Le Meridien Piccadilly has left the Marriott portfolio and will be rebranded as The Dilly early next year.

The historic property originally opened as The Piccadilly Hotel in 1908, before being bought by Le Meridien in 1986, a brand which was purchased by Starwood in 2005 (and then joined the Marriott portfolio following its merger with Starwood in 2016).

Current owner Archer Hotel Capital said that it had made the decision to operate the hotel as an independent property following the expiration of its management contract with Marriott International. Going forward the hotel will be managed by Axiom Hospitality on behalf of Archer Hotel Capital.

The 283-room hotel – which is currently undergoing renovation works – features an underground swimming pool, a health club and spa with squash courts, seven meeting rooms, and food and beverage outlets including The Terrace.

Guy Pasley-Tyler, Director Portfolio and Fund Management at Archer Hotel Capital, said that as the first hotel in the Archer portfolio to be operated independently “the transition and rebrand of The Dilly will be our renewed focus with immediate improvements to include a new exterior design to the entrance of the hotel and lobby refurbishment, plus an on-going bedroom re-design”.

Meanwhile The Dilly Hotel’s general manager, James Olivier commented:

“When you explore everything that makes a location the place to be for business or pleasure, or simply to recharge, this is it –  London’s epicentre, Piccadilly Circus and a meeting point known throughout the world.  Our hotel’s very name is memorable, playful and ultimately inspired by our address in the centre of London on Piccadilly – We Are London.”

“The Dilly has a unique and colourful past. It was part of London’s Edwardian society and it embraced diversity throughout the 20th century; it also has a special place the history of the area and Piccadilly in particular.

“As a newly independent hotel, we are able to bring new life to this heritage building, celebrate its past, preserve its romance and tell its stories to deliver a true London experience to every guest.”