Kimpton Fitzroy London Hotel (London)

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The Hotel Russell was officially opened on Saturday June 2nd 1900 and quickly established itself as one of the most popular hotels in the Capital. It is mentioned repeatedly in the literature of the time, and specifically included in the poems' of TS Elliott about Cats.

The architect of this remarkable structure, Charles Fitzroy Doll is said to have based his design for the façade on the Chateau de Madrid in the Bois de Boulogne. Externally the hotel is a typically creative showcase of Victorian histrionics, apart from the design of the facades the Russell also incorporates several decorative sculptural elements. A frieze of shields, originally coloured, representing the "Coats of Arms of many Nations" adorn the front of the hotel, and were designed by W.J Neatby (1860-1910).

Doll also engaged his favourite sculptor Henry Charles Fehr (1867-1940) to model the four life-size statues of British Queens, who look down from above the main front entrance. In addition four busts of British Prime Ministers adorn the Guilford street side of the building.

Boasting one of the capital's most prestigious locations, the 373 bedroom Hotel Russell is situated in the heart of Bloomsbury, in the centre of London. The peaceful and tranquil greenery of Russell Square itself, located opposite the hotel, provides delightful respite from the hustle and bustle of Western Europe's busiest capital, and Russell Square's Underground station is immediately adjacent providing easy access to all of London.

The Hotel dominates the East Side of Russell Square, and is a spectacular example of late Victorian Renaissance Revival architecture. Built between 1896 and 1900 and smothered in terracotta ornament, the hotel rises through eight exuberant storeys and originally had a French Mansard roof covered in intricate green fishscale tiles.

The hotel was renamed The Principal London Hotel in April 2018, and then Kimpton Fitzroy London in October 2018.

www.kimptonfitzroylondon.co.uk/
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Coordinates:   51°31'21"N   -0°7'29"E
This article was last modified 7 years ago