Project Overview
London’s nhow Hotel stands as a rebuke to all those mass-produced chains where the décor is the same whether you wake up in Carlisle or Caracas.
The nhow collection of hotels now features more than 350 destinations in 37 countries around the world – and each is designed and decorated in honour of the city where it stands.
So, Sentinel, London’s favourite specialist decorating sub-contractor, was delighted to be offered the opportunity to work with Willmott Dixon Interiors on the commercial decorating throughout the UK’s first nhow Hotel, which stands on the eastern fringes of the City of London.
The brand self-consciously aims to deliver a unique experience for guests that will make each of its hotels memorable and attractive as a place to stay and visit.
The nine-storey nhow London is part of the major mixed-use development at 250 City Road, between the hip and happening districts of Hoxton, Islington and Shoreditch. It is close to the city, as well as to the Silicon Roundabout, named because of the plethora of tech businesses in this corner of the capital.
The all-important design concept for the interior was developed by Project Orange, an architect that created a space where tradition and innovation collide – mirroring London’s own compelling mix of history and cutting-edge innovation.
Rooms at the nhow Hotel London are decorated in a style that has been described as “punk meets high tech”.
You’ll find a host of British icons vividly recreated and celebrated on the premises. These include the Royal Family, the Underground and a host of London landmarks.
They have been given an unconventional and contemporary twist. Some of the most impressive examples include the sculpture of Big Ben in the lobby, tables featuring Cockney rhyming slang and oversized gold bell lights, a reminder of the city’s legendary church bells.
As a specialist decorating contractor with extensive expertise, it was a pleasure for Sentinel to be involved in the process of bringing such a unique destination to life.
Project Brief
As the UK’s preferred specialist decorating contractor, Sentinel is comfortable with the need to meet clients’ expectations and aspirations – however unusual they may be.
In the case of the nhow Hotel, our commercial decorating services were required for the recreation of royalty. Punk meets the former Queen in the graffiti art on the bedroom walls, while there are more royal designs in the bathrooms too.
Our team of specialist decorators appreciated the opportunity to display their creativity, as well as the high standards of workmanship and customer service that come as standard with Sentinel. We provided the commercial decorating throughout the nine storeys of this 100,000 square feet hotel.
There are a total of 190 vibrant and thought-provoking bedrooms, as well as a restaurant that recreates the style of a traditional British pub, a bar and gym and three meeting rooms.
There was a need throughout the establishment for bold, fresh designs inspired by British icons. This is in keeping with the brand’s desire to make each of its hotels unlike any other. The personality of every nhow hotel is inspired by the city where it stands.
The location of the nhow Hotel London is ideal for visitors who want to visit many of the icons represented on its walls. Big Ben and the London Eye are within easy reach, as are the landmarks that proliferate in the nearby City of London.
Challenges / Solution
The main challenge associated with this project was to understand and deliver on the overriding need for quirky design, delivered with precision and professionalism.
This meant finding the balance between traditional commercial decorating and a more punk, graffiti-like style that brought the imagery on the wall to vivid life.
We were proud to be invited by Willmott Dixon Interiors to deliver our services throughout the building – and thoroughly pleased with the quality of the final result.
That pleasure has been shared by many of the visitors who have patronised the nhow Hotel London since it opened its doors in January 2020.
The hotel scores an Excellent rating with visitors to TripAdvisor, which is a notably hard to please crowd. People who have stayed here praise the cleanliness and eclectic atmosphere – and many take time to express how impressed they were with the hotel’s quirky and vibrant décor.
The hotel’s handy location and the quality of the amenities on offer also score well, but it is clear that the extra effort taken to create a genuinely unusual destination through the interior decorations has had the desired effect of making the nhow Hotel London unforgettable.
The Result
It’s exceptionally pleasing to be able to report that the relentless focus on quality that has made Sentinel London’s favourite specialist decorating subcontractor delivered a flawless result at the nhow Hotel London.
Willmott Dixon Interiors, our client on this project, was impressed with the result and the overall outcome of the work carried out at the site. Its managing director Graham Shaw said: “We were delighted to work on this fabulous new hotel with its innovative design concept.
“Our wealth of experience on hotel projects helped us to create a truly unique hotel for people to enjoy.”
Sustainability was a key element of the development for all parties involved, and for nhow itself. The hotel has targeted a BREEAM excellent rating, the leading standard for sustainable building.
The company’s commitment to implementing eco-friendly practices throughout the hotel let to the nhow London being recognised with a Green Key Award. Within the tourist industry, this is the gold standard for excellence in environmental responsibility and sustainable operation.
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Sentinel Contracting plc
Unit 2a Guildprime Business Centre,
Southend Road Billericay,
Essex CM11 2PZ
