City overview: London awaits exciting Raffles, Six Senses and Rosewood hotels [Infographic]

Raffles London at The OWO

Stunning schemes from three of the world’s top luxury brands are among the 100 projects in London’s pipeline, according to the TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database.

Our dedicated researchers report that the UK capital will welcome 100 schemes with a total of 17,919 rooms in the coming years.

Four-star hotel developments proving popular

London may be internationally renowned for its love of luxury – particularly in well-heeled areas like Mayfair, Westminster, Belgravia, Chelsea and Kensington – but there are actually almost twice as many four-star projects in the works as there are five-star developments. We’ve found that 63 schemes with 10,613 keys are targeting the four-star market, with just 37 properties and 7,306 rooms focusing on the luxury five-star sphere.

A lot of this planned activity is still a long way from coming to fruition too. In total, 38 projects with 6,814 keys are scheduled to be ready this year, with an additional 20 schemes and 3,073 rooms following a year later. However, ten hotels with 2,356 keys won’t come online until 2024, and the remainder (32 properties, 5,676 rooms) have been mooted for completion in 2025 and beyond.

Raffles, Six Senses and Rosewood head to London

Our pick as London’s most exciting hotel opening this year, Raffles London at The OWO is currently under construction with a view to making its debut in Q4 2022. Occupying a vast grade II*-listed Edwardian building designed by British architect William Young near the likes of 10 Downing Street and Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, the Old War Office famously inspired novelist Ian Fleming to write the James Bond series and has appeared in numerous films, including No Time To Die, Spectre, Skyfall, Licence to Kill and Octopussy. EPR Architects is working on the sensitive restoration of the complex, which will feature 120 rooms and suites designed by Thierry Despont, 85 Raffles-branded residences brought to life by 1508 London, an expansive wellness concept, and 11 restaurants and bars – not least a fine-dining venue and a brasserie with a twist by Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco.

Another standout refurbishment scheme is Six Senses London, which will see the art deco former Whiteleys department store in Bayswater reimagined ahead of its projected Q3 2023 debut. Currently being built, it’ll incorporate 110 rooms and suites, 14 branded residences, 3,500 sq ft of fitness space, a 65 ft indoor pool and F&B facilities. Foster + Partners is behind the architectural design, while the interiors are by AvroKO in collaboration with executive architect EPR Architects.

Last but not least, The Chancery Rosewood is being pencilled in for a Q1 2024 launch in a landmark Mayfair building on Grosvenor Square that formerly housed the US Embassy. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ new outpost will feature 139 rooms and suites, an Asaya wellness facility, five shops, and a host of meeting and event spaces including a 750-guest ballroom. David Chipperfield Architects has been tasked with the architectural restoration work on this under-construction scheme, with Joseph Dirand Architecture handling the interiors.

Many TOPHOTELNEWS articles draw on exclusive information from the TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database. This subscription-based product includes details of thousands of hotel projects around the world, along with the key decision-makers behind them. Please note, our data may differ from records held by other organisations. Generally, the database focuses on four- and five-star schemes of significant scale; tracks projects in either the vision, pre-planning, planning, under-construction, pre-opening or newly opened phase; and covers newbuilds, extensions, refurbishments and conversions.

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