The Luxury Travel Magazine
The Luxury Travel Magazine
London’s skyline is a wonderful scene to paint. From the curved dome of St Paul’s Cathedral juxtaposed against the spire of the shard and the wheel of the London Eye to the wavy Walkie Talkie building and the cylindrical Gerkin. All are recognisable landmarks as you stroll down Bankside on a sunny day. Inspiration is all around you, as you make your way to London’s artistic retreat. This is The Bankside Hotel.
This is a place where artists and dreamers can find solace from the cacophony of the capital. Hotels such as this are not only places to sleep but places to be inspired and to create. Opened in 2018, Bankside is a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel with 161 bedrooms including seven suites. It prides itself on a casual yet refined atmosphere, filled with personal touches. It makes a great base to explore the wider city. As guests step inside the lobby they are greeted by a round desk which removes the barrier between them and the hotel staff and you can even sit and enjoy coffee with them as you check-in.
The mezzanine is bright and full of quirky sculptures and there’s wonderful artwork all around for instance an Indian Mona Lisa and quirky takes on other masterpieces. There is an on-site Art Yard Maker’s Studio, home to an ever-changing programme of Artists in Residence, where creatives process and showcase their work, which can then be purchased by guests and at the time of visiting there was an exhibition on called the Art of Belonging at the White Box gallery downstairs.
Upstairs the rooms are welcoming, with the tv already tuned into BBC One to make you feel right at home. Sit down on the sofa, pull off your boots and gaze out of the huge window at the tall skyscrapers and watch the trains go by. Guests can pour themselves some water from the stylish carafe or make a coffee in the expresso machine, and snack on the delicious macaroons.
The room is light and airy and feels like a studio. You’ll find a huge bed filled with cushions for a peaceful and desks for creating with an art supplies box with a mini pad of paper, colouring pencils and postcards for inspiration. Guests can gaze out of the window and get inspiration from the surrounding cityscape.
It is an amazing place to just sit and get creative before taking a shower and getting ready for lunch. Luxury extras such as expensive perfume and champagne can be purchased from the vending machines in the hallways.
The Artyard restaurant is the place to go for a leisurely lunch. Begin with the epi bread starter, a delicious and crisp artisan dish which is perfect to share. This is served on a plate and looks like an artist’s palette and in the wells where the paint would go is a delicious olive paste, olive oil and balsamic vinegar and salted butter, which you spread onto your plate lovingly like an artist with a palette knife. With a glass of bubbly in hand, this was followed by a fresh salad with a delicious mint dressing.
Be sure to save some space for next course. The salmon is so fresh and melts in your mouth and the sweet potato fries are lightly seasoned to taste. As you dine, take note of the vibrant art all around you and enjoy the ambience of this wonderfully creative room. All the food not only tastes fantastic but is inspired by art. The final course was worth waiting for, another palette filled with dainty deserts from chocolate and raspberry sponge, a Sicilian lemon tart, a vanilla and strawberry lollipop and a macaroon as well as a chocolate dipped strawberry.
Executive chef, Sofiane Kaced from Southern France aims to create dishes that play with the vibrant colours, textures and tastes of the Mediterranean as the hotel encourages cultural immersion. With a rich background in luxury hospitality across prominent locations including London and theMiddle East, Chef Kaced brings his expertise to the forefront, elevating the dining experience at Art Yard Bar & Kitchen. His career highlights include roles at the Royal Opera House and Gordon Ramsay’s Maze Grill in Mayfair.He is also assisted by artists when he creates the dishes.
There’s art and design magazines on the table to flick through and the lighting is just right to take beautiful photographs. You can while away an entire afternoon here amidst the creative carvings and paintings, at the service is not to hurried so you can really gather your inspiration ready for your adventures in the capital.
Artistry runs through the very veins of this hotel. At the time of visiting the artist in residence was Kate Matsevych from Ukraine. Her role is to explore the different patterns found in the hotel using creative materials. For further inspiration, in the world around you, take a stroll among the tall skyscrapers as you explore the urban landscape. At night the city landscape comes alive with blinking lights in the towering skyscrapers creating a futuristic utopia. You can get into central London easily by tube and you are also not far from historic London for a more classical approach.
The Bankside is one of those rare gems in the glittering skyline and is a wonderful place to stay and spend time. It is great for business trips and to take the family at the weekend for an urban getaway. Bankside is kid friendly, with various art activities on to keep little ones entertained and a great children’s menu. The hotel also features pet-friendly rooms, complete with beds, toys and added gourmet treats, guests can also take advantage of Bankside’s Canine Concierge service to get recommendations on the best dog- friendly attractions, restaurants and walks in London. For a creative stay at Bankside, you have the capital at your feet. Reach the hotel via Southwark or Blackfriars stations, or alternatively get off at Waterloo and stroll down the Southbank. This vibrant area is bustling with bars and restaurants if you want to have a quick bite to eat, and then there are attractions for the kids such as Shrek’s World of Adventure and the London Eye as well as the iconic OXO building. Experience the art of travel at Bankside and immerse yourself in creative experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime.
