Lignée Hotels plants flag in London
Grand Hotel Bellevue opens in London: a 60-key boutique hotel and first British property by French group Lignée Hotels.
Paris-based architect Fabrizio Casiraghi flexed his interior credentials when approaching this Victorian townhouse renovation adjacent to Norfolk Square. Occupying the five upper levels, the interiors are conceived as an intimate home merging quintessentially British design codes and a capricious spirit. Casiraghi was inspired by the contrast between the elegant elevation and the leafy location, in a neighbourhood in constant change, to develop the story behind the hotel interiors.
The house is imagined as the residence of an eclectic couple; an aristocratic Englishman and his eccentric, globetrotting wife, decorated by combining their taste and aesthetics throughout. This narrative became Casiraghi’s starting point for the design identity of the hotel. The sophisticated use of lacquered dark wood and traditional decorative elements pay homage to the traditional masculine, while bold colour choices and quirky details represent the stronger creative identity of the other half.
Guests are welcomed into the hotel via the Lobby, where they are greeted by an environment that sets the tone for the entire experience. The furniture, a mix of bespoke pieces and flea-market finds, suggesting the interiors of a conventional English home, while the bold orange hue chosen for the walls gives a energy of modernity to the space.
Visual contrast continues in the hotel rooms, where a vintage atmosphere is mixed with a more contemporary approach. The material choices and selected hues further incubates the intimate scheme. In each room, bespoke furniture in dark wood is elegantly combined with complementing carpets and curtains in muted tones, while the same shades are replicated in concentrated tincture across the sleek tiles in the bathrooms.
Characterised by natural light and original architectural features, the same style is declined across the different types of rooms found throughout. The most compact of the hotel’s offerings, the Cabin Rooms are inspired by deckhouses, offering a cosy albeit functional space for guests. The larger lodgings include the Classic Rooms, imagined as a peaceful sanctuary whilst the Superior suites, occupying the upper floors, nod to the Victorian architecture and luxury heritage of the building, with high ceilings and expertly crafted timber furniture.
Traditional elements are also championed in the Deluxe Rooms with their sash windows and super king size beds. Across the corridor, the Executive Rooms, sleeping up to 3 people, offer a sophisticated stay and include a custom-made sofa, full length mirror and large wardrobe.
Finally, the Grand Norfolk Suite represents the amalgamation of British tradition and eccentrics at its finest, featuring large French windows and views over the square below. All rooms are equipped with amenities by Floris cosmetics, and guests have access to the 24 hours NOHrD Fitness Studio.
The energetic spirit of the Grand Hotel Bellevue culminates in the Pondicherry Bar. Located on the ground floor opposite the lobby, the space connects directly to the city whilst maintaining the feel of an exclusive member’s club. For this space, Casiraghi chose a bold palette with a vibrant yellow tone on the walls, offset by the rich tapestries created in collaboration with American fashion designer Emily Bode. Wrapping around the entire room, their design best represents the eclectic spirit of the hotel.
The deep blue tapestry is adorned with elephants and tiger motifs that nod to South Asian textile design and adds a rich palette of colour to the space.
Photo Credit: Billal Taright.
