London Hotels Insight provides up-to-date, independent advice for your perfect stay in London. We research guest feedback, meet management and identify hotels at the top of their game.
The eccentricities of Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street.
LHI blogger Andrea noticed quite a few original design touches during a recent stay at Radisson Edwardian Mercer Street. Here is her tour of quirkiness...
I don’t like chintz. I like chutzpah. I don’t like plush. I like pizazz. The Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street has my sense of fun in furnishing and isn’t afraid to show it. There are quite a few quirky touches that anyone with an eye or passion for interior design will appreciate from the first minute they enter the hotel lobby…
Two little Chinese statues. And two fantastic bright red pots – I really love those shiny red pots. Now, they are quite close to the lift and you feel you have to be quite careful not to knock them over, but I adore the way the bright highlight sets off the dull matte surface of the two statues. There’s a kind of conversation going on there, I think.
Book direct with Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street at best guaranteed rate
If it was Christmas I would say Baaaaaa humbug! In fact the sheep in the hotel are called Lamb and Chop, I’ve been told. This one greets you as you come in past the reception desk and is big enough to sit on quite comfortably, though I resisted the temptation. Is it the Golden Fleece? Or just looking a bit sheepish? Ewe have to laugh.
I don’t much like Louis XVI furniture – I find it a bit pretentious and yes, chintzy. This sofa, though, neatly extracts the Michael out of the tradition, by exaggerating every aspect of the design and then furnishing it with snakeskin-effect cushions. What fun. Unfortunately, I don’t think it would fit through my front door!
Book direct with Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street at best guaranteed rate
I don’t know who does the lighting design for Radisson Blu Edwardian hotels but it’s always full of character and interest. Here are some lovely metal flower lamps, casting intriguing shadows on the wall, and you can just see the little pheasant that stands on top of the bird cage to the right.
What’s really lovely is how the flower pattern from the lamps is picked up in the upholstery with its pink and aubergine flower designs.
And finally, some interesting murals which give you an idea what you might want to get up to when you head for the bedroom…
I really do like this approach. It’s a bit different, quite fresh, and witty, and distinguishes it from other hotels in Covent Garden. Not everyone will like the quirkiness, I suppose, but it’s fun. I’m glad to report the breath of fresh air applies to the staff as well – friendly, helpful and genuine without any airs or formality as you’ll see from my hotel review.
Book direct with Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street at best guaranteed rate
The photos above confirm some of the specific ways in which this recently-refurbished hotel is just about the most hip Covent Garden boutique hotel – and I didn’t even get to the Union Jack SMEG fridges!
And I also blogged a similar quirky design tour of the same group’s hotel in Guildford which you may also find amusing.
Photo credits: London Hotels Insight blogger Andrea, Radisson Edwardian Mercer Street, London Hotels Insight Flickr.
Previous post: The Athenaeum teams up with Royal Academy.
Next post: Behind the scenes with Jeremy at Tune Liverpool Street.
