London Calling: The Connaught Unveils Glamorous New Suites

Forbes

3 days ago

The Grosvenor Suite at The Connaught, London The Connauaght
'They couldn't tell what had been done, and implied it looked as though it had always been there,' recalled Guy Oliver of officials' reactions to the substantial renovation and expansion of London's Connaught hotel, which was revealed in 2009. 'I took it as a compliment.' Oliver is owner and managing director of the London-based design company Oliver Laws, and was tasked with that massive overhaul of the historic property.
When updates were needed, the hotel, under new ownership, tapped him again. This time Oliver, who once was executive vice president of design and development for André Balazs properties in New York, was tasked with working his discrete magic on 86 heritage rooms and suites in the original hotel, as well as 29 rooms and suites in the new west wing (which also houses the Aman spa). This latest intervention took place in stages over the course of about three years, with the final phase completed a few months ago. And again, many may not immediately notice. 'The Connaught has many regular guests. They don't want to be disturbed too much aesthetically,' he observed. 'Any changes needed to feel like it was ever thus, but in a calm way, and make them feel like they are still at home.'
The Connaught Suites feature a calming color palette. The Connaught
Said guests include a host of bold-faced names, from celebrities to royalty, heads of state, and the likes of Ralph Lauren (who was so taken with the property's grand staircase he strove to recreate it in his Madison Avenue flagship).
The staircase at The Connaught Richard Booth
No two rooms are alike; each is completely unique. Most occupy their original footprint but, in some cases, two were combined to create new, larger suites. All are clad with artwork from the hotel's 3,000 piece collection which covers a breadth of eras and mediums; contemporary works include pieces by Damien Hirst, Louise Bourgeois, Julian Opie and Barbara Hepworth (although the aforementioned artist's works are hung in public spaces, not rooms).
The sitting room in one of the new Connaught Suites. Rima Suqi
Notable newcomers include a pair of Sutherland Suites, named after the British modernist painter Graham Sutherland, who lived and painted in the hotel for eight years (and whose wife is rumored to currently inhabit the premises, albeit in ghostly form). Each was decorated in 'English stately home style,' with soaring drawing room ceilings, hand-blown English glass chandeliers, hand-carved furniture, ornate bookcases and, in one suite, a rare 1909 Steinway Model B piano that once belonged to renowned Polish composer Wladyslaw Szpilman, whose story inspired the 2002 film The Pianist.
The Sutherland Suite features a a rare Steinway piano that once belonged to renowned Polish composer Wladyslaw Szpilman, whose story inspired the 2002 film The Pianist. The Connaught
There are also five one-bedroom Connaught suites overlooking Carlos Place and/or Mount Street, lined with some of the best luxury shopping in the city (including jeweler Jessica McCormack, who collaborated with Nicolas Rouzaud on a limited-edition confection, available at the Rouzaud's on-site patisserie). All have separate sitting rooms boasting ornate chandeliers, fireplaces, and a cocktail cabinet that, it turns out, is the hotel version of 'shopping your closet.'
A Chinoiserie Cabinet cleverly hides the mini bar. The Connaught
Guy Oliver explains: 'the hotel had over 30 antique chinoiserie cabinets that I converted into bars. Originally they sat on gilded tables, which are now consoles with marble tops that are scattered throughout the hotel. We had special bases made for the cabinets, and commissioned an artist to do all the lacquer. It's a slightly quirky detail, but that's part of the identity of The Connaught.'
The antique Chinoiserie cabinet that hides the mini bar. The Connaught
Many suites retain heritage details, including original decorative millwork and moldings. Some sitting rooms have window seats where one can enjoy a glass of bubbly (a complimentary bottle of Billecart-Salmon greets suite guests upon arrival) while watching the stylish set stroll by. From that spot, or several others in the suite, one might notice other details like the embroidery on the curtains, the thoughtfully chosen leather-bound books that line the shelves, the elegant built-ins concealing more closet space than one is accustomed to in a hotel, the dedicated space for blow-drying one's hair (which, in the UK, one cannot do in the bathroom), and refreshingly uncomplicated lighting. Oliver jokes that the new suites 'feel authentic, like you're in a country house where everything works.'
A sitting room with window seat offers a wonderful perch from which to observe the neighborhood. The Connaught
But of course there's more, namely new in-suite experiences available to those who book these recently restored spaces. From a complimentary chilled martini mixed at The Connaught Bar and delivered by one's butler at whatever time suits, to in-room treatments from the Aman Spa's wellness team, shoe shine service from John Lobb, and access to a selection of classic films featuring Hollywood stars who were guests of the hotel, from Lauren Bacall and Grace Kelly to Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty.
In the end, Oliver references the 'what did you do here?' feedback he received years ago, as it applies to this recent intervention. 'Well, everything,' he admits. 'But in a way that has a continuity with the past, that hopefully feels like a fresher take.'
The Connaught is on Carlos Place in Mayfair. View and book the new suites here.