The London EDITION
Hotel · Fitzrovia ·
Lobby bar, Berners Tavern, Punch Room, chic rooms, great service
Lobby bar, Berners Tavern, Punch Room, chic rooms, great service
"A restaurant with rooms? That wouldn't be entirely fair, but there's no escaping the fact that chef Jason Atherton's ground-floor Berners Tavern is the palpitating heart of the hotel. The lobby cocktail bar, oak-paneled, reservation-only Punch Room and nightclub Basement only increase the pulse-rate. Ian Schrager's considered, gimmick-free design has given the stucco, marble and stained-glass of the historic lobby a funky edge; upstairs, rooms are James Bond-slick, with buttoned-linen George Smith sofas alongside Scandinavian wishbone chairs and Schrager's trademark floor-to-ceiling white drapes. They are also marvelously quiet, a perfect antidote to the hubbub below. Price: Rooms from around $520 per nightAddress: 10 Berners St, London W1T 3NPClosest tube station: Tottenham Court Road" - Condé Nast Traveller, Steve King
"Wander the London streets or pop into any hotel, and there’s a high chance you’ll spot a Christmas tree decorated in its merriest gear. Many of London’s finest hotels put on an extravagant show, including the London EDITION."
"How did it strike you on arrival?Ian Schrager is best known for Studio 54 in New York and launching the concept of boutique hotels, so unsurprisingly, walking into this property feels like joining the party. The lobby is also the bar, with a billiards table, lofty stucco ceiling, giant chrome egg dangling from it, and open fire—there’ll be loud chatter over gin and tonics and people reclining on sofas pretending to work on their MacBooks. It's an entertaining mix of bright young things, finance swells, and hipster guests. And no wonder: The hotel, along with being one of London’s most stylish spots right now, is home to the Punch Room, one of the hottest clubs in town, located in the middle of Fitzrovia. What’s the crowd like?The glamorous, sociable kind. This hotel is all about moving and shaking in the impressive communal spaces. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.Schrager has partnered with Marriott to launch the Edition brand and, as such, the rooms don’t vary much, except for size. They're good, though: White walls and linen are warmed up by oak floors and paneling, along with faux fur throws. The smallest of the rooms feel a touch shoebox, although all have a slim desk, a lounge chair, and a Hendriks Kerstens photograph, inspired by portraits by Dutch masters. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?If you like the super-soft linen you can buy it (along with the bed and most other things you can lay your hands on) from the online shop. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?The minibars are imaginative, including iced coffee and earl grey tea lip balm instead of boring Britvic. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.Minimalist white-tiled bathrooms have rain showers—only a handful have baths. Le Labo products have a specially designed scent. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Free. Room service: Worth it?In-room food comes from Berners Tavern. It’s available round the clock and surprisingly good value—a plate of mushroom gnocchi costs $20. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.Berners Tavern is still one of the city’s hottest tickets. Directed by star chef Jason Atherton, the walls are crammed with art in glittering gilt frames—it’s super for a special occasion but not the least bit stuffy. Go in the evening (it’s too fancy for lunch) and book ahead, preferably a shell-colored booth if you can get one, and try the barbecue pork chop ($35). Bottom line: worth it, and why?It isn't cheap, but you can easily spend more on less grand London establishments." - Laura Goulden
"Berners Tavern, the stunning British brasserie at Ian Schrager’s London Edition (also a MICHELIN Guide Hotel). The hotel is a personal favorite; I used to stay there when I covered London Fashion Week, running into friends and editors in the cavernous lobby bar and the more intimate, 70s-influenced punch room." - Ashley Simpson
"Stepping into the London EDITION, it’s clear to see that Ian Schrager, the man responsible for the legendary nightclub Studio 54, and mastermind of the first-ever “boutique hotel,” has yet again repeated his successful formula. Since it launched in September 2013, the EDITION has become a celebrity favorite, with all the attendant publicity that brings. It’s not without merit, either. The open-to-all Lobby Bar is—in signature Schrager style—the communal hub of the hotel, where freelancers click away on free-to-use iMacs during the day and a statuesque, fashionable crowd transforms the space into a lively cocktail bar at night. The EDITION’s somewhat unlikely partnership with Marriott seems to be a hit, with Schrager bringing his particular brand of cool to the marriage and Marriott investing a discernible level of service, which transforms what could have been an intimidatingly hip address into what is a genuinely comfortable place to be."
