NEW IN TOWN

When Tracy Lowy launched design-led accommodation group Living Rooms almost 30 years ago with ‘hotel alternative’ No.5 Maddox Street, it proved to be a prescient move. Combining the privacy of a home with the perks of a five-star stay, the group has expanded to include clusters of serviced apartments in Mayfair, Little Venice and Marylebone (though Lowy did concede that hotels have their place with the launch of The Laslett in 2015, which offers 51 restful rooms in Notting Hill).

The latest Living Rooms address is 74-78 Marylebone Lane, a collection of seven apartments designed by long-time collaborator Tom Bartlett of British design firm Waldo Works. Restrained yet characterful, each features custom sofas, rugs and headboards, plus walls dotted with the simple forms of Danish artist Rune Elmegaard. Lowy’s next prediction? ‘I think the future of travel is that people will travel less, but take their time and stay in one place for longer.’ From £354 per night (lowygroup.co.uk/living-rooms).