What is it? The Andaz is yet another hotel promising a 'new luxury concept' but don't roll your eyes - this one is different. Located next to Liverpool Street railway station, east central London, it is the former Great Eastern Hotel, one of those magnificent Victorian residential piles in which Britain specialised at the height of the empire.
A burnished modern extension has been added to the original building.
And on the inside? From the minimalist, objet d'art-peppered foyer (right; called the 'living room') to the atrium with glass footbridges linking each floor to an exposed, stainless-steel lift shaft, the hotel is the epitome of contemporary and boutique, despite its antecedent. Indeed, Andaz regards its brand loosely as 'big boutique', thereby catching the 'personal-touch' hotel wave. Swanky without being pretentious, it puts the accent on 'individuality' rather than guest anonymity.
What does that mean? Guests are greeted by a 'team member' and checked in en route to their rooms by means of a tablet PC borne by this person, who is their first point of contact throughout their stay.
The art collection features works by local artists and, under the banner Eastern Thinking, well-known East Enders have been invited to supply quotations evoking life in the neighbourhood for display across walls. Local personalities have submitted playlists for iPods available on loan. Guests can expect to hear tunes supplied by the likes of a police officer, a fashion designer, a hairdresser and a banker.
What else is there to do? Andaz organises contemporary art tours of the East End, taking in obscure galleries and studios. The hotel also hosts literary and comedy events, with headliners such as Will Self, Nick Hornby and Alexei Sayle.
