The Arch London has opened its doors to immediate acclaim as one of the capital’s most delightful and individual luxury hotels. With interiors conceived by award-winning hotel designers, RDD plc, the hotel combines contemporary London design influences with the architectural heritage of the Georgian Grade ll listed townhouses in which it is accommodated, to create a unique hotel and a glamorous new destination in the city’s West End.

 

Entering via an elegant Portland stone portico, guests are immediately offered intriguing glimpses, through dark stained timber and glass screens, of the reception, lounge and study. The confident mix of bold original artwork, sumptuous finishes and elegant, modern and classical furniture begins. Ahead, at the end of the entrance lobby is a striking ‘signature’ collage, ‘New Shoes’, a two-metre high Technicolor homage to the hotel’s Marylebone location.

 

In the small lounge, a working stone surround fireplace strikes an immediate note of welcome, the artwork is humorous and the sofas and chairs designed to sink into after a busy day in London. This is a lounge very much for ‘coming home to, comfortable and relaxed. Just a few feet away, the reception area creates a change in tempo with a desk in Nero Portoro marble and a deep-buttoned upholstered leather front.

 

Behind the desk a real time projected artscape offers a constantly changing collection of video art according to the time of day and, facing this, an electric blue wall sculpture and vivid crimson leather bench provide a counterpoint to the hypnotic quality of the video images. The study is different again with sumptuous black and silver hand printed wall covering, bespoke red lacquered writing desk and a deep red and black sofa accented with black and cream geometric cushions. Here, as throughout the hotel, the designers have fully utilised every square millimetre of space, gently teasing it into areas with a specific function delineated by charming details, lighting and furniture pieces.

 

The cocktail bar, Le Salon du Champagne, Kitchen restaurant and Martini Library form a family of inspired spaces for eating, drinking, meeting and relaxing, named HUNter 486 after the Marylebone direct dialling code of the 1950s. RDD collaborated with bar and restaurant branding specialists, Gorgeous Group, to create and design this remarkable collection of areas that revolves around classic glamour and the timeless values of warm hospitality.

 

Le Salon, Bar and Kitchen restaurant areas are carefully blended together, each with their own environment and each needing to play a different role through day and evening. As a result, there is meticulous attention to detail. Yet, the space flows harmoniously with areas carefully delineated by a rich array of devices, from voluptuous semi-circular floor to ceiling banquettes with shimmering sheer curtain surrounds to a dark gloss brick wine dispense for wine tasting and a pewter fronted cocktail bar specially designed to provide unhindered views of the cocktail-making drama.