Nobu Hotel London Portman Square

BACKGROUND

The opening marks the 13th hotel from Nobu Hospitality, the luxurious brand founded by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, actor Robert De Niro and director Meir Teper, and the third collaboration with L+R Hotels. Previously the Radisson Blu Portman, the building underwent a refurbishment and reopened as the new lifestyle hotel in May following a soft launch in December 2020.

WHAT’S IT LIKE?

The new glass façade on Upper Berkeley Street is an impressive contemporary redesign of the first two floors of the existing building, which has two less attractive towers jutting out above. The expansive hotel houses 249 rooms and suites, and has a beautiful open-plan lobby with double-height ceilings, a mezzanine with event spaces, and natural light flooding in through floor-to-ceiling windows – an architectural feat that shines on to the street as night falls. A kinetic sculpture by British artist Ivan Black stretches five metres from the ceiling, with rotating fins suspended above a centrepiece of delicate orchids in green glass vases. An intricate piece on the left-hand wall made of burnt Japanese silk paper recalls the motion of a typhoon.

The lobby opens on to the hotel’s lounge on the right-hand side, which features furnishings in burgundy and green, and a sultry art deco-style bar clad in black and gold geometric lines. It’s a great space for business meetings, cocktails and light meals.

WHERE IS IT?

On the corner of Portman Square in Marylebone, near Marble Arch Underground station and Oxford Street, and within walking distance of Mayfair and Hyde Park.

ROOMS

These come in seven categories and start at 18 sqm. Many of them have balconies. All feature the same minimalist design by Make Architects, which includes subtle tones and soft wooden furnishings. Black metal detailing pays homage to the wrought-iron gates of neighbouring Portman Square, while Japanese touches include lantern-style lights and bonsai trees.

The entry-level Superior room features a king-sized bed, while all other categories boast an emperor bed. Amenities include a Nespresso machine, minibar, safe, high-speed wifi and 24-hour gym access. Bathrooms combine marble and wooden fixtures, and feature Toto toilets and large bottles of Grown Alchemist toiletries.

FOOD AND DRINK

Nobu is first and foremost renowned for its cuisine. Marylebone is the brand-new home of the former Nobu Berkeley Street restaurant, which operated for 15 years.

The ground-floor bar has a deep blue colour scheme, with dark wood and little natural light, giving it a moody nightclub feel (there’s a DJ box, after all). It’s here that you’ll spot A-listers, although you might need night-vision goggles. A year-round terrace has been transformed into a Japanese Gin Garden in partnership with Roku Gin.

Upstairs lies the lengthy restaurant area, which resembles an upmarket canteen-like space that comes alive in the evenings.

The multi-course Omakase dinner features signature dishes such as black miso cod and a chocolate fondant with green tea ice cream presented in a bento box.

MEETINGS

The hotel has two boardrooms and a 600-person ballroom on the first floor with an adjoining reception area that overlooks the lobby.

LEISURE

There’s a huge 140 sqm gym and wellness area with three treatment rooms. The main attraction is the Nobu Pilates Studio, which holds classes that blend classical Pilates with high-intensity training and state-of-the-art equipment.

The rooms feature Japanese touches such as lantern-style lights and bonsai trees

VERDICT

This sophisticated hotel offers a wonderful combination of in-room serenity and lively energy at its glamorous bar and restaurant outlets, which are already hotspots in the capital. Hannah Brandler

BEST FOR

The black miso cod at Nobu Restaurant

DON’T MISS

A dynamic Pilates class to refresh

PRICE

Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in November started from US$478 for a Superior room

CONTACT

22 Portman Square; tel +44 (0) 20 3988 5888; london-portman.nobuhotels.com