London hotel gets new look

Hilton London Metropole is undergoing a major £6 million lobby transformation, revolutionising the arrival experience in one of the biggest conference and events hotels in Europe. The hotel will be the first UK property to incorporate the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brands new innovative lobby design narrative, which provides smartly designed and functionally relevant lobby spaces, for guests and locals to work, socialise and enjoy. The two phase refurbishment, designed by Aukett Fitzroy Robinson, reflects the Hilton commitment to creating engaging spaces. The completed first phase sees a new lobby bar - EDG Bar & Lounge - and Whisky Lounge, while the installation of double-height glass entrances will mark the overall completion of the project in August 2013. For the first phase the plan is to install 10 British custom-made vanilla leather and fabric suspended lights, which will form a focal point over the new double-height EDG Bar & Lounge, while stylish muted grey fabrics, with splashes of yellow, create a warm atmosphere. A feature wall behind the 20 foot long bar also forms a central part of the lobby bar and lounge design as delicate fusions of colour in night and day lighting effects are projected through cut-out sections in the wall sculpture. Free WI-FI and power sockets are available for guests. The intimate 22-cover Whisky Lounge encompasses sumptuous black and mauve-grey furnishings, with hints of dark cyan and teal. Open to guests, delegates and outside visitors, the luxurious Whisky Lounge exhibits feature lighting in the form of suspended whisky decanters, while whisky display cabinets frame and showcase a wide collection of whiskies from around the world. Phase two will focus on the installation of two double-height entrance glass doors to modernise the exterior appearance of the hotel, as well as creating a brand new entrance on Harbet Road, giving guests direct access from the taxi rank. Guests will check-in at individual pod-style desks, contrasted against a striking leather feature wall. As part of the lobby refurbishment, the mezzanine level meeting rooms will also undergo renovations, including the creation of an octagonal shaped meeting room, seating up to 18 delegates boardroom style, with floor-to-ceiling windows on six sides. An additional mezzanine meeting room will cater up to 40 delegates, taking the total meeting rooms on this level up to 11. Once complete, the refurbishment will increase the lobby floor space by 60 per cent and double the number of restaurant and bar options. Five new bedrooms will also be created, raising the hotels total number of guest rooms and suites to 1,059. Avner On, general manager at the Hilton London Metropole, said: “Hospitality requires constant innovation to be the best – this major renovation will further secure our position as one of Europe’s top conference and events hotels.” “The refurbishment will see relevant and inviting spaces that have been created for today’s busy travellers. The lobby design is visually appealing and dynamic, yet comfortable and intuitive, creating an inviting destination that seamlessly transitions from day to night, providing a social atmosphere where people come together to meet, relax, reflect, enjoy and work,” he added. Conveniently located outside of the congestion charge zone, Hilton London Metropole boasts first class conference and events facilities, including two large conference suites each with the capacity to hold 1,600 people and a third theatre style suite, which caters to 800. Located just 20 minutes from Heathrow Airport via the Heathrow Express at Paddington Station, the hotel also offers multiple restaurants, a 12.5 metre heated indoor pool, sauna and steam room.