Boutique Buzz EDITED BY MAT THEW HALL Thompson’s Belgraves Hotel Brings “Rough Luxury” to London mong the hoteliers flocking to London in anticipation of this summer’s Olympic Games is Thompson Hotels, which has opened its first locale in the U.K. in the city’s fashionable Belgravia district. The 85-key Belgraves hotel is a joint venture between the New York-based hotelier (whose other holdings include the 60 Thompson in New York, Sax Chicago and the Hollywood Roosevelt in Los Angeles) and The Harilela Group of Hong Kong. The Belgraves’ guest rooms, lounge bar, restaurant and lobby were designed by London-based Tara Bernerd & Partners. A Lead designer Tara Bernerd describes the environments created by her firm as “today’s rough luxury,” thanks to such touches as sumptuously appointed guest rooms that incorporate silver-gray wooden plank floors and signature walls in hues of aubergine. The hotel also features an open-loft lobby; the 80-seat Hix Belgravia restaurant, featuring a menu inspired by chef/ food writer Mark Hix’s travels; the mezzanine-level Mark’s Bar, with an adjoining cigar garden; private dining/meeting space; and a state-of-the-art gym. 8 Boutique Design | May+June 2012 Courtesy of Thompson Hotels