British domesticity and Parisian flair meet at Grand Hotel Bellevue

The first British property by French hospitality group Lignée Hotels, the Grand Hotel Bellevue reimagines five floors of a listed Victorian townhouse in London Paddington. Italian-born, Paris-based architect Fabrizio Casiraghi crafted the new interiors with an eclectic, domestic feel, finding inspiration for the project from a strong design story. Continuously developing and drawing from this narrative throughout, Casiraghi envisioned the boutique stay as the home of “an aristocratic Englishman and his eccentric, globetrotting wife” – a merging of tastes and aesthetics which certainly shines through across the 60 bedrooms and common areas.

Dark lacquered wood and traditional decorative elements nod to the hotel’s quintessentially British aesthetic, while bolder colour choices (such as orange-clad walls in the reception) and quirky pieces of vintage décor suggest the presence of the fictional couple’s more creative side. In each bedroom, bespoke furniture in a rich, dark stain is complemented by matching carpets and curtains in equally muted tones, while the same shades are replicated in their bolder version across the sleek tiles in the bathrooms – creating a distinctive alternating palette of green, orange and blue. The more compact rooms across the lower floors are modelled after nineteenth-century boat cabins, while the spacious ‘Superior’ lodgings on the upper floors boast high ceilings and their own hand-crafted wardrobe inspired by vintage woodwork.

The more compact rooms are modelled after nineteenth-century boat cabins, while the spacious ‘Superior’ lodgings on the upper floors boast high ceilings and their own hand-crafted wardrobe inspired by vintage woodwork. More of the townhouse’s traditional elements are celebrated in the Deluxe rooms, characterised by traditional sash windows and super king-size beds. Finally, the Grand Norfolk suite represents the combination of British tradition and eclecticism at its finest, and features high ceilings, large French windows and impressive views over the peaceful greenery of Norfolk Square below.

Throughout the hotel, the furniture and decor consists of a mix of bespoke pieces and antique finds, such as the settee facing the reception desk which is surrounded by dramatic dark boiserie. On the ground floor, guests searching for an after dinner tipple can find Bar Pondicherry, which strives to capture the atmosphere of an exclusive members-only bar. Here, Casiraghi paired bold yellow walls with deep blue tapestries created in collaboration with American fashion designer Emily Bode (founder of BODE), which are adorned with intricate motifs that nod to the vibrant history of South Asia.