The Academy to join Small Luxury Hotels of the World

The 50-bedroom Academy hotel in London's Bloomsbury is to become a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World marketing consortium in April following a multimillion-pound refurbishment.

The hotel, which is located across five Georgian townhouses, was one of three properties acquired by Malaysian-based YTL Hotels in September 2016, alongside the Glasshouse hotel in Edinburgh and Monkey Island in Bray, Berkshire.

New York-based designer Alexandra Champalimaud is overseeing the hotel's redesign, having previously worked with YTL Hotels on the company's Bath property, the Gainsborough Bath Spa, which was named AA Hotel of the Year (England) 2017-18. The interiors are inspired by the Bloomsbury Set, who lived and worked in the area in the early 20th century.

The hotel will feature the Refectory, a breakfast room and function space; the Alchemy bar and Mr Ma's Tea House Spa, which will offer Asian therapies.

The 30-bedroom Monkey Island estate is also undergoing a refurbishment headed by Champalimaud, and will re-open in the spring.

New hotel openings to watch for in 2018 >>

YTL acquires London Threadneedles hotel for around £40m >>

YTL expands UK portfolio with three hotel acquisitions >>

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