BACKGROUND The capital’s second Intercontinental – the first being on Park Lane – had its soft opening at the end of November and opens officially this month.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Housed in the 19th-century Queen Anne’s Chambers on Broadway, the 256-room property is a luxurious, well-equipped hotel, as you would expect from Intercontinental. But what sets it apart is its adventurous art collection, inspired by the Westminster location. Step into the lobby and you will see Tom Clark’s large resin sculpture of a worker climbing a ladder while carrying a mini Houses of Parliament in his hod – inspired by the notion of the corrupting influence of power. Next to reception is one of Chris Levine’s holographic photographs of the Queen, while in the glamorous lobby lounge is “The House Always Wins,” a fantastic plastic and resin sculpture by UK artists Evil Ed and Dan Robotic, featuring toy heroes and villains squaring up across the Commons floor, with Guy Fawkes lurking underneath.
The restaurant and bar feature an array of political cartoons by Martin Rowson, Gerald Scarfe and Peter Brooks, and figurines by Simon Bingle of the likes of Boris Johnson on his bike. The theme extends to the guestroom door signs, with snoozing backbenchers on the “do not disturb” side and Lady Thatcher with a duster on the cleaning side. It gives the hotel a fun, satirical edge, though the Intercontinental essentials haven’t been forgotten, with a smart concierge lounge inside the entrance, plenty of welcoming staff and a sleek Club lounge.
WHERE IS IT? On Broadway, facing St James’s Park tube station. Victoria station is a short walk away.
ROOM FACILITIES Categories are Classic (from 25 sqm), Superior (from 28 sqm), Executive (from 30 sqm), Club (30-36 sqm), Studio suite (36-45 sqm), one-bedroom suite (46-50 sqm) and Penthouse (113 sqm). They have neutral colour schemes with silver touches, free wifi and bottled water, high-tech TVs, media hubs, international plug sockets, king-size beds, robes, safes, Nespresso machines, tea facilities (fresh milk is provided) and minibars (free in suites). The marble bathrooms are fitted with Bose speakers. Almost all have separate tubs and showers and, depending on category, Agraria, Molton Brown or Miller Harris toiletries.
Each guestroom features one of six “Corridors of Power” artworks by Julian Bray, while the subtle thumbprint design in the carpet is a reference to New Scotland Yard around the corner. My Studio suite was peaceful, comfortable and spacious. The rainshower was excellent, though I would have liked somewhere to hang my towel and a full-length mirror. The view was of surrounding rooftops, with the top of the London Eye and Westminster Abbey visible. Some rooms also look internally. Guests in Club rooms and suites have access to the Club lounge, which offers free breakfast, all-day drinks and snacks, and evening alcoholic drinks and canapés.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS On the ground floor is the Blue Boar Smokehouse and Bar – the restaurant “takes inspiration from the best American pit masters”, while the bar has a smart pub feel and a lively buzz on the evening I visited. I enjoyed the ribs (£8 as a starter), sautéed wild mushrooms and crispy duck egg on toast (£8) and pulled rare breed pork served with thyme batch rolls, smoky bacon baked beans, coleslaw and pickles (£15). An à la carte breakfast is served here. Emmeline’s is a champagne and cocktail bar that can be hired for 70 people.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES These comprise the Whitehall suite, which is divisible by four and holds 250 delegates theatre-style, and three smaller rooms, one of which is a boardroom with dual video-conferencing technology. A business centre was set to open imminently as we went to press.
LEISURE FACILITIES A gym was also set to open imminently.
VERDICT An excellent addition to Intercontinental’s portfolio. The rooms and facilities are of high quality, the artworks are great fun and the bar will please the area’s work crowd, as well as hotel guests.
Fact file
- HOW MANY ROOMS? 256 – 36 Classic, 141 Superior, ten Executive, 24 Club, 30 Studio suites, 14 one-bedroom suites and one Penthouse.
- HIGHLIGHTS The art collection and buzzy Blue Boar bar.
- PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in March started from £239 (opening rate) for a Classic room.
- CONTACT Intercontinental London Westminster, 22-28 Broadway; tel +44 (0)20 3301 8080; ichotelsgroup.com
Michelle Mannion
