After an 18-month closure, The Carlton Tower hotel has been completely transformed by a £100-million refurbishment, the most extensive transformation in its history.
Every last inch of the 17-storey hotel has been completely redesigned, with a sophisticated new foyer and reception, the rebooted The Peak Fitness Club and Spa that boasts London’s largest naturally lit swimming pool, the ballroom and meeting rooms, plus the elegantly upgraded lobby bar and lounge, and Al Mare, a new destination restaurant from head chef Marco Calenzo.
Overlooking Sloane Street, when The Carlton Tower first opened in 1961, it was London’s first tower hotel. Designed by Henry End (who was also responsible for the interiors of the Plaza Hotel in New York), it was celebrated for being the tallest building in London at the time, becoming one of the city’s key landmarks.
Everyone came to stay: film stars, rock stars, socialites and royalty. It was a magnet for the international glitterati, who all came to play surrounded by the opulence and glamour of the hotel. This lavish new look spells the return of The Carlton Tower hotel to its former standing as the place to stay, play (or both!) in London.
Esteemed interior and architecture design studio 1508 London drew on the hotel’s glamorous heritage and location to create a modern classic with a timeless interior that respects the building’s original, clean modernist style.
The hotel’s former 216 keys have been reduced in number to make 186 more spacious rooms and suites, designed with an emphasis on light and space, using British heritage hues of deep blue, green and maroon. Bathrooms feature floor-to-ceiling marble with toiletries by Grown Alchemist.
Almost half of the rooms and suites have balconies with views across London and Cadogan Place Gardens, normally only accessible to local residents but accessible to The Carlton Tower hotel guests during their stay.
Chinoiserie, the hotel’s beloved lounge and dining area, has returned with a fresh new look, serving cakes and pastries throughout the day, alongside a menu of international favourites and an extensive drinks list.
Meanwhile, the newly created lobby bar offers a refined environment in which to enjoy a cocktail.
Head chef Marco Calenzo, an Italian native and former Zuma executive chef, is at the helm of Al Mare, the hotel’s new destination restaurant. Serving Italian dishes both familiar and surprising, with a focus on seafood, the restaurant features a theatre kitchen, private dining room and al fresco dining.
