A New Perspective
Thistle has spent three years and £100 million transforming its 32 hotels. With the refurbishment work almost complete, business guests can experience the difference for themselves – and discover why Thistle has been crowned AA Hotel Group of the Year for 2011.
Thistle Kensington Gardens is a prime example of what Thistle has set out to achieve with its ambitious programme. Long popular with business guests, it’s been given a contemporary ‘boutique’ feel, and offers an oasis of calm just 10 minutes from the West End. All 175 bedrooms, including deluxe and executive rooms overlooking Hyde Park, have been completely transformed, together with the Brasserie bar and restaurant, hotel entrance and reception area. Less obvious, but equally important, enhancements include air-conditioning and wi-fi throughout the hotel.
Thistle Euston’s proximity to Euston and King’s Cross mainline stations, and the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras, make it one of Thistle’s premier London business hotels. Guests staying in Executive bedrooms (of which another 32 have been added as part of the refurbishment) can now avoid the early-morning queues thanks to a separate Executive Breakfast area, and make use of a new coffee break-out area during meetings and events. The reception area, lounge and bar have been rebuilt with a completely new look and ambience, while all 362 bedrooms have been fully refurbished.
Meanwhile, the Guoman collection of luxury central London hotels is expanding to five with the addition of The Grosvenor Hotel, Victoria. A multi-million pound project has seen the hotel, built during the Victorian railway boom, completely redesigned as a luxury destination for today’s business and leisure guests, while preserving its heritage as part of the ‘golden age’ of travel.
Guests can already get a taste – literally – of the new-look hotel in the Grand Imperial restaurant, which serves exquisite authentic Cantonese cuisine created by renowned chef Rand Cheung. The chic new Réunion Champagne and Cocktail Bar, in what was once the first-class lounge, is also fully open, serving a full range of drinks, elegant snacks and canapés. For business guests, The Grosvenor will offer self-contained executive accommodation in a separate tower, with striking views over the city and the option to book the entire block for corporate use. All 9 meeting rooms have been upgraded, while the brand-new Executive Lounge will be ideal for working, holding informal meetings or simply relaxing at the end of the day.
