Marriott to convert London’s historic Berners Hotel into Edition

Following on the heels of a successful launch of its first Edition hotel in Hawaii, Marriott International announced it would turn the historic Berners Hotel in London into The London Edition.

The 175-year-old Berners has been closed since 2006, and now Marriott plans to take it over for London travelers. The boutique Edition brand was conceived by iconic hotel designer Ian Schrager in partnership with Marriott, and Shrager brings his eye for detail to the London hotel scene with the opening of the London Edition.

“I am thrilled to be returning to London for an incredibly special and historical building like Berners Hotel,” Schrager says in an alert on HotelsMag.com. “I am excited and passionate about creating an authentic and original experience for this special Edition hotel in this gateway city.”

Opening dates for the London Edition haven’t been set yet, but Marriott’s next Edition hotel will is scheduled to open in Istanbul early next year.

London’s Cumberland Hotel unveils Jimi Hendrix-themed suite

Paying homage to one of the greatest musicians of all time, London’s Cumberland Hotel is unveiling its new Jimi Hendrix-themed suite, complete with swinging mirrors and a purple haze.

The hotel, where Hendrix is said to have given his last ever interview, created a suite worthy of a rock legend, complete with a giant bed adorned with velvet cushions and zebra throws. The suite is being unveiled on Sept. 18, the day Hendrix died 40 years ago. An hour-long recording session of Hendrix talking to his music writer friend Keith Altham can be played on the iPod docked in the suite. “Everybody should have a room where they get rid of all their releases. My room was a stage,” Hendrix said in the interview.

Among the typical amenities and decor, guests can marvel at the Hendrix-inspired Flying V guitar that hangs on the wall alongside framed copies of NME articles. For a truly memorable trip, you’ll notice a rainbow that swirls across the ceiling past a cascading light in the form of a human figure. A mirror swings towards the bed, showcasing the crimson carpet, orange curtains and, of course, a haze of purple.

The Hendrix Suite at London’s Cumberland hotel costs 399 pounds a night (approximately $612 USD) for two people, which includes a bottle of Hendrix’s favourite Smokehead scotch and breakfast.

Real-life “Mary Poppins” takes over at London’s Athenaeum hotel

A nationwide search for Britain’s best nannies resulted in three real-life Mary Poppins-like ladies who are now available to watch your little ones next time you’re in London.

The Athenaeum, hailed as one of London’s most family-friendly five-star hotels, went in search of the best nannies. A panel consisting of the hotel’s Kids Concierge, six-year-old and 10-year old, and actress Lynda Bellingham, star of “Calendar Girls” interviewed all the nannies and choose three who fit the job description: “Must be fun, creative and caring; practically perfect in every way!”

Now through September, the Athenaeum’s three “Fabulous Nannies” will look after and entertain the children of guests on weekends and evenings, leaving the parents free to enjoy London on adult terms. The hotel is offering up to three hours of complimentary nanny services for guests with the Family Fun Package through Sept. 30, 2010, that starts at $450 for a Deluxe Room, $799 for a Suite, with a three-night minimum. A second room or suite of the same type is offered at a 50 percent discount. Also included:

  • Daily full English Breakfast for two
  • Complimentary meals for children under 12
  • Picnic lunch for the family
  • Free Babysitting (three hours)
  • Complimentary transfer from any London airport
  • Complimentary snacks and soft drinks from the mini bar
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

The only thing cooler than taking the kids to London is letting them play with Mary Poppins! If the kids start telling tales of tea parties on the ceiling or jumping across chimneys, it’s OK to believe them…

London town hall reopens as luxury hotel

What’s one way to restructure an old building? Turn it into a luxury hotel.

The old town hall in the heart of London‘s East End officially reopened as a luxury hotel on May 12, featuring 98 luxury rooms and apartments all within walking distance to London’s financial district.

The hotel developer, Design Hotels, kept much of the town hall’s aesthetics in place when renovating the building for hotel guests. Many of the original interiors, including a council chamber, marble hallways and spiral staircases, are still intact and part of the new hotel design.

The Town Hall Hotel offers studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom options with various interior designs, some with modern kitchens. Artwork was provided by local London artists and the hotel also features a gym, a pool and a restaurant by Portuguese chef Nuno Mendes.

Rooms range in price depending on the amount of time you stay. For the hotel rooms, a double bedroom will run you £290.00 a night (approximately $427 USD) for 1-6 nights; £247.00 a night for 7-28 nights; and drops to £203.00 a night for stays more than 28 days. Comparatively, a one-bedroom apartment costs £345.00 a night (approximately $507 USD) for 1-6 nights; £293.25 a night for 7-28 nights; and £241.50 a night if you stay longer than 28 days.

The hotel opens in plenty of time to capture the pending tourist rush for the 2012 Olympic Games, which city officials hope will revitalize the East End area.

London hotel gives guests an iPad during stay

You can buy an iPad for $499, or you can rent a suite at The Berkley in London for £1,850 (approximately $2,800 USD) and get to use an iPad during your stay.

Let’s break that down a bit:

One iPad at $499 to own and use whenever you want or
The use of an iPad for one night when you rent a suite in London for £1,850
£1,850 = approximately $2,800 (as of the date of this article)
$2,800 will buy you 5 iPads (plus tax and shipping, if necessary)

The draw here is that the iPad isn’t available in the UK until later this month, so the London hotel is tempting guests with the coveted iPad for use during their stay. The Berkley’s in-suite iPad will include a variety of games, videos and comics for children as well as downloads of several newspapers, ranging from Le Monde to the Wall Street Journal. The hotel iPad will also come complete with guided tours of London and plenty of Apple iPad applications to help guests plan their London itinerary.

You have to stay in a suite to get use of the iPad. Or, you can just buy your own iPad.