THE WOW FACTOR

tabletop dancing by night? Welcome to the West End’s lavish W Hotel London.

LOOK Commissioned to create a pulsating “disco box” in the heart of London’s West End, Dutch design team Concrete fully embraced the concept, delivering the sleek and stylish W Hotel London. Totalling 192 rooms (including a range of WOW suites), the property is a breath of fresh US air in the British capital’s often stuffy hotel market. From the sparkling disco balls in the lobby to the blinding smiles of the staff and the rainbow light feature on the facade, everything here is about enjoyment. Retro ’70s furnishings combined with stark white walls and shagpile carpets create an ambience that is glamorous, functional and ever so slightly sexy. Do Not Disturb signs abound, dirty-weekends-away are de rigueur. EAT An Ali Baba’s cavern of exotic spice jars, Moorish-inspired decor and a lively open kitchen, Spice Market is Executive Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s take on street food. inspired by his travels through Southeast Asia. Sharing is caring and large tables are perfect for group feeds of Thai, Vietnamese and Indian delicacies. DRINK After all that gluttony, dance the night away at the hotel’s groovy Wyld. Part nightclub, part bar, Wyld hosts weekly DJ events with awardwinning mixologists on-hand to rev up the night for London’s smart set. The adjacent lounge is an altogether more civilised affair, oversized banquettes providing comfortable views of the neighboring nightclub. (Tip: hotel guests don’t have to queue or pay an entry fee, so wave your room card at the burly security guards for fast track access). SLEEP Now it’s time for zzz or perhaps xxx? Standard rooms (referred to as ‘Wonderful’) embrace the studio concept: fully open-plan with the bathroom f lowing into the bedroom, a WC and shower housed behind mirrored panels. Not for the shy, these rooms are compact but well designed with custom-made beds and pop-art styling. Higher levels afford cloud-like views across Soho and Leicester Square. If you’ve got more cash to splash, opt for one of the suites, notably the Screening Suite which includes an enormous bathroom (complete with a private steamroom) and, needless to say, a massive 3 metre wide cinema screen. Movie marathon, anyone? SPA Escape to Away Spa for pampering after the hedonistic enjoyment of a weekend (or week) partying in London. The zen-like spa utilises the hotel’s signature Bliss range and offers all the usual treatments from massages to facials. If you’ve got the energy, Fit gym is only a few paces away.