Located in a renovated Regency-era building designed by John Nash in 1820 and next door to the Haymarket Theatre Roya, the Haymarket Hotel in London is the brainchild of British hoteliers Tim and Kit Kemp. Compared to most hotels, and particularly those in London, this 50-room property has a much larger feel to it. Featuring pale oak flooring with a wide, open central space, the decorative centerpiece immediately catches your attention upon entering the lobby.
The intricate, multi-facial sculpture by Liverpool-born Tony Cragg is an intriguing structure offset by a large black and white painting of the Thames by John Virtue. The artwork and furnishings work together to create an elegant yet understated elegance within the boutique property. A conservatory and a library are located on the ground floor, with the former being a stylish room bathed in generous amounts of natural light from a glass ceiling. Stunning green prints rest on its walls by Paul Zell as well as a painting by Paul Winstanley. The library, with a central open fireplace, is a cornucopia of color filled with assorted plants in glazed ceramic Chinese-style pots, ancient standing stone and wood ornaments, an honesty bar and deep divans with flamboyant pillows.
The Brumus Bar also on the ground floor is well worth a visit if only to chat with friendly manager George Youssef and sample his potent, creative cocktails such as the Dirty Bathtub Gin, Barbecued Daquiri and Alice in Wonderland. The hotel also hosts a traditional afternoon tea as well as a set two-course menu with a glass of wine and tickets to The Phantom of the Opera, now in its 30th year at Her Majesty's Theatre which stands directly opposite the hotel.
Accommodations boast an English countryside air, each equipped with modern amenities and Wi-Fi, iPod docking stations. All rooms feature their own individual styles by design director and owner Kemp. Bathrooms come with double sinks, stand-up showers, separate tubs and flat-screen TVs embedded into the wall.
Guests will find an impressive swimming pool in the basement, not just by its size but by the sheer boldness of its design and ever-changing light installation by artist Martin Richmann. Changing from one minute to the next, it rotates between colors such as blue, yellow and red. With its sleek pewter bar, matching gold Chesterfield sofas and giant TV, it’s more suitable for a celebratory party or corporate get-together than just a dip in the water.
Aside from its vivid color interiors and quirky artworks, the property also offers a superb location on a small street between Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. The area is a great tourist destination with venues like the National Gallery and West End theaters nearby. If wanting to experience a hotel with a quintessential English feel, Haymarket is a great choice.
