Grand Hotel Bellevue has opened in London – a 60-key boutique hotel and the first British property by French group Lignée Hotels.

Designed by Paris-based architect Fabrizio Casiraghi, the hotel occupies five floors of a listed Victorian townhouse that faces the peaceful greenery of Norfolk Square. Interiors have been conceived as an intimate home merging quintessentially British design codes and a dynamic spirit. The architect was inspired by the contrast between the elegant façade of the house and the location itself – in a neighbourhood in constant evolution – to develop the interior design scheme.

The townhouse is imagined as the London residence of an eclectic couple, a narrative that was Casiraghi’s starting point for the design identity of the hotel. The story goes that an aristocratic Englishman and his eccentric, globetrotting wife took over the home, decorating it by merging their taste and aesthetics throughout. A sophisticated use of lacquered dark wood and traditional decorative elements nod to the more classic side of the design, while bold colour choices and quirky details represent the creative identity of the other half.

Guests are welcomed into the hotel via the lobby, which sets the tone for the property’s aesthetic. The furniture, a mix of bespoke pieces and antique finds, includes a sofa facing the reception desk and surrounded by dark boiserie, while the bold orange hue chosen for the walls gives a contemporary energy to the space.

This theme of visual contrasts continues in the guestrooms, where a vintage feel is mixed with a more modern approach. In each room, bespoke furniture in dark wood is elegantly combined with complementing carpets and curtains in muted tones, while the same shades are replicated in their bolder hue across the sleek tiles in the bathrooms, in a palette of alternating green, orange and blue.

The same style continues across the hotel’s rooms, all characterised by natural light and original architectural features. The most compact of the hotel’s offerings, the Cabin Rooms, are inspired by boat cabins, offering a comfortable and functional space for guests. The larger lodgings of the hotel include the Classic Rooms, whilst the Superior suites, occupying the upper floors, nod to the Victorian architecture and luxury heritage of the building, with their high ceilings and crafted timber furniture.

Finally, the Grand Norfolk Suite represents the combination of British tradition and eccentrics at its finest, featuring high ceilings, large French windows and views over the square below. All rooms are equipped with amenities by Floris cosmetics, while additional wellness experiences can take place at the NOHrD Fitness Studio.

The spirit of the Grand Hotel Bellevue culminates in the Pondicherry Bar. Located on the ground floor opposite the lobby, the space connects directly to the city whilst maintaining an intimate feel. For this space, Casiraghi chose a bold palette with a bright yellow tone on the walls, offset by the rich tapestries created in collaboration with American fashion designer Emily Bode. Wrapping around the entire room, their design best represents the eclectic spirit of the hotel.

CREDITS
Photography: © Billal Taright