A couple of weeks ago Field Grey checked in to the Mondrian Hotel on London’s South Bank for a much needed night of R&R.
The Mondrian, part of the Morgan Hotel chain, is situated in the recently renovated Sea Containers House at Blackfriars. It opened with much fan fare in September last year. The building itself was conceived as a hotel, but its prime location in close proximity to the city and the area of Blackfriars made it ripe for office space. The Morgan group acquired the building in 2011 to revert it to its original intention and it is absolutely wonderful.
The building’s striking and contemporary design, led by British designer Tom Dixon, combines cruise ship glamour (influenced by the building’s history) with ultra-modern flare. The hotel’s reception is an enormous copper wall with a Zaha Hadid flavour – we were greeted by the reception staff and obviously took a good look at their uniforms. The concierge wear bold geometric sweaters in pastel colours and assisting staff wear breton stripes.
Unashamed luxury awaits each guest in their rooms. Tom Dixon’s has transformed each room with his unique contemporary style; each space, from a standard room to a riverside suite, has modern flare associated with the group’s boutique status. Dixon’s design aesthetic dominated the riverside suite we stayed in: the enormous bed featured a geometric Tom Dixon throw and we fought every urge to roll it up and sneak it into our luggage. Themes like copper and brass (a marriage of Dixon’s vision and the influence of the building’s past) echo through the hotel and the rooms are no exception. Brass door handles, brass motifs, sculptural metal chairs, a voluminous brass lampshade are teamed with welcome bursts of bold colours like magenta and purple.
After some time absorbing the breathtaking view and enjoying the luxurious comfort of the suite, we ordered room service – a feast of burgers and fish dishes, which, as expected, were delicious. A quick drink in the Rumpus Room, a rooftop bar that affords stunning views of the capital, made us ready to climb into bed. The Rumpus Room is open to the general public, and the hotel restaurant serves modern British cuisine that will draw tourists and locals alike.
When we returned to our room the bed had been turned down and the balcony had been peppered with tea lights in lanterns. The Thames is one of the best locations for a London sunset and the balcony was prime for a good view of that particular evening’s. A wonderful experience at a sure hot spot.
For more information about the Mondrian, visit the Morgan group’s website. Images by Matt Bramford for Field Grey.