InterContinental reopens after £60m makeover - Swish new look was a year in the making

The doors have swung open at the InterContinental London Park Lane after an all-encompassing £60 million refurbishment. The hotel closed in October 2005 for more than a year, during which the public areas were transformed and all 447 bedrooms and suites were given an overhaul. So far 150 of the guestrooms have reopened, with the rest due to be available from March. A major addition to the hotel's offering is the much-publicised Theo Randall at The InterContinental restaurant. It is former River Café head chef Randall's first independent restaurant.

The refurbishment was a joint project between architects ReardonSmith and interior designers J2Design, Ilana Feingold and KCA. Conrad Smith of ReardonSmith said: "The usual task for hotel architects of optimising revenue-generating opportunities for the operator has, in this case, been met by re-planning the ground floor and opening it up to harness the unique views over Hyde Park Corner." New over-size windows with bomb-proof glazing have been introduced throughout the hotel, while the business centre has been relocated from the ground floor to the mezzanine floor to create a lounge bar overlooking Hyde Park. Outside, the hotel's façade has been cleaned and the forecourt remodelled.

Rob Shepherd, InterContinental's vice president of operations for the UK and Ireland, said: "Our brand is highly respected throughout the world and this major programme of works, both front and back of house, will ensure the London hotel sets the standard as the new flagship for the brand."

March will see the opening of the hotel's Spa InterContinental and Club InterContinental lounge.

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From H Magazine

Publication Date: January 2007

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