Cateys 2017: Hotel of the Year – Independent, The Beaumont

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The founders of the hotel, Chris Corbin and Jeremy King, are, of course, renowned for operating some of London's perennially busy restaurants, including the Wolseley, the Delaunay and Colbert, among their six-strong portfolio.

While there was no guarantee that they would be able to inject the same successful formula that has enhanced a plethora of restaurants over the past 35 years, the judges agreed that they have done so with this hotel.

The glamour that oozes through every pore of the hotel hits you as soon as you walk into the lobby, with its stunning chequer-board black and white floor. King invented the character of fictional American hotelier Jimmy Beaumont to inform the Art Deco-inspired design, with influences from both sides of the Atlantic.

While the hotel is essentially a new build behind a facade from 1926, the feel is of a long-established property that has undergone a sympathetic and beautiful refurbishment.

King personally steered the design process and was involved in selecting art, photographs and items of furniture dating from 1895 to 1940, while ReardonSmith Architects and hotel interior specialist Richmond put his ideas into practice. The Colony Grill and the spa are as lavish as the rest of the hotel.

Comfort throughout is of the upmost importance, with specially designed beds by Sleepeezee in the majority of rooms and Naturalmat beds of organic lambs' wool in the suites. One of the suites, called Room, offers the most unusual and surreal sleep experience in London. The suite, designed by artist Antony Gormley, combines a piece of public artwork that appears on the exterior of the hotel as a crouching figure, while inside a short staircase, rising from an all-white bathroom, takes the guest into a room that is lined in fumed oak and totally blacked out.

The exceptional interiors, however, were not the only aspect of the Beaumont that charmed the judges. They were also impressed by the consistent improvement in its performance, rising from seventh out of seven hotels among its competitor set for occupancy in 2015 to second this year. And when it comes to revenue per available room, the hotel is now ranked in the top spot.

he Beaumont has also attracted extensive positive reviews in the traditional media and swiftly leapt up the TripAdvisor rankings to fourth place out of 1,066 hotels in London.

Awards have come thick and fast, culminating in the Beaumont being named AA Hotel of the Year for London in 2016. When it comes to quality, service levels and
the creation of a property that is going to be around for some considerable time, the Beaumont undoubtedly has set the bar high for all new London hotels.

What the judges said
"The Beaumont is a modern classic, a fantastic new addition to the London hotel firmament, and one that will show staying power over many years."
Andrew McKenzie

"The iconic design and warm hospitality will ensure that this is a hotel that will stand the test of time."
Danny Pecorelli

The shortlist
The Beaumont London
Northcote Langho, Lancashire
The Grove of Narberth Pembrokeshire
Yorebridge House Bainbridge, Yorkshire

The judges
Garry Baldwin, AA Hotel Services
Melvin Gold, Melvin Gold Consulting
Robin Hutson, Lime Wood Group and Home Grown Hotels
Malcolm Lewis, Longueville Manor, Jersey
Andrew McKenzie, The Vineyard, Stockcross, Berkshire
Danny Pecorelli, Exclusive Hotels and Venues
Jonathan Raggett, Red Carnation Hotels
Claire Randall, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Colerne, Wiltshire
Simon Rhatigan, Helmsley Hospitality
Andrew Thomason, Gravetye Manor, West Hoathly, Sussex