Ahead of The Carlton Tower’s reopening this Spring, following the most extensive renovation in its 60-year history, we caught up with Aaron Kaupp, Regional Vice President and General Manager at Jumeirah Group, to find out more details on the hotel’s new and improved interior scheme, wellness offer and F&B venues.

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What did Jumeirah set out to achieve with the renovation?

We have completely reinvented the hotel for a new generation of discerning guests, retaining what made The Carlton Tower so special but radically changing much of the building to ensure we offer everything today’s demanding global traveller would expect, and more. One of the key actions was to reduce the number of keys in the building to allow for more suites, as well as creating brand new dining offerings that will resonate with our guests, both local and international. The desire is to further develop our global presence and make a strong statement within the industry, and the all-encompassing renovation of our London property, creating a European flagship is testament to that ambition, something I am very proud to be a part of. A little over £100 million has been invested in this project, showcasing the brand’s commitment to the highest standards and their determination to maintain The Carlton Tower’s DNA while reinventing it at the same time.

Why was 1508 London chosen to design the new scheme?

The right designer is crucial and with today’s traveller becoming more and more sophisticated and further accustomed to being surrounded by impressive design throughout their working and private lives, this was something we knew we had to excel in. 1508 London is acknowledged as a leader in that very crowded field but most importantly the studio was founded on private residential projects and brings this perspective to bear on everything they do, and very much so in our hotel. The lessons absorbed from their work in designing private homes and the understanding about how the world’s elite live their lives filters up the creative ladder in their practice. After all, many hotels will purport to be a ‘home away from home’ and this much overused phrase is truly rather hard to justify. So who would be better than 1508, the company the world’s most successful individuals entrust to design their homes, to create their residence in London?

What was the inspiration behind the interior design concept?

The location naturally plays an extremely important role in the overall feel of the hotel and the direction given regarding the renovation. Before our guests arrive, our address in Knightsbridge and our position overlooking Sloane Street informs them that they will be staying in an important property of distinction, a prestigious London base. Once they have settled into their room or suite, they will have the joy of stepping on to their balcony and surveying either the rooftops of Belgravia, the leafy expanse of Cadogan Gardens or even to the furthest reaches of the city on our higher floors. In turn, surveying inwards, be it the public spaces or their room, guests will notice the design draws on the modernist principles of the building and the garden square which it overlooks, combing a classic contemporary style with a fauna-inspired material palette.

How important will the revitalised wellness offer be post-Covid?

A lot of people have asked me about The Peak, they are desperate for it to open! The growing importance of wellness is nothing new of course but I feel that as we come out of this pandemic, our guests and the local patrons will be even more mindful of this. As such, we have redesigned The Peak with new treatment rooms in our spa on the second floor, where guests will also find a large swimming pool with natural daylight and new poolside cabanas installed as part of its airy, elegant design. On the ninth floor, an expansive fitness space offers studio classes, and a gym overlooks a double-height cafe with views across the capital.

What can guests expect from the hotel’s new bar and dining venues?

Much of my career has been spent in France and Italy, so you can imagine that the culinary arts are a true passion of mine, personally as well as professionally. When our guests drink and dine in the hotel, they will feel part of London’s society and be surrounded by locals. All-day dining restaurant The Chinoiserie has been transformed with a light design and we have introduced the cake-o’clock concept, serving Afternoon Tea all day, as well as a range of international dishes. Brand-new meanwhile is a lobby bar offering a refined cocktail and spirits experience, and a café in The Peak providing healthy cuisine, shakes and juices.

The new flagship restaurant will be called Al Mare; we are in the heart of vibrant Knightsbridge so I knew we needed a restaurant that would stand up to what is already available in this prestigious neighbourhood. ‘Al Mare’, which translated from Italian means ‘at the sea’, will serve classic Italian dishes alongside a carefully curated wine list and artisanal cocktails. We have tapped Italian native Marco Calenzo to be the hotel’s Executive Chef and Al Mare’s Head Chef. He joins us from Zuma, where he was Executive Chef, and has previously worked for Four Seasons internationally as well as The Lanesborough in London, so he knows both the global and demanding Knightsbridge local market well. We couldn’t be happier with his appointment.

Did the pandemic result in any major changes to the refurbishment?

There have been many practical considerations that have affected our timeline of course, with construction slowing at times, supply chains affected and new safety protocols put in place on site. I am fortunate to be supported by the leadership and teams at our head office, who are as passionate as myself to create a world-class hotel. Their expertise and dedication has meant we have forged ahead despite obstacles along the way.

Safety and security around Covid-19 can only be looked upon as day-to-day and essential. We have been in this pandemic for many months now, so the correct standards and practices must be second nature. At the same time, the guest experience we offer cannot be sacrificed, we must offer the same sense of luxury, indulgence and magic that makes people return to grand hotels again and again. For example, while we had an opportunity to alter the design of our restaurant to make more efficient use of space in reference to social distancing, we chose not to – we will ensure the guidelines are followed in the space designed. We are creating a hotel for the ages too, one that will outlive the virus and as such have built it for this purpose. In practical terms, we will of course have thermal imaging cameras, the highest levels of cleaning and safety protocols, and our staff will adhere to government and medical regulations – but this is only to be expected.