A former courthouse, bank and a historic lodge in London and Manchester have been transformed into luxury boutique hotels, and they are injecting a serious dose of glamour into their neighbourhoods. Even celebrities are lining up to book a room at these UK properties.
Housed in the former Old Street Magistrates’ Court and police station, a historic Grade II listed baroque-style building, the latest hotel in the city belies its past. Its location in the heart of London’s colourful Shoreditch neighbourhood is enough to put it on the hipster map. With its blend of West London glamour and East London sass, Courthouse Shoreditch seems like the perfect base from where you can explore the city’s coolest shops, nightlife and eateries. Besides cosy guest rooms, it also features a cinema, which screens indie movies, a two-lane bowling alley (above) and three bars – including a rooftop hangout.
Tip: The ultimate hipster ‘hood, Shoreditch, has scores of shopping, dining and drinking options. Eat freshly made burritos and steak sandwiches at Pump Street Food Market, or browse local urban brands at Boxpark, a reused shipping-container marketplace. The area is also known for its vibrant street-art scene.
See: This old power station in London that’s been converted into a cool art space
If you want to know where Manchester’s well-heeled set hangs out, head to the city’s hottest new hotel in the business district. Occupying a former bank building, Hotel Gotham has an art deco style that harks back to the days when Manchester was a leading manufacturing hub, and its current incarnation is a nod to the reinvigoration the city is experiencing. The property’s Club Brass, for members, is so named because this is where the city’s top brass – its entrepreneurs, tycoons, creatives and stars – go when they want to unwind. And it’s not easy to get to. Styled like a Prohibition-era speakeasy, the club has two vault-like doors that guests have to pass through before they can order cocktails. It’s open only to members and guests staying at the hotel.
Tip: Explore the flourishing art scene in the city at such venues as the Manchester Art Gallery, which offers free activities for children. For those who prefer sports, head to Old Trafford Museum (home of Manchester United Football Club) and National Football Museum, which boasts interactive features such as a penalty shootout challenge and a chance to record your own match commentary.
While this hotel in the upscale Mayfair neighbourhood isn’t exactly new – it first opened in 1851 and recently underwent a £14 million (US$18.5 million) refurbishment – the renovated property has plush new interiors befitting its location. In the past, celebrities such as Harrison Ford and musicians Nicole Scherzinger and Gary Barlow have been spotted at Flemings Mayfair (above). Come September, foodies can look forward to the fine-dining restaurant Ormer Mayfair by celebrity chef Shaun Rankin, who is taking his Jersey-based Michelin-star restaurant Ormer to London. The Mayfair neighbourhood, which is undergoing a cultural rejuvenation with new art galleries setting up shop there, is worth exploring.
Tip: Visit the nearby Buckingham Palace for the mandatory photo opportunity or take a short stroll to Green Park for a picnic. Surrounded by iconic luxury stores such as Selfridges, Harrods and Harvey Nichols, the area also offers plenty of retail therapy. For a bit of indie and vintage shopping, head to the nearby Portobello Market, where fashion stylists hang out to spot the next up-and-coming designer.
An adapted version first appeared in Silverkris.
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