Claridge's is a traditional grand hotel which is said to have an aristocratic ambiance. Its extensive connections with royalty have led to it being referred to as an "extension to Buckingham Palace". It was founded in 1812 as Mivart's Hotel, located in a conventional London terraced house and grew by expanding into neighbouring houses. In 1854, the founder sold the hotel to a Mr and Mrs Claridge who owned a smaller hotel next door.

In 1999 Claridge's embarked on the first major designer restoration since the 1930s, when David Collins was invited to create a new cocktail bar. New York-based designer Thierry Despont was brought in to revitalise the Foyer area. Using archive photographs of the Ballroom Extension that dated from the early 1930s as inspiration, the space was completely made over in a modern art deco style, with a stunning, and completely up-to-the minute Dale Chihuly chandelier as its centrepiece.

A dramatic and notable way for Claridge's to enter the 21st Century, Thierry Despont went on to create Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's.

tags: london, hotel

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