May 22nd, 2008
Witty British bolthole
Country-house charm meets London sophistication at this centrally located boutique hotel right on Piccadilly Circus. Kit Kemp’s quirkily colourful interiors, original artwork, an eye-popping indoor pool-cum-bar and a made-for-peoplewatching restaurant make the Haymarket Hotel a lavish and relaxing base from which to explore the city’s world-class theatres, shops and galleries. The 50‑room hotel prides itself on all of its sleeping salons having a unique personality and each room has its own palette of hues and patterns. This is no temple to minimalism: fresh colours and textures abound, not to mention old and antique furniture of various shapes and sizes, and textiles are used in an original combinations: such as contemporary chintz of the curtains, candy‑striped cushions and boldly upholstered padded headboards. Deluxe doubles facing the courtyard are romantic, or for wonderful views of London’s rooftops, get one of the smaller top-floor rooms; 402 has low-slung windows, giving it a first-class Haymarket vista. Junior Suite 100 has outdoor decking.
Hotel restaurant
Bravely patterned and vividly-coloured Brumus Bar & Restaurant provides European brasserie classics, care of Roger Sergent’s sleek kitchen brigade.
Top table
Select a cosy tables in the bar area; at night, a window seat is fun, but in daylight you might feel on view.
Room service
Available 24 hours a day.
Hotel bar
During the day, the bar provides a place to pause for a cappuccino, or after the sun is past the yard arm, a few Haymarket Cosmos or Brumus Margaritas. Doors close at 11.45, but those in situ can carry on regardless till 1am
Rooms
50, including 17 suites, and a separate two- to five-bedroom townhouse.
Rates
Doubles, £250–£310; Junior suites, £385; superior suites, from £1,750 up to £4,500 for a two- to five-bedroom townhouse. Rates exclude VAT and breakfast (£18.50 a person).
Check-out
11am, although this is flexible. Earliest check-in, 2pm.
Facilities
Pool, gym, treatment room, library, valet parking. In rooms, minibar, flatscreen TV and DVD player, CD player and iPod dock, WiFi (£20 for 24 hours), Miller Harris toiletries.
There aren’t many hotels in London that boast an 18-metre indoor pool as impressive as this one (if at all). It’s open on Fridays to non-residents when it becomes a hotspot with live DJs.
This hotel overview and images are courtesy of the boutique hotel experts at Mr & Mrs Smith
To book and for more information about Haymarket CLICK HERE or call the Smith Travel Team on 0845 034 0700/ 020 8987 4312

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