London’s hotels have always boasted some of the finest suites in the world, and in January 2005 the new Infinity Suite at the Langham Hotel, London will take its place with the best of them.

What is it about hotel suites that so captures the imagination and makes them the stuff of legends?

There is a whiff of glamour that touches everything that happens in suites – they are not for ordinary life. Movie stars hide out in them. Megabuck deals are signed, world leaders meet behind closed doors, proposals of marriage are made, trysts are sealed and special events in people’s lives are celebrated. Suites are what life should be like. They are large, they are immaculately clean, and they are wonderfully comfortable. Exquisite food arrives and is cleared away, and no effort is required of you, other than to enjoy the service.

When the Infinity Suite welcomes its first guests in January 2005, it will take its place amongst the very best and largest suites in London, covering a total area of 415 square metres.

The name “Infinity” is inspired by the endless possibilities and experiences that could happen in such a luxurious suite. And it is also inspired by a very unusual feature – in the master bathroom there is a huge infinity bath, with the water constantly overflowing over the edge into a rill. The ultra-deep bath is designed around the concept of chromatherapy. At the touch of a button, the water moves through a spectrum of eight colours from relaxing to stimulating. The Kohler SOK™ infinity bath was first introduced to the UK in 2003, and until now has only been used in private houses.

The Designers

The designer of the Infinity Suite is Jan Wilson of RPW Design. (www.rpwdesign.com). RPW Design is one of the UK’s leading interior design practices specialising in hospitality design worldwide. The success of RPW Design is built on their ability to produce the most intelligent, appropriate and exciting design solutions, and to rethink the design process in order to offer innovative results. As a result the company has a broad client base and has worked with internationally recognised 5-star names (including Gleneagles, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Laguna Niguel, USA and at the Wentworth Golf Club) and also on very individual projects (such as the Grand Palace Hotel in Riga and on the recently completed Swan Hellenic ‘Minerva II’ Cruise Liner).

The Best Suite in London

RPW’s design brief, from the Langham Hotel’s Managing Director Duncan Palmer, was simple. He explains:

“There were no boundaries to our brief. We simply wanted to end up with one of the best suites in London.”

Responding to that brief, Jan Wilson says:
“Firstly, the suite must be beautiful, but it must also work, and everything must be in the right place. It must be surprising. It must feel right for both men and women. “

The overall design is contemporary with classic references. Contemporary design can be truly luxurious, says Jan.

“The Infinity Suite will have the most wonderful plush feeling,” she explains, “We have used traditional materials, which just get better with age – velvet, silk taffeta, toile. And lighting and artwork are key.”

The lighting is by Sally Storey of the award-winning Lighting Design International, and the artwork has been sourced by Jan Wilson. Much of the furniture has been specially designed for the space.

The suite has an entrance lobby, a drawing room, a master bedroom with a dressing room and a vast bathroom; a kitchen, and a second bedroom and bathroom.

Jan Wilson concludes:
“We wanted to make whoever is staying in the Infinity Suite feel sexy and special. And as far as the design is concerned, I‘d like to think that what we are doing could be called “contemporary grand.”

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