Westbury Mayfair to relaunch under St Regis brand next year

The Westbury Mayfair hotel in London will relaunch under Marriott International’s St Regis Hotels & Resorts brand next year, which will see the brand return to the UK market.

Announcing the news this afternoon, Marriott’s EMEA president Satya Anand said the property would blend the “best of British style and service” following a £90m redevelopment, including the addition of an eighth floor to the property. The Lanesborough in London was previously a St Regis-branded hotel.

“I’m really excited to see this brand come to London,” said Anand. He also said the hotel would reopen with “vibrant and buzzing social spaces”.

The hotel held an auction of more than 8,000 items including furniture, artwork, commercial kitchen equipment and wine stock last year ahead of refurbishing the 225-bedroom property.

The hotel is expected to open with a reduced room count of 196 rooms and suites, which will be designed by Peter Newman-Earp of Morrison Design with interiors by Richmond International. The property will also be extended at the rear of the hotel, creating enhanced public areas, along with renovations to the façade of the building and the drop-off area outside of main entrance. Plans include a signature restaurant, a speakeasy jazz bar, a fitness centre and spa.

The St Regis London will retain the hotel's Polo bar, originally designed for the Phipps family of America, avid polo players and creators of the Westbury hotels in both New York and London.

Paul Thomas, vice president, international hotel development, Marriott International, said: “London is a highly sought-after market for luxury travellers and this landmark signing underscores our commitment to growing Marriott International’s dynamic portfolio in strategic destinations.”

George Fleck, vice president and global brand leader, St Regis Hotels & Resorts, added: “This is a pivotal moment for St Regis Hotels & Resorts as we bring this cherished brand to the United Kingdom. St Regis offers an exquisite experience inspired by the exceptional private retreats of its founding family, the Astors, whose commitment to excellence, sophisticated style, and passion for innovation continue to define the guest experience today.”

The hotel is owned by Cola Holdings and previously operated under Marriott’s Luxury Collection soft brand. The group originally planned to sell the five-AA-starred hotel and brought the property market in 2020.

Cola Holdings' UK hotel portfolio also includes the 706-bedroom Holiday Inn London Kensington High Street and the 603-bedroom Hilton London Kensington hotel.

The news follows the launch of Marriott’s first UK Westin hotel last month in the City of London. Marriott has 16 properties open under the St Regis brand across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

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