Art'otel London
1 Electric Boulevard
London
GB
SW11 8BJ
What’s the draw
Having opened its doors to the public this February, Art’otel is a quirky, luxurious city retreat with unrivalled views of the iconic Battersea Power Station and some serious food credentials. As the name might suggest, a theme of art runs throughout the hotel, from its walls lined with tapestries and paintings to the in-house gallery, curved granite surfaces and shelves adorned with eclectic ceramics. It feels like the secret lovechild of Joan Miró and Henri Mattise, and it’s fabulous.
The rooms here are beautifully designed and wonderfully practical in equal measure. They contain everything you need, plus some you didn’t even know you did. The beds are so huge the distant murmurs of your snoring companion can barely be heard, and the robes are so plush, they embrace you in a way your family never could. An undoubtable highlight here is the rooftop infinity pool, which has unparalleled views of the power station chimneys and out across the London skyline. Cosplay as an influencer for the evening as you frolic in the hot tub, slowly transforming into the human embodiment of a raisin. Aside from the pool, Art’otel flaunts other great facilities including a spa, gym, sauna and steam room.
The food and drink
A stay at Art’otel will leave you well watered and fed with a choice between a second site for underrated Victoria bacaro Tozi, and Iberian restaurant JOIA. The former, named Tozi Grand Cafe, is a magnificent circular room adorned with tapestries and a giant ceiling mobile, serving Venetian cicchetti, antipasti afternoon teas and brunches. It is here you enjoy breakfast, which operates like a cafe rather than buffet, (great for those, like us, who lack self-control when it comes to hash browns).
The second restaurant, JOIA, sits pretty on the 14th floor and shines as a restaurant in its own right. Headed up by two Michelin-starred chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, it serves seriously moreish small plates true to the robust and authentic flavours of Sa Pessoa’s Portuguese heritage, with an emphasis on seafood, pork and rice. There is also an undeniably sexy cocktail lounge, where you can ruminate over glasses of vermouth and Portuguese wines on pink velvet banquette seating.
What’s nearby
Honestly what isn’t nearby? With the mega renovation of Battersea Power Station recently completed, this Grade II-listed monster isn’t so much pining for your attention as actively demanding it. Indulge in some retail therapy at Turbine Hall A and B and empty your wallet in the likes of Aesop, the Kooples or Bimba y Lola. Or equally sink your teeth into some of the culinary delights of the nearby Battersea restaurants including Wright Brothers, Brindisa and Roti King. Finally, if the panoramic views of Art’otel weren’t enough, then propel skywards in Lift 109 to get supreme views of London from the top of the power station's four iconic chimneys.
Rooms from £314; artotellondonbattersea.com
