Ham Yard
London

The eighth Firmdale offering in the UK, Ham Yard is the perfect mix of creativity, business and art. From a hypoxic chamber for high altitude training and a state of the art theatre, to an original 1950s bowling alley and a gold piano used as an ice bucket on the rooftop garden, there is nothing that hasn’t been thought of for this property. In the midst of Soho and moments from Mayfair, Ham Yard exudes a continental village feel with its high ceilings, open spaces and bright décor. The leafy courtyard with intricate iron furniture and crisp white linen offers the ideal setting for a Ham Yard signature cocktail and a homemade rosemary focaccia melt in the summer months.

All 91 rooms and suites are individually designed by Kit Kemp while her husband Tim oversaw the design of the marble, granite and oak bathrooms. The spacious bedrooms are equipped with a well-stocked mini bar and decorated with custom-made fabric wallpaper, while one-of-a-kind pieces of art and antiques from the couple’s travels can be seen dotted around the property.  In addition, Ham Yard is home to 24 apartments and 13 independent stores as well as a library, drawing room, gym, spa and 24 hour room service.

As soon as you step inside Ham Yard it is easy to see why Firmdale Hotels is an award winning hotel group; the service is second to none and the combination of elegant sophistication and colourful creativity creates a unique and inspiring environment for guests, visitors and locals passing through.

I can't think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything.
Bill Bryson