When The Westbury Hotel closed its doors two years ago, the news sent ripples across the hospitality sector. Situated in the ultra-exclusive Mayfair district of London, a stone’s throw from leafy Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace, everyone was asking the same question: what next for the glamorous hotel? Now, the wait to find out is finally over. Following an extensive $122m transformation, the property is set to reopen in 2023 as St. Regis’ very first UK outpost.
With a portfolio of nearly 50 hotels scattered across the globe in locations from Bali to Istanbul, we’ve all been wondering when the iconic brand would put down roots in Britain. On Thursday, Marriott International announced it had signed a management agreement with Cola Holdings and The Westbury Hotel Ltd to bring the legendary St. Regis hotel to Mayfair, London – a fitting home for the brand’s long-anticipated UK debut.
“This is a pivotal moment for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts as we bring this cherished brand to the United Kingdom,” said George Fleck, vice president and global brand leader at St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “St. Regis offers an exquisite experience inspired by the exceptional private retreats of its founding family, the Astors, whose commitment to excellence, sophisticated style and passion for innovation continue to define the guest experience today.”
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“We are delighted to bring the brand’s timeless legacy, cherished traditions and bespoke service to one of the finest addresses in London and look forward to becoming the city’s most glamorous destination for locals and travelers alike,” he continued.
The London outpost is slated to welcome guests from next year, offering the brand’s much-loved signature St. Regis butler service to assist visitors with packing and garment pressing during their stay. But first, the hotel will undergo an impressive refurbishment with the addition of a brand new eighth floor and extension to the rear of the property to create enhanced communal areas.
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On reopening, the hotel will boast 196 elegant suites and rooms designed by Peter Newman-Earp of Morrison Design with sumptuous interiors from Richmond International. Ensuring guests have ample entertainment, a signature restaurant, speakeasy jazz bar, fitness center and spa are also being added to the property.
Honoring the building’s heritage, the iconic Polo Bar will be retained – an opulent space originally designed for the Phipps family (avid polo players and founders of The Westbury Hotel in London). Here, guests will be able to enjoy a local twist on the St. Regis’ celebrated signature Bloody Mary cocktail, created by famed barman Fernand Petiot in the 1930s at the hotel’s New York outpost.
The property joins 16 other hotels currently being operated by Marriott International under the St. Regis brand across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Reflecting on the project, vice president for international hotel development at Marriott International, Paul Thomas, said: “London is a highly sought-after market for luxury travelers and this landmark signing underscores our commitment to growing Marriott International’s dynamic portfolio in strategic destinations.”
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