For those of you not aware of the Mondrian Group of Hotels, they sit in the crown of the Morgan Hotel Group which boasts such internationally renowned establishments as The Sanderson and St Martin’s Lane in London, The Delano in Las Vegas and the Hudson in New York, to literally name but a few. No, we’re not talking a Travel Lodge Chain of Hotels here, that would kinda be like comparing a beautiful piece of Filet Mignon lovingly prepared for you with some dirty Donner Kebab you pick up from some dodgy den of iniquity in the wee small hours of Sunday Morning.
The Mondrian hotel are a selection of fine hotels in key locations, Mondrian London is the first of its kind outside the good ole US of A. It was designed by Design Research Studio under the creative direction of visionary Tom Dixon, yes he of the amazing lamps and shades, the iconic building boasts 359 guestrooms and suites, truly stunning riverside views, two contemporary and engaging bars, an expansive restaurant with private dining rooms, a maritime inspired 56-seat cinema and what is promised as an exciting new spa concept.
The former Sea Containers House, takes full advantage of the hotel’s unique location, on London’s South Bank overlooking the River Thames and the backdrop to many of the iconic examples of fine architecture which make this city’s vistas the envy of the world. Many of the design-led 359 bedrooms and suites offer river and city views. With the golden age of transatlantic ocean fairing travel as a departure point and ocean liner cabins as the point of inspiration, Dixon has created fitted and well-thought-out rooms, incorporating metallic and brass throughout. In addition, each room features bespoke furniture from him and unique, some might say marmite like, piece of art which adorns the wall. The mini bars in each room also offer bespoke pre-packaged Dandelyan cocktails, mixed by the mixologist supremo himself, Mr Lyan.
The restaurant, named Sea Containers, in homage to its prior existence is headed up by New York’s award winning, Seamus Mullen, known for his modern take on Spanish Cuisine and like the Mondrian itself, is his first venture outside the US. Working alongside him is Executive Chef Luke Rayment at Sea Containers and what they try to achieve with the restaurant is bringing Seamus’s talent and passion for cooking fresh, seasonally considered cuisine that is sustainable and carefully sourced.
One of the most interesting elements of this set up is the 56-seat screening room, available to book for events during the week, if you so please and at weekends, it sees the inimitable and endangered Curzon cinema take over the space and take charge of programming, showing their choice of the latest leading arthouse hits for both guests and the public to enjoy.
Plus Point – Apart from the sensational views the amazing Customer Service from the reception desk to the concierge, the restaurant to the bar staff. A level of Service that you only really receive in old school luxury hotels of a bygone era or that great and unfortunately increasingly slipping standard of American Service where nothing is too much trouble and you utterly at rest and spoilt.
Minus Point – The area in which the hotel is homed is under some what of an extensive redevelopment at the moment. So issuing a hi-visability vest and hard hat to each guest as they are about to leave the hotel wouldn’t be a bad idea as you do feel as though you are part of a construction team at times.
Great pictures. really inspired