The Beaumont undergoes soft refurbishment
When The Beaumont throws open its doors again in August, returning guests will discover that the Mayfair hotel has undergone a gentle evolution during its enforced, 18-month closure as a result the pandemic.
Along with a new bar, lounge and al fresco dining terrace, the property’s Art Deco interiors have been rethought by New York-based designer Thierry Despont and London-based architects ReardonSmith.
As part of the refurbishment, the hotel’s 20th century art collection has been carefully restored and rehung, but guests will find new pieces too, thanks to a number of acquisitions that have been added to the display.
The areas that have been refashioned or newly created as part of Thierry Despont’s refurbishment include:
Le Magritte Bar
Ernest Hemingway, F Scott Fitzgerald, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra would have felt right at home in Le Magritte, which draws inspiration from the bars that took 1920’s Paris and London by storm. Relocated and redesigned as a 30-seater standalone bar, it specialises in bourbons, American whiskies and cocktails, from jazz-age classics to Sinatra’s favourite Rusty Nail. Backlit alabaster columns frame the entrance, which opens directly off the main lobby; the seductive interior is entirely lined with European fiddleback cherrywood and centres on the leather-topped ebony bar, behind which hangs the Magritte that gives the room its name.
The Lounge
The former bar space at the very heart of the hotel has undergone a dramatic transformation to become a relaxed, intimate all-day dining space, very much taking cues from the 1926 origins of the building. With its bespoke walnut-framed sofas and mahogany tub chairs, it’s the ideal spot to enjoy afternoon tea to live piano music on the baby grand, read a book, have a light lunch or dinner, or end the day with a post-dinner drink.
The Terrace
This new space offers al fresco dining for the first time at The Beaumont, on the sheltered outdoor terrace facing Brown Hart Gardens. With 1920s-style rattan armchairs and café tables enfolded by greenery, The Terrace will serve a light menu from 8am to 11pm, and can be covered and heated in colder weather.
The Colony Grill
The glamorous grill room has kept its clubby Twenties New York atmosphere, but now has new murals and artworks, while its much-loved banquettes have been freshly reupholstered in deep red Italian leather. Meanwhile The Beaumont’s new Head Chef, Ben Boeynaems, has revisited its menu of transatlantic dishes, salads, shellfish, grills and steaks, with a focus on using mainly seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
The Mayfair Suite
As part of the refurbishment, Thierry Despont has created an entirely new suite on the first floor overlooking Brown Hart Gardens. The Mayfair Suite has the flexibility to be reconfigured with one or two bedrooms, and takes its inspiration from the Art Deco style of the hotel, coupling a warm colour palette and custom-made furniture. It also features a large sitting room that is ideal for remote working or relaxing after a busy day.
The Lobby
The lobby will retain its intimate feel, including its distinctive chequerboard floor and cherrywood panelling, but Thierry Despont’s redesign softens the floor-to-ceiling windows with gold-on-ivory Pierre Frey curtains, while the mahogany-shell sofas have been reupholstered in ‘Ellington’, a playful jazz-age velour fabric, accompanied by matching armchairs in honey-coloured chenille and lounge chairs covered in antique leather.
The Spa
With its shimmering black and white marble mosaics intact, the spa now benefits from the enlargement of the gym and the addition of an extra treatment room – taking the total to four – as well as the enhancement of the existing steam room, sauna, cold plunge pool and traditional warmed marble hamam massage table.
Originally opened in 2014, The Beaumont embodies the spirit of the grand hotels of 1920’s London and New York yet on an intimate scale, with just 50 rooms and 22 suites and studios. Set on a quiet garden square, it has established an enviable reputation for its friendly service as well as its elegant accommodation.
