June 27, 2022
The Carlton Tower Jumeirah Hotel, London
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.
Following its 18-month closure for refurbishment last Summer (2021), the hotel underwent the most extensive transformation in its history, at a cost of over £100 million. Every corner of the 17-story building was redesigned, creating a new foyer and reception, 186 new bedrooms and suites reduced from 216 to offer larger accommodations, a health club and spa with London’s largest naturally lit swimming pool, a restaurant, lobby bar and lounge, ballroom and meeting rooms.
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 the 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 a 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 colour 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.
Rooms and Suites
The 186 beautifully appointed guest rooms have all been renovated to the highest standard, designed to offer a sense of tranquillity 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 panelling, furnishings in softer forms and accents in a warm colour palette influenced by British heritage hues in deep blue, green and maroon, and 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 privatise the entire floor for the utmost in security and discretion.
Al Mare Restaurant
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 Al Mare Bar offers a Mediterranean-style menu of fresh, bright drinks, created to pair with the modern Italian dishes. The menu features new techniques applied to familiar classics such as carbonation and lacto fermentation, with five time-honoured classics alongside a wide selection of the cornerstone of the Italian Dolce Vita, the Aperitivo.
The Chinoiserie Bar
The jewel in the crown of the hotel is The Chinoiserie Bar, a remarkable stand-alone space, where guests will find a clean-cut and slick take on the classic hotel bar. This space exhibits a cosy and intimate feel, where visitors are invited to relax and unwind, away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. The bar team’s passion and devotion to detail in creating an unrivalled and unique cocktail experience results in a thought-out menu divided into three sections; Signature Cocktails – a selection of signature drinks, Rewriting History – flavourful reimagined classic serves designed to surprise and delight and a Non-Alcoholic section; a clever selection of serves that captures the stylish ‘what to drink when you’re not drinking’ moment.
The Peak Fitness Club & Spa
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 ‘Technogym’ 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.
Arrival and Public Spaces
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, highlighting 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, is now transformed with an elegant and light design. With the Cake-o’clock concept serving patisserie all day, as well as a wide range of international favourites 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.
W: Carlton Tower Jumeirah London
A: Cadogan Place, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 9PY, UK
E: Bookings
T: +44 (0)20 7235 1234