Ham Yard Hotel

I’ve long been a fan of Firmdale’s Hotels so was excited to check out the newly opened Ham Yard Hotel in Soho.

“Hotels should be living things not stuffy institutions” maintain Tim and Kit Kemp, owners of Firmdale Hotels. They now have eight boutique hotels in London and one in New York. Kit Kemp designs all the interiors of the hotels. Her style is ‘modern English’ and although it’s not completely all to my taste, I think she and her husband do an amazing job in creating wonderful accommodation, great places to eat and relax in.

Ham Yard Hotel by far the most ambitious and probably seen as the flagship of all their hotels. There are 90 odd bedrooms and over 20 apartments, a bar, orangerie, restaurant, a screening room, spa and gym, a theatre, private event rooms, a roof top garden and a 1950’s style underground bowling alley. Phew! There are also some independent shops surrounding the courtyard.

On Friday, I took a dear friend of mine to have afternoon tea in the terrace courtyard area. The food and service was outstanding and the price very reasonable. Of course, I had my camera on me so took a little tour of the public spaces , which you’ll see are inviting, seductive and full of art and luscious interiors. I invite you to join me on my tour, where I’ve picked out the eclectic display of art, fabrics, objects, lights, textiles and furniture. Like all good interiors, a lot of thought was given to how the spaces feel and how guests interact with them.

As you walk in towards the reception, I couldn’t take my eyes of these over-sized beaded vessels turned into lamps. How effective are these?

I loved this view into the library. This is a guest-only Library and like any good library, is full of stimulating and hand-selected books. Here the books are not just for show – guests are encouraged to pick them up, browse and read. I have it on good authority there are more than 2000 books on the shelves. At the far end of the library you’ll find an honesty bar that enables you to make your own drinks. Do honesty bars in big hotels really work?

Some details of what you’ll find in the library.

Left: Loved this artefact of the Queen and her guards. By the way, a belated Happy Birthday M’am.
Right: an interesting ladder with a lampshade. Not sure what I thought of this.

Detail of a low coffee table with vase and flowers. The table was stunning.

I liked the light fitting against the framed art and wallpaper lining the staircase to go downstairs.

A quirky art sculpture in the hallway by reception.

This amazing and mesmerising 135-dial digital clock, where the hands were moving in different directions.

Another great piece of art – a 3d piece of figurines in a circle.

How great is this cluster of woven lights?

The restaurant area has a plethora of fabrics, textiles and texture. Even the plinth are dressed in fabric, designed by Kit herself.

Adjacent to the restaurant is another casual seating area, just beside the very white and serene Orangerie.

Loved this small organ in the restaurant area.

The drawing room. Yet another public space to chill in, have tea or while the afternoon away!

Ship ahoy! You must admit this is an amazing light chandelier, as seen in the drawing room.

The hotel is full of flowers, mainly bouquets, so this was refreshingly different.

Left: yet more books in the drawing room. Loved this colouful seat.
Right: I have a soft spot for old writing desks. This one hits the spot.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my mini tour of this wonderful new hotel in the middle of Soho. I certainly will return to explore further, to continue to be intoxicated by art, colour, patterns and texiles. I’m looking forward to eat in the restaurant and relax in the Orangerie. I must admit I felt totally chilled by the time I left Ham Yard. I have no doubt it will become a regular haunt for me.

Have you ever visited or stayed in a Firmdale Hotel?