The first phase of The Marylebone Rooms opened earlier this year, but it’s not until early October that the project will be totally completed. General manager of The Marylebone Hotel, Garreth Walsh, gives us the lowdown
Words: Lizzie Frainier
If you haven't already heard, The Marylebone Rooms is a brand new set of meeting and event spaces within The Marylebone Hotel, due for completion the first week of October.
Designed by Michaelis Boyd (whose previous work includes Soho House Istanbul and the Groucho Club), each room is filled with natural light, bright colours and modern art.
Having now seen some of the rooms first hand, we were pleasantly surprised with how the design-heavy aesthetic worked in a business setting.
‘We created them primarily as evening event spaces, but with all the technology needed for daytime meetings, like 80in monitors hidden behind reflective screens,’ explains Walsh.
Exactly what does the second phase bring? ‘The completion of The Marylebone Rooms with its own entrance on Bulstrode Street,’ says Walsh.
It'll also include the largest spot for functions – a glamorous space that will use a lot of timber and deep reds in the furnishings. ‘Essentially it’s one big room that divides into two with a cocktail bar in-between. You’ll be able to host 90 for a sit down dinner on round tables or 250 for a standing reception.’
Walsh is clear that the location is a big plus for event bookers: ‘You can’t talk about the venue without being conscious of Marylebone village. If you put Marylebone on your invite, people will make it.’
His favourite space of the lot is the upstairs courtyard. ‘It has a semi-retractable roof and heaters so that it can be used all year. Last week we had a classic summer evening with periods of rain, and so as our guests sat on the courtyard for dinner we could open and close the roof.’
Menus have been designed – by the hotel’s exec chef – with simplicity in mind. ‘It’s all about seasonal, British produce at its best. As ever, menus are a guide for people, but often we’ll sit with clients to develop something specific.’
Create a buzz for your event by being first in to the new spaces; you can get in touch with the reservations team here. Or if you’d like more details on the whole venue, have a look at its SquareMeal listing.