Not subscribed?

TRAVEL

Originally published on Tuesday, 01 May 2007

Do Not Disturb

And there we were, thinking there was only going to be one chic new hotel hangout opening this month.

The Haymarket with its deluxe-eclectic rooms, Hollywood A-list-filled lobby and northern Italian restaurant Brumus, was going to be quite enough if its Firmdale siblings the Charlotte Street, Covent Garden and Soho were anything to go by. The fact that there was going to be an indoor pool lounge in which to show off your new Pucci bikini or Vilebrequin trunks whilst sipping a mojito just made it all the more exciting.

But then another bolthole for not-so-dirty stop-outs was brought to our attention: The Church Street Hotel - an enticing blend of Mexicana and Louis XIV, five star boutique-yness in the middle of, wait for it, Camberwell of all places!

The Raido brothers (actor Mel and artist Jose) saw the potential in former South London dive, The Marbella Hotel and have transformed it into a vibrant hosteleria more suited to the creatives and romantics they mean to attract.

Our favourite room has to be the Havana-inspired library lounge bar with its walnut panelling and
ceiling fans.

Hmmm, Camberwell cool or Haymarket hip... how's a person to decide?

Haymarket Hotel - opens today
1 Suffolk Place, SW1 - 020 7470 4000
The Church Street Hotel - opens Monday May 7. 29-33 Camberwell Church St, SE5 - 020 7703 5984

by SL

Bookmark and Share Subscribe

Comments:

Only registered users can write comments!

Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.

 
Send this feature to a friend Back to Travel homepage

ALSO IN TRAVEL

  • Take Two - Bali

    {mosimage}

    Fancy escaping the Eurotrash crowds and finding a truly tropical getaway this summer? It's high season in Bali with perfect, cloudless skies and tanning temperatures; so join UJ on the Island of the Gods as we review two hotels offering very different experiences of paradise. Whether it's partying Soho-House style on the beach with a rooftop bar and sexy sunsets to spare, or a cultural haven surrounded by beautiful rice paddies and tradition that floats your boat, we've scoped out the best stays for your vacay.

  • (Room) Service Not Included

    {mosimage}

    With the launch of Swap My City Pad, the world is your oyster. For free.

  • Go East

    For the ultimate Exchange Rate Escape, head to the Baltic’s first Destination Spa: ESPA Riga. Then take to the Art Deco dotted cobbled streets, where the capital, Riga, reveals a host of memorable surprises...

  • Sun, Sea & Smugness: Last-minute Mediterranean Breaks

    Not got around to booking a summer holiday? It’s never too late – boutique hotel experts Mr & Mrs Smith have unearthed some of the most stylish spots on the Mediterranean, all with rooms still available. Luxed-up Italian farmhouses, rural Andalucian hideaways and cliff-side Greek Island retreats – all you need to do is choose.

  • Och Aye The New

    With Armani Hotels threatening to take over Milan and Dubai (alongside Cavalli’s eponymous club) and Tommy Hilfiger in the "conceptual" stage of building his own brand of hotels, Missoni have gone all Celtic on us.

SUBSCRIBE

get your daily fix