Scheduled to open in early 2020, The Guardsman is a purpose-built luxury boutique hotel on Buckingham Gate that will offer the atmosphere, discretion and personal service usually associated with a private members’ club.
Presenting guests with a true home away from home experience, this intimate property will feature 53 luxurious bedrooms, whilst the top three floors encompass six exclusive residences. Designed as the perfect London pied-a-terre, they comprise a selection of one, two and three bedrooms, along with sumptuous living spaces, dining areas and fully fitted kitchens.
The Penthouse has a wraparound terrace, whilst two other residences feature a more expansive outdoor space with planting and seating.
The Guardsman is set amongst some of London’s most historic and prestigious landmarks. The Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace are both a short walk away, while the neighbourhood has been the seat of government for a thousand years. The hotel extends down the quieter, more hidden, Vandon Street, giving the impression of a sanctuary.
From the moment guests arrive, they will instantly be made to feel at home by the discrete yet attentive service. Along with their choice of rooms or residences, they can request their preferred brand of drinks, menu items or bathroom products, all of which will be prepared ready for their arrival.
The hotel has an unmistakably British feel that befits such a prestigious address. Interiors are contemporary and relaxed, complemented by a few carefully chosen, classic and sometimes quirky embellishments.
Bespoke furniture fills the intimate public spaces and curated art adorns the walls.
The individually styled bedrooms are exceptionally comfortable. Meticulously considered interior design and clever use of space ensure each room feels spacious, whilst flourishes such as custom-made furnishings and free-standing baths combine with more classic features like herringbone parquet flooring to continue the unmistakably British feel. State-of-the-art integrated televisions and speakers with Chromecast ensure all travellers’ technological needs are met.
The spaces for dining and socialising are set over two levels, perfect for relaxing, reading, small gatherings or enjoying the carefully selected whiskeys and spirits as well as a sommelier curated wine list.
At the core of the hotel’s personality is the exquisite restaurant, open to residents and their guests only. Although a few select dishes will always be available, menus are developed daily from seasonal produce sourced from carefully selected purveyors, London markets and organic farms. The kitchen will be open all day, and room service will be available around the clock.
The Guardsman is owned and operated by Shiva Hotels and represents a new direction in this market for the group.
To bring their vision to life, the Shiva team has worked with two of the UK hospitality industry’s most lauded names, architects Dexter Moren Associates (The Curtain Hotel, Shangri-La at The Shard) and multi-disciplinary design practice Tonik Associates (Searcys, Silverstone).
Said Rishi Sachdev, Managing Director, Shiva Hotels, “The Guardsman is designed for those who want the tailored, personal experience offered by a club, the flexibility and luxury of a hotel and the comfort and familiarity of a home. It will also have a conscience, wherever possible putting both its people and the environment at the centre of its decisions.”
