St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London to Grand Open on 5 May 2011

The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London has opened following an extensive renovation by Manhattan Loft Corporation in conjunction with London & Continental Railways.

The original building - The Midland Grand Hotel - was designed and built by the Victorian architect, Sir George Gilbert Scott, and opened on 5 May 1873. It has been masterfully restored and will celebrate its grand opening 138 years to the day after the original on 5 May 2011.

The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London exemplifies High Victorian Gothic architecture in its most dramatic sense, the stunning redbrick building having been saved from demolition in the sixties by a protest led by former Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman.

Preserving the glamour of the old station and the romance of rail travel during the 1800s, the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London maintains its elegance and charm by offering global travellers a gateway to London in the form of one of the city’s landmarks. The opening of the hotel also marks the completion of the regeneration of St Pancras International Station, now the home of Eurostar.

The hotel is soon to feature The Gilbert Scott restaurant, run by one of Britain’s most celebrated chefs, Marcus Wareing, which will open inside the historic building in May. The restaurant will feature a David Collins designed interior that perfectly complements the stunning Victorian Gothic architecture of the iconic building.

The magnificent interior of the hotel has been restored to its former glory with painstaking attention to detail using expert teams of hundreds of craftsmen and painters. Many of the original areas of the hotel considered of particular historical importance have been carefully renovated including the ‘Ladies Smoking Room’, the first place in Europe where it was acceptable for women to smoke in public.

The infamous sweeping forecourt provides a fitting entrance for the new hotel that showcases restored gold-leaf ceilings, ornate wall murals and the spectacular grand staircase. The famous staircase, one of the most majestic in England, with windows measuring over 50 feet and crowned by an elaborate vaulted ceiling, has been featured in many films and music videos most notably Batman and the Spice Girl’s video for their debut single ‘Wannabe’.

The £150 million renovation of the 245-room hotel consists of the historic St Pancras Chambers that houses 38 Victorian bedroom suites, and Barlow House, the newly created 120,000 square foot extension that features original artwork and contemporary design.

Guests can continue to relive the glamour of the Victorian era at The Booking Office bar & restaurant - recreated in the original ticket office. Playing on the themes of discovery and experimentalism, visitors can enjoy a modern twist on traditional cocktails, including a range of popular punches from the 1800s served in hand-made copper punch bowls. In addition, the Booking Office boasts the best ‘by the glass’ wine offering in the whole of London. Delicious British delicacies will also be served up by top chef Julien Maisonneuve, formerly head chef at Tom’s Kitchen.

The hotel is also home to a 500 capacity event hall, a private club, a gentleman’s grooming salon headed up by celebrity favourite Carmelo Guastella and a luxury spa, which includes a swimming pool and 6 treatment rooms.

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