London and its energy: experimental, curious energy. One of my favorite places in this city is Covent Garden – part history, part party, part tourist hub. It gives this area of central London a very vibrant and cool mix – with the cool kids shopping for the latest trainers, old pubs and the piazza with its street performances and beauty concept stores.
The charming Henrietta Street, just a stone’s throw from the piazza, is one of those quaint, picture like London Streets – red bricked buildings, flower pots on window sills and black cabs. And among this charm there is a gem of a hotel & friends get together hub.
Henrietta Hotel is the first London-based hotel from the collective behind Experimental Group – their ECC, Experimental Cocktail Club, a must go in the city’s Chinatown and one of my favorite places for a drink; try the cha-cha-chá a cachaça, basil & rum based drink to get the night started.
The masterminds behind this exquisite place are Romée de Goriainoff, Pierre-Charles Cros, Olivier Bon and Xavier Padovani who have watched Covent Garden grow with some of London’s best restaurants, award-winning bars, theaters and museums. Henrietta Hotel & Restaurant is a combination of two beautiful townhouses at numbers 14 & 15 Henrietta Street; both with their own unique histories. No. 14 Henrietta Street once housed the office of Victor Gollancz Ltd, publisher of George Orwell, Kingsley Amis and John Le Carré just to name a few. No. 15 Henrietta Street, designed by HE Pollard, is an Anglo-Dutch style featuring red brick and terracotta.
Henrietta Hotel is a new kind of locale bathed in Covent Garden’s rich history whilst taking influence from London’s heady energy.
Composed of 18 bedrooms, designed by Dorothée Meilichzon (CHZON), the interior vibe weaves the collective’s passion for food, wine, cocktails and design. The rooms are in pastel muted tones of pinks, blues and greens with fabric panels and hand built bed heads. The decorative elements drawing from the vibrant energy of the neighborhood and showcasing the local craftsmanship and creativity – some rooms have their own private balconies and views of the London Eye.
The restaurant led by Michelin starred chef Ollie Dabbous showcases a simple, seasonal menu with accents of French cuisine that frames the friendly and excellent service – the best though is the convivial atmosphere, the happy energy and the exquisite house drinks. This is a place to bring your friends – your real friends for moments of fun chats, easygoing connections and that remarkable feeling of being local, something that only great hosts can produce.
