Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hospitality company, has opened its European flagship hotel, The Carlton Tower Jumeirah, in the heart of London’s Knightsbridge on June 1st, 2021.
The opening is coming on the heels of an 18-month closure during which the five-star hotel underwent an all-encompassing £100 million renovation – the most extensive in its history.
Every corner of the 17-story building has been redesigned, creating a new foyer and reception, 186 new bedrooms and suites reduced from 216 to offer larger accommodations, a new health club and spa with London’s largest naturally lit swimming pool, a restaurant, lobby bar and lounge, ballroom and meeting rooms.
Speaking on the renovation and the reopening, Aaron Kaupp, Regional Vice President of London Properties, Jumeirah Frankfurt and General Manager of The Carlton Tower Jumeirah said:
“We are thrilled to welcome back our valued guests following significant investment and a complete renovation of the hotel, with new rooms, restaurant offerings, spa, and lobby entrance. This landmark opening was set against the backdrop of a pandemic, which has seen the world and our beloved industry face extreme difficulty.
“The Carlton Tower Jumeirah will be a beacon of hope during a very difficult time for us all. We will once more be the place to be seen, a cornerstone for the local London community, as well as a leader of luxury hospitality in the world.”
Located overlooking the world-famous Sloane Street and key London landmarks, The Carlton Tower Jumeirah is a modern classic and sophisticated destination with a rich history. The hotel maintains its world-renowned reputation for first-class service and meticulous attention to detail and has been reinvented for a new generation of discerning guests.
The five-star property originally opened in 1961 as London’s first tower hotel and was celebrated for being the tallest in London at the time. The Carlton Tower was the epitome of glamour: the place to see and be seen, where international stars came to stay and Chelsea socialites flocked to play. Originally designed by Henry End, also responsible for the interiors of the Plaza Hotel in New York, the hotel is now transformed by esteemed interior and architecture design studio ‘1508 London’. The design practice has drawn on the hotel’s glamorous heritage and location to create a modern classic with a timeless, refined interior and sense of grandeur. Respectful of the building’s original, clean modernist style, 1508 London has layered the eclectic mix of the architecture of the surrounding mansion blocks and homes, adding soft curved edges, pops of bright color, and organically inspired forms throughout. The hotel’s enviable position overlooking Cadogan Gardens, the private gardens designed in 1804, is further reflected throughout the hotel, reminding guests of their unique access to this covetable green space and tennis courts, normally only open to residents.
The 186 beautifully appointed guest rooms have all been renovated to the highest standard, designed to offer a sense of tranquility with an emphasis on light and space. Almost 50% of the keys at The Carlton Tower are suites, reflecting the hotel patrons’ historical preference for increased space and longer stays. 87 of the rooms and suites have the fantastic benefit of a balcony, taking advantage of the stunning views across London. Combining a modernist aesthetic with minimal style, the accommodations feature textured wall paneling, furnishings in softer forms, and accents in a warm color palette influenced by British heritage hues in deep blue, green and maroon as well as floor to ceiling marble bathrooms with toiletries by Grown Alchemist. Newly created is the Royal Suite, the hotel’s most exclusive residence featuring three bedrooms with the option to privatize the entire floor for the utmost security and discretion.
Heralding its arrival and marking the hotel’s position as an important modernist building in London at its opening was the commissioning of a large external sculpture by Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930-1993), a sculptor at the beginning of her career in 1961 and now acknowledged as one of the most important English artists of her era. This sculpture has been retained and restored, a highlight of the ‘Porte cochere’ entranceway that continues to the redesigned turntable glass doors. Through these doors, the design echoes a classical British grand hall with the creation of a striking double-height space. Within it is suspended a bespoke fluted chandelier which incorporates an abstract interpretation of a chrysanthemum, inspired by Cadogan Gardens’ history as a botanical garden.
Accessed from the lobby is ‘The Chinoiserie’, the hotel’s much-loved all-day dining area, now transformed with an elegant and light design. With the innovative Cake-o’clock concept serving patisserie all day, as well as a wide range of international favorites and an extensive beverage list, this lounge will reclaim its rightful place in Knightsbridge’s social scene. Additionally, a newly created lobby bar offers a refined experience in glamorous surroundings.
The hotel’s destination restaurant ‘Al Mare’ offers a sophisticated, welcoming dining experience imbued with all the charms of Italian cuisine, both familiar and luxurious. The restaurant allows a convivial, gastronomic experience, taking guests on a journey through Italy, and features a theatre kitchen, private dining room, and al fresco dining. The hotel’s Executive Chef and Al Mare’s Head Chef is Italian native Marco Calenzo, who joined the hotel from Zuma where he was Executive Chef. Prior to this Marco worked for Four Seasons Hotels internationally as well as the Lanesborough in London.
The hotel’s famous health club ‘The Peak Fitness Club & Spa’ is set across three floors and has been completely redesigned. New treatment rooms have been created at the Talise Spa on the second floor and the swimming pool area revitalised. This pool is London’s largest in a hotel with natural daylight and its bright interior is complemented by views through its double-height glass ceiling, lined with poolside cabanas for relaxation.
Additionally, The Peak offers studio classes, and a gym featuring bespoke ‘Techno gym’ equipment on the ninth floor, which overlooks The Peak’s light-filled cafe with breath-taking panoramic views across the capital. With its new design and features as well as a strictly limited membership, The Peak looks set to retake its position at the forefront of London’s luxury wellness world.
Following government guidelines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Carlton Tower Jumeirah will offer the impeccable service for which it is known, positioning the reception discreetly to one side, with thermal imaging cameras, to minimize service and congestion in the foyer. All bedrooms have windows that open to allow natural ventilation, and the hotel’s public spaces will adhere to regulations, including the appropriate PPE for restaurant and hotel personnel.
