Hotel concepts reaching new heights

Perhaps it’s the imminent arrival of Olympic onlookers (or possibly we’ve all gotten bored of our own bedrooms), but the London hotel scene is buzzing. The Savoy is re-launching in a mere month, W’s set to kick off the party with Boujis come February, and St John’s are expanding their restaurant reservations book to room rates this October.

If you’re lusting after sunnier climes at cheap-as-chips rates, inspect the brand new offering from the Far East’s favourite low-cost carrier, Air Asia. With outposts in Malaysia and Bali, Tune Hotels opened their first European site last week on London’s soggy turf. Rooms (from £35) are compact and sci-fi functional, with extras going airline style – choose a bag of toiletries and a towel for £1.50 (handed over in a white paper bag), a hairdryer for a quid and TV access for £3.

And should your taste run to something a little less basic, you’ll love The One Room Hotel at Hostem. An intimate installation set up as part of the London Design Festival by JAMESPLUMB, you can apply online to win a night’s stay in the lovingly restored interiors for free. Once the keys are handed over you can peruse the handpicked library and enjoy cocktails and canapés at Lounge Lover, amenities from Aesop, and access to the Shoreditch House gym.

But if you just can’t shake that luxe living, check into The Verta opening in Battersea on the 20th with a giant rooftop space, 40’s glam interiors, and adjoining London’s only heliport. Chop chop – how’s that for choice.

INFO
The One Room Hotel, 18th-26th September. 41-43 Redchurch Street, E2 7DJ.
Applications must be submitted by Wednesday 8th September.

Tune Westminster, 118-120 Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7RW.

Hotel Verta, 6 Lombard Road, SW11 3RP.

Autumnal Mash-Up

There's no denying that it's all taking a turn for the Autumnal out there. On the one hand we're eagerly stacking up on next season's layering, while on the other we're already gagging for the catwalks of SS/11. There's a real mix of nostalgia-meets-party-season in the air. And here's a little mix to encapsulate it all; the loss of one season and the birth of the next: from Notorious B.I.G. right through to Depeche Mode, Max Richter to Major Lazer, Grace Jones to Charlie Parker – and all the way back again. Enjoy! x

Read the full feature…

WIN – a pair of tickets to see Oikos or Protozoa for the Oikos Project. 8pm, The Jellyfish Theatre, 11-25 Union Street, SE1 1LB. Tickets purchasable at £9-£13.

SEE – Works by Dominique Dieulot featuring the female nude, Attractive Repulsive. 10am-6pm, Capital Culture, 3 Bedfordbury, WC2N 4BP Free.

TASTE – exquisite 3-course cuisine at the launch of Marc Hix's latest book. Marc Hix at the Fromagerie. 7:30pm, La Fromagerie, 4 Moxon Street, W1U 4EW. £85pp.

DANCE – to live Brazilian music at Barrio Central's new monthly night, Roots Brazil. 8pm-1am, Barrio Central, 6 Poland Street, W1F 8PS. £3.