Rocco Forte Hotels announces the opening of Brown's Hotel - 12th December 2005
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Rocco Forte Hotels announces the opening of Brown's Hotel - 12th December 2005
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Category: Europe
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2005-11-02
Rocco Forte Hotels is pleased to confirm that Brown's Hotel will re-open in London's Mayfair on 12th December 2005, following a £19-million renovation overseen by Sir Rocco Forte's sister, Olga Polizzi, widely regarded as one of Europe's finest hotel designers.
Olga Polizzi's stylish new design maintains the refined English charm for which Brown's Hotel has always been known, successfully combining it with a more contemporary and comfortable style. The latest in guest innovation and technology have also been integrated into the public areas and all guest rooms.
Key features in the renovated property include 117 spacious guest rooms including 15 suites; The Grill under the watchful eyes of London's most famous Maitre d' Angelo Maresca (ex Savoy Grill) and Executive Chef Laurence Glayzer (ex Harry's Bar, The Ritz and Savoy Grill); The Donovan Bar, which will be lined with iconic images taken by celebrated British photographer Terence Donovan; The English Tea Room, serving the most famous afternoon tea in London; six private rooms for meetings and events; three spa treatment rooms and a 70sqm fully-equipped cardiovascular gymnasium.
Brown's Hotel holds a hallowed place in the London hotel industry, having been the first upmarket hotel to open in the city. It was established in 1837 by Lord Byron's valet, James Brown, when he acquired four adjacent town houses in Dover Street. In 1859, the hotel was bought by James John Ford, who then extended it to include the St. George's Hotel on Albemarle Street, which backed on to the Dover Street property. The new hotel soon became renowned as a place guaranteed to ensure comfort, privacy and understated service for its well-heeled guests - qualities that remain in place today.
Brown's Hotel has also hosted many famous names and events, including Alexander Graham Bell, who made the UK's first telephone call from the hotel in 1876; the first hotel lift; Rudyard Kipling, who wrote many of his works there; a host of Roosevelts, including Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor, Queen Victoria and various members of European royalty.
Today, Brown's Hotel is playing a central role in the emergence of Mayfair as a vibrant part of London, which has even gained its own acronym "WoBo", as in "West Of Bond" (Street). On Albemarle Street, Jade Jagger has injected youth and glamour into crown jewellers Garrard, royal furniture maker David Linley recently opened his second shop and British fashion legend Paul Smith is soon to open a curiosity shop. A number of London's newest and most high profile restaurants - Sketch, The Wolseley, Nobu Berkley, Automat, Gordon Ramsay's Maze and Marco Pierre White's latest restaurant Luciano - are also within walking distance of the hotel.
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