The Londoner puts fine art at the heart of its hospitality

s Frieze London takes over the capital, there’s never been a better time to check in to The Londoner. It’s the perfect base for exploring the art fair, as well as the city and its creative, cultural spirit.

A new Leicester Square landmark, The Londoner is the world’s first super-boutique hotel, with a unique design aesthetic and an array of artworks spread across its 16 floors, from its public spaces to the 350 guest-rooms and suites.

The Londoner’s head of design, Krishma Singh Dear, teamed up with James Robertson Art Consultants and design agency Yabu Pushelberg to curate a world-class art collection that harmonises with the hotel’s design, architecture and central location.

From framed pieces and sculptures to murals and installations, the collection includes works by renowned artists, as well as up-and-coming creatives.

While the majority are British, there are global influences too, reflecting London’s diverse, multifaceted personality.

You don’t have to look far to find works by leading artists. Tracey Emin’s pink lithograph of a bird, Believe in Extraordinary, and Julian Opie’s evocative Cornish Coast print both hang in reception.

On the stairwell is Antony Gormley’s dramatic woodcut print, Reach 2015-2016, alongside photography by Tim Walker and striking pieces by other artists.

The Londoner also incorporates art into its interiors, often reflecting local history, whether it’s an installation of women wearing hats in Whitcomb’s restaurant – a nod to the millineries that once stood on the street – or the mural on the walls of Joshua’s Tavern, named after the celebrated portrait artist, Joshua Reynolds and created in conjunction with the Royal Academy, depicting an imagined version of Leicester Square in the 18th century.

In guest-only space The Residence, the Drawing Room is painted with the night sky, while the Y Bar features graffiti art rendered in light, which appears and disappears throughout the day.

In The Gallery, the hotel’s meeting level, the rooms are named after London galleries, their walls adorned with striking pieces by international artists.

Each bedroom and suite is home to a unique selection of works. The Trafalgar Suites have views of Nelson’s Column and artworks of the Battle of Trafalgar, alongside irreverent depictions of Admiral Horatio Nelson himself.

Krishma Singh Dear gave up a banking career to study at Parsons School of Design in New York, before going on to become The Londoner’s Head of Design.

When creating the hotel’s aesthetic, art was at its heart. “We wanted The Londoner to be a cultural hub for the West End. It was always going to be this beacon of culture and we knew art would play a huge role in this.”

The hotel’s creative side takes a variety of forms. “For the exterior we invested in hand-finished blue terracotta tiles, but we also have art installations in the interiors, creating these immersive experiences. And then there are the paintings, prints, artefacts and accessories. There are so many different layers of art in The Londoner – it’s not one-dimensional.”

She credits art consultant James Robertson with curating all the works on display, and says the key theme of the collection is the location. “It has always been a West End story, and so we wanted references to film, theatre and fashion, done in subtle but fun ways.”

As for her favourite artists on display, “I’ve always been a big fan of Tim Walker and Marc Quinn,” she says. “Their pieces, really speak to what the aesthetic of The Londoner is about, which is modern London and glamour.”

The Londoner is now open for bookings. For more information, visit thelondoner.com