstep of St Paul’s Cathedral on Ludgate Hill.
The elegant rooms have been designed by Rani Ahluwalia, creative director, Key Interior and Designs, in partnership with Ica—Hospitality, Architecture & Interiors. The lavish, sophisticated designs are spread over the hotel’s six floors and 82,452 sq. ft. (7,660 sq. m.) floor space.
“London and the local area were a massive inspiration for the design of the hotel…There are subtle nods to London and the local area’s history throughout the hotel, whether it’s celebrating historic quirks, eccentricities or curiosities from the city’s past and present,” Ahluwalia said. “When people visit the hotel, we want them to feel like they are experiencing a completely new and fresh side of London, one very different to the London that they usually see and experience. As a result, we worked hard to find stories that had been forgotten or overlooked that could be integrated into the design in interesting ways.”
Curio Collection by Hilton is a global portfolio of more than 100 hotels and resorts, each hand-picked for its distinct character, appealing to travelers seeking one-of-a-kind discoveries and an independent hotel experience.
“The interiors draw heavily on deco and Mid-Century design. We also wanted to make sure that visitors and travelers could engage with the design in new ways and make the whole experience of coming to the hotel much more immersive, so we’ve included shots of bold color, sculptural pieces and tactile materials throughout. It’s quite a sensory experience,” Ahluwalia noted.
Drawing on the full design breadth afforded by the Curio Collection while extending it in new ways, the bedrooms are modern, design-conscious and elegant. They blend classic features with high-quality furniture and a clean, crisp finish, giving the hotel a unique personality and character emphasized with bespoke artwork inspired by London’s lost stories in history.
“The design throughout the hotel, such as the artwork that lines the walls in the hallways and around the reception desks, draws heavily on this area’s unique history, so, you have artwork that captures old underground stations and draws on all clothes and fashion that you might have seen people wearing on London’s streets over the last hundred years and beyond,” Ahluwalia said. “We have tried to find fresh inspiration from untold stories and curiosities of the city’s history. The history of London and the local area is so rich, but some of the more curious stories have been lost. We have tried to retell them through the hotel’s design.”
The interior’s neutral walls are elegantly contrasted with the furniture’s deep blues and warm timbers, with the fittings and trim finished in a lavish English brass. The color palette and style is carried across into the en-suite bathrooms as well as through the hotel’s communal areas, including the restaurants and lobby.
“We’re trying to tell the story of the local area and London through all its forgotten stories, eccentricities and curiosities. It’s about trying to find a truly authentic and new understanding and experience of London. Ultimately, we wanted the whole experience to be quite unexpected for guests,” Ahluwalia said.
She added, “I would also highlight the design in the bar and café. Whereas the rest of the hotel’s design leans into the ‘lost’ stories of London, the bar celebrates the ‘found.’ And the hotel’s café is inspired by secrets, gossip and conversation, and it has been heavily inspired by St. Paul’s Cathedral Whispering Gallery, which is just around the corner.”
While the interiors have been completely transformed, Dominvs Group has ensured the sensitive refurbishment of the building retains the external, Grade II-listed grey stone facade, preserving the beautiful, traditional architectural heritage of the area.
Close to St. Paul’s Cathedral, the hotel’s rooms facing north and east will have views of the famous London landmark.
The hotel is situated in the middle of London’s financial heart and the new cultural hub of Culture Mile. Its transport connections make Lost Property the perfect base for business and leisure visitors alike. It is near City Thameslink, the Central line at St Paul’s and the District and Circle lines at Blackfriars. It is also a short walk to London Bridge and the South Bank across the river.
“As with all Curio Collection properties, the design is thoughtful, considered, luxurious, but it keeps its own distinctive personality inspired by London and the local surroundings,” Ahluwalia said. “The hotel offers an unforgettable boutique experience layered with eccentricities and stories of London old and new.”
