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/Sanderson Hotel
Philippe Starck's coup dessin
Article by Kasia Xavier
Hotels, by their very raison d'etre, conjure up an image of being between worlds, poised between one destination and the next. Staying in one is deliberate choice to escape, to be elsewhere. We occupy new locales, new personas and new reference points. We are transported.
Then we enter the land and marriage of Phllippe Starck and Ian Schrager design. Their hotels surpass the basic notions of shelter and escalate into the realm of fantasy and majesty. There is something royal about their structures, something slightly imposing and definitely commanding. They proclaim their brilliance loudly. As we all ought to.
Genius is sexy.
The Sanderson in London is one of my favorite hotels on the planet. Maybe it's my love of surrealism, of bold, decadent design choices; I like to be surprised. I like the unconventional. Here, it abounds.
I have spent several lust soaked afternoons in this hotel. They were punctuated by visits to local eateries (Busaba being a favorite), Agent Provocateur (just down the street) and Coco de Mer (a little further away, but still within walking distance). Though ideally situated in one of the centers of London's universe, Covent Garden, the hotel offers much in the way of self-sufficiency. In-house restaurant Suka serves a Malaysian-European fusion at long communal tables. A candlelit courtyard beckons and the spa is dream-like. In proper Starck fashion and much like the Delano lobby in Miami, the spa area is a maze of long, white, wispy curtains billowing. Tiny alcoves with plush seats and personal media players are dotted throughout the draping. It's a magical oasis.
Then we enter the land and marriage of Phllippe Starck and Ian Schrager design. Their hotels surpass the basic notions of shelter and escalate into the realm of fantasy and majesty. There is something royal about their structures, something slightly imposing and definitely commanding. They proclaim their brilliance loudly. As we all ought to.
Genius is sexy.
The Sanderson in London is one of my favorite hotels on the planet. Maybe it's my love of surrealism, of bold, decadent design choices; I like to be surprised. I like the unconventional. Here, it abounds.
I have spent several lust soaked afternoons in this hotel. They were punctuated by visits to local eateries (Busaba being a favorite), Agent Provocateur (just down the street) and Coco de Mer (a little further away, but still within walking distance). Though ideally situated in one of the centers of London's universe, Covent Garden, the hotel offers much in the way of self-sufficiency. In-house restaurant Suka serves a Malaysian-European fusion at long communal tables. A candlelit courtyard beckons and the spa is dream-like. In proper Starck fashion and much like the Delano lobby in Miami, the spa area is a maze of long, white, wispy curtains billowing. Tiny alcoves with plush seats and personal media players are dotted throughout the draping. It's a magical oasis.
Previous
Lobby
It's been dubbed the chicest hotel in the world.
Each of the different public spaces has its own unique look and feel. The lobby features a replica of Dali's couch shaped after the lips of Mae West.
The interplay of the best elements of clean, modern design, surrealism and nods to art and culture fuse here. The experience of beauty, luxury and intelligence acts as an aphrodisiac.
Each of the different public spaces has its own unique look and feel. The lobby features a replica of Dali's couch shaped after the lips of Mae West.
The interplay of the best elements of clean, modern design, surrealism and nods to art and culture fuse here. The experience of beauty, luxury and intelligence acts as an aphrodisiac.
- 05/04/2009
