If you want to experience what it’s like being a royalty in a hotel then The Ampersand Hotel is for you. My immediate reaction to this design is – “wow, royalty!” I reckoned that it feels as comfortable as it looks. This is the recent completion by Dexter Moren Associates and the hotel design can be seen at South Kensington, London.

It is no wonder that the hospitality design is inclined to classic than contemporary because the building – itself – can be traced back in 1988. In fact, it is an original Victorian boutique hotel in London as I’ve said it has recently undergone comprehensive restoration and refurbishment that now houses 111 new bedrooms including five suites provided with balconies, a coffee lounge designed with artisanal expertise and patisserie. It also includes the cocktail bar and dining areas located specifically on the lower ground floor.

The concept followed by Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) draws inspiration from the locality of the hotel where world-renowned museums are located – in South Kensington. Therefore, the design concept is to combine elements owing to their specific counterparts like botany, astronomy, ornithology and geology and even music. All of these elements were intricately incorporated into the guest rooms and public spaces but complemented by modern furnishings and specific artwork.

The grandeur of the hotel interiors starts from the entrance which is actually the focal point of the lobby’s entire design. The lighting fixtures and furnishings all speak about this grandeur and elegance that I couldn’t quite give meaning or specifically point to. From the dramatic ceiling to the stylish statement of the floor in congruence to the reception desk designs, floor rugs and upholstery, the hotel interior design speaks of royal eloquence.

The beautiful hotel stands within a 5,665-square foot area, which houses seven floors filled with bedrooms to accommodate the needs and requirements of both leisure and business travelers. I must say I’m impressed with this design – not that I’m easily impressed by all things. It’s just that I can almost reach what it feels like being a royalty even for just a couple of nights stay in this grand hotel.

The concept of the entire hotel including the lower ground and restaurant speaks of sophistication yet relaxed and appealing. It is more of a flexible design that accommodates guests in whatever scale of sophistication they have. Even though the design is inclined to the classic, I cannot deny that the addition of modern design elements created a bigger and more dramatic impact to the rest of the interior design.

Posted by JackieAzuela at 28 September, 2012

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