2020 – WHAT’S NEW IN LONDON?
As we find ourselves in a time of uncertainty with many event planners being asked to self-isolation or work from home, we want to keep you inspired and thinking of the future with this post about What’s New in our home city of London. Let’s refocus what we are looking at and use this time to get some inspiration, to learn, to share and plan for a time when things will go back to normal!
This city is one of the most eclectic places in the world and it is forever changing. In terms of events, London is a big old place and unsurprisingly, its possibilities are endless. The tricky part is choosing from a myriad of options, and that’s why we’re here!
Whether you’re organising a conference, meeting or luxury incentive, we make sure to stay in the know of what’s happening in our own backyard by keeping our ear to the ground.
The latter part of 2019 and 2020 have brought an exciting number of new venues and properties that have already opened or will be opening soon. To make your job easier, here is a summary of ‘What’s New in London:
THE LONDONER
Taking centre stage in London’s famous Leicester Square, The Londoner is set to be a super luxurious property that is housed over 16 storeys of luxury. This beautiful property will be considered one of the few hotels in the city to be environmentally sustainable because it’s expected to meet and exceed requirements for energy and water use, health and well being, pollution, transport, materials, waste, ecology and management processes. We cannot wait to see it!
Opening: June 2020
Where: Leicester Square
What to do in the area: Guests can enjoy the excitement of Film Premiers as they happen on Leicester Square. For Groups, you can have a little fun by hiring a fleet of Twizy Cars and drive around the hot spots of London.
NOBU PORTMAN SQUARE
The Nobu Hotel, Portman Square features 249 guest rooms and suites, a Nobu Restaurant, a ballroom and meeting spaces, which all make for a marriage made in heaven. Commenting on the news, the managing director Desmond Taljaard of L+R (the owner and developer of the hotel), said: “We very much look forward to welcoming our first guests this summer and showcasing our shared passion for exceptional food and hospitality experiences.”
Opening: Late Autumn 2020
Where: Marylebone
What to do in the area: With the hotel being moments from the world-renowned shopping districts of Oxford and Regent Street, we recommend private Shopping activities for clients looking to benefit from the location and add a little extra luxury to their programme. For something a bit more local, treat your guests to the smaller shops and restaurants in this area, like the speciality cheese mongers and wine sellers.
PAN PACIFIC LONDON
This is the hotel group’s first European property and will house 237 guest rooms. Their Signature Suite, on the 18th floor, will showcase spectacular views overlooking one of London’s most iconic buildings, The Gherkin. It has also been described as a property that will feature London’s ‘biggest ballroom in the Square Mile’ this autumn! We can’t wait to get a sneak peek!
Opening: October/November 2020
Where: Liverpool Street
What to do in the area: If you’re looking for something historical and quirky, experience some time travel in ‘Dennis Severs’ House in Spitalfields,an immersive reconstruction of an 18th to 20th century English home. Also in the area, for groups looking for a lunch with a view, the brand new 120 Fenchurch Street offers both a beautiful garden and a funky restaurant with atmosphere -14 Hills.
THE MAYFAIR TOWNHOUSE
The Mayfair Townhouse will be a welcome addition to Iconic Luxury Hotels’ current collection: Cliveden House, Chewton Glen, The Lygon Arms and 11 Cadogan Gardens. The hotel is made up of seven Georgian listed buildings within its structure, all of which were the inspiration behind Oscar Wilde’s play ‘The Importance of being Earnest’. Overall, there will be 172 rooms and suites, including two penthouse suites and garden suites, The Dandy Bar, a private gym and event spaces.
Opening: September 2020
Where: Green Park
What to do in the area: Organise a unique Vintage Bike tour around London’s Royal Parks! You can also turn the ride into a Gin Safari where guests have the option to taste a selection of boutique London Gin’s on their way round…Alternatively, see the sights of Buckingham Palace during its opening times to the public between 21 July – 30 September 2020.
nhow HOTEL
nhow HOTEL
Taking inspiration from London’s most iconic institutions, from the Royal family to Big Ben, the new nhow hotel’s interiors are a quirky mix of clashing colour, art installations and Punk-inspired slogans. The eight-floor hotel will house 190 rooms, a restaurant designed as a reinvention of the British pub, a bar, a gym and three meeting rooms called Laboratories.
Opening: January 2020
Where: Old Street
What to do in the area: Give your event programme a wow-factor by hosting an offsite Gala dinner in the Crypts at St Paul’s Cathedral. If you fancy something a bit more unusual, why not hire a table in Europe’s largest purpose-built ‘Social Ping Pong Club’, featuring the finest cocktails and pizzas?
RUBY LUCY LONDON
Carnival is the theme of this new Southbank opening. The Munich-based hotel brand was one of the first London openings of the year and subscribes to an idea of ‘lean luxury’, perfect for those clients seeking a little bit of ‘less is more’…. This smaller boutique property only has 76 rooms that feature quirky touches, including a personal tablet pre-loaded with some exciting suggestions of activities. There is also a 24-hour bar onsite, cheers!
Opening: January 2020
Where: Lambeth/Waterloo
What to do in the area: Head to the Southbank for the Underbelly Festival that delivers a series of live entertainment, alfresco eating and drinking from April – September 2020 or treat your guests to a unique private dining experience on one of the capsules on board the iconic London Eye.
THE GUARDSMAN BUCKINGHAM GATE
The Guardsman, part of Preferred Hotels‘ LVX collection, has been designed as an intimate luxury hotel with just 53 rooms plus six residences across the top three floors, including a luxurious penthouse with a wraparound terrace. Located just six minutes walk from Buckingham Palace’s main gates, this property has a relaxed yet stylish feel that makes it idyllic for smaller groups looking for a uniquely British experience.
Opening: Spring 2020
Where: Westminster
What to do in the area: Have your very own Breakfast at Tiffany’s at The Tiffany Blue Box Café at Harrods, before wine tasting at one of London’s historic venues and wine merchant to the Queen – Berry Brother’s & Rudd.
TREEHOUSE HOTEL
Treehouse London is perfectly perched opposite the BBC studios and offers a rooftop oasis with world-class views of the London Eye, The Shard, Canary Wharf and Regent’s Park; a great backdrop for those looking for something urban. As the first UK hotel from US-based SH Hotels & Resorts, the property boasts 95 guest rooms, including 15 suites that all have stunning views across London’s city skyline.
Opening: November 2019
Where: Marylebone
What to do in the area: Walking tours are a thing of the past, so we like to get a little more creative and recommend clients try out a Silent Disco Walking Tour instead. If you don’t know what this is, think a mix between Flash Mob and a Silent Disco, It’s a roaming, rhythmic fun tour through London!
ZEDWELL
Wellness is at the forefront of many event planners minds lately and The Zedwell’s ethos has been especially designed to provide a relaxing environment through calm inducing colours, a filtered air system, serious soundproofing and much more. This property is being describes as a sanctuary in the chaos that is London City Centre. It houses 700 guestrooms, across 10 levels, as well as one of London’s biggest rooftop bars with a space to hold an estimated 1000 people. Summer parties will be incredible in this space so start booking!
Opening: February 2020
Where: Soho
What to do in the area: Take your groups for a fun range of activities in the City such as making your own pizza’s at Ponti’s Italian Kitchen – Pizza Scuola or enjoy one of England’s upcoming sports, a round or two of darts at Flight Club. If darts are no interest to your delegates, then how about a round of crazy golf at Swinger’s?
