‘Titanic’ hotel to celebrate £85m relaunch in Bloomsbury

Venue with links to doomed liner will reopen on 106th anniversary 
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A grand Victorian “ocean liner” hotel in Bloomsbury with close connections to the Titanic is to reopen after an £85 million refurbishment.

The vast 120-year-old former Hotel Russell in Bloomsbury — one of the most impressive examples of French Renaissance-style architectural splendour in London — has been shut for almost a year.

Paul Walters, general manager of the 334-room hotel, which is being renamed Principal London, said it will be proud to “celebrate” its links to the world’s most famous ocean liner when it reopens on April 16 — a day after the 106th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. The Grade II* listed building was designed by Charles Fitzroy Doll, the architect responsible for the first-class restaurant on the doomed White Star vessel, which was said to be a close replica of the hotel’s dining room.

A number of Titanic passengers stayed at the hotel before travelling to Southampton for the inaugural sailing and the twin of a bronze dragon known as Lucky George that went down with the vessel is found on the landing of the hotel’s main staircase. A 1997 film based on the disaster starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

Mr Walters said: “We do celebrate the whole Fitzroy Doll connection. He was the main architect of the hotel and he was commissioned to do the first-class parts of the Titanic. She’s a lady of a certain age but she’s also a lady of a certain look.”

He added that he hoped the opening would put Bloomsbury back on the map as one of central London’s most exciting districts. Designers Tara Bernerd and Russell Sage Studio have overseen the interiors of the hotel, where rooms will start from £225 a night.

Tim Winter

The main restaurant, called Neptune, will be run by Brett Redman and Margaret Crow, the owners of Hackney gastropub The Richmond and Borough market cafe Elliot’s.

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