Located in the heart of buzzing Paddington, Grand Hotel Bellevue (opened April 2024) is an elegant Victorian residence spanning five floors of a listed Victorian townhouse overlooking the peaceful greenery of Norfolk Square. Exuding all of the warmth and comfort of an English home, it is the first British property by French group, Lignée, with both hotel and interiors designed by Paris-based architect, Fabrizio Casiraghi, one of the most talented architects of his generation.
Design
A sophisticated use of lacquered dark wood and traditional decorative elements are a nod to the more classical side of the hotel’s design, while bold colour choices and quirky details represent the stronger creative identity of the other half. In the hotel lobby, furniture comprises a mix of bespoke pieces and antique finds evocative of a traditional English home, while a bold orange hue chosen for the walls lends a contemporary energy to the space.
Rooms
This theme of visual contrasts continues in the rooms, where a vintage feel is combined with a more contemporary approach. Material choices and colour palettes further enhance the decor: each room combines bespoke furnishings in dark wood with matching carpets and curtains in muted tones, while the same shades are replicated in their bolder version across the sleek tiles in the bathrooms, in a palette of alternating green, orange and blue. The most compact of the hotel’s offerings, the cabin rooms (available as single or double) are inspired by boat cabins, offering a comfortable and functional space for guests. The larger lodgings include the classic rooms, imagined as a peaceful sanctuary, and the superior, on the upper floors, defined by high ceilings that nod to the Victorian architecture and luxury heritage of the building, and expertly crafted, vintage-inspired wooden wardrobes. Deluxe rooms are characterised by traditional sash windows and super king-size beds, while the spacious executive rooms accommodate up to three guests.
Pondicherry Bar
The energetic spirit of the Grand Hotel Bellevue culminates in the Pondicherry Bar. 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 represents the eclectic spirit of the hotel and the duality that defines it in its entirety. Inspired by the British connections to India, the deep blue tapestry is adorned with motifs that nod to South Asia, with elephants and tigers as well as men dressed in traditional garb, adding a rich element of colour to the space.
Grand Hotel Bellevue London rates start from £145 per night on a bed and breakfast
W: Grand Hotel Bellevue London
Photos credited to Matthieu Salvaing and Ballal Taright