One of the things I love most in a hotel is a good, old fashioned, sweeping pointer indicator. You know, those semi-circular dials above lift doors, with a single sculpted wand that illustrates, in real time, ascent and descent. They are the stuff of cartoons, farce and gangster movies, and everywhere should have them. 

They are a feature of The Beaumont, which was originally conceived in 2014 by gentleman restaurateurs Chris Corbyn and Jeremy King – best known for the fabulous Wolseley and heinous Brasserie Zédel – to bring updated 1930s glamour to a residential square south of Selfridges. It was fashioned out of an original Art Deco building, and played up to its heritage, but with gloss and good taste rather than pastiche. Like everything the pair do, it had presence, and felt like it had forever been an integral part of the city. The pair departed in 2018, and the hotel was closed for most of the last year for a refurb. The sweeping pointer indicators remain, as does the general air of glamour, and the style of service where the staff greet you by name. “Lovely to see you again Mr O’Flaherty” said the man in the top hat at the door. The feeling was mutual.