Discover Brooklands, London’s stylish hotel restaurant catering to car enthusiasts. With a breathtaking Concorde model and a collection of vintage race cars, it’s a haven for those who appreciate the fusion of automotive history and fine dining.
Not many hoteliers put in the effort to create restaurants that cater to automotive enthusiasts, but Sir Michael Kadoorie, the Chairman of Peninsula Hotels, stands out due to his passion for speedsters and racing machines. In his new £1.1 billion London hotel, he not only named the top-floor restaurant after the iconic Brooklands racetrack but also adorned its interior with memorabilia and imagery associated with this renowned British circuit that was established in 1907.
Every inch of the space has been meticulously designed to evoke a sense of glamour and fascination with various modes of transportation. As you walk through the hotel’s reception towards the lift, which is artfully lined with wicker to resemble the basket of a hot-air balloon, you’ll pass by one of the Brooklands museum’s cherished antique cars. For the hotel’s grand opening, it was the Napier-Railton race car, which once held speed records in the 1930s, and shortly thereafter, a 1926 Delage 15-S-8, of which only four were ever manufactured.
Upon reaching the eighth floor and stepping into a circular lobby, you’ll be greeted by marquetry scenes that vividly depict the racing history of Brooklands. As you enter the bar, you’ll find leather-upholstered banquettes reminiscent of vintage car bench seats, chrome Lucas Racing lights adorning the bar counter, and even old-fashioned levers, much like those in an antique Rolls-Royce, for signaling waitstaff.
The interior design process spanned nearly eight years, and David Archer, co-founder of Archer Humphryes Architects in London, emphasized the importance of achieving perfection. Kadoorie’s vision was a tribute to the glamorous transport of the past, a comfortable haven for guests to unwind with a drink, and a space that harmoniously incorporated elements of British heritage.
There is arguably no more futuristic and space-age dining room in all of London, complete with a 14-meter model of Concorde suspended from the ceiling. Archer and his team decided to focus on Concorde not only because of its strong ties to Brooklands, where some of its components were crafted, but also because Kadoorie owned a portion of an original Concorde plane. According to Archer, “He phoned and said: ‘I’ve just bought the nose of Concorde, so let me know where it goes.’”
In the midst of original car and plane parts, the architects painstakingly crafted replicas that came incredibly close to the real thing, often differing by just a millimeter. For instance, the Concorde model was meticulously created in Santa Barbara by Neal Feay, known for transforming aluminum into aeronautical parts and artworks. The light fixtures, inspired by the rear brake light of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, were skillfully crafted by Genius of the Lamp in Birmingham, renowned for producing components for classic cars. The exquisite carpets, featuring the same constellation of stars one would see on a Concorde flight from London to New York, were woven in Taipei by manufacturers employed by Kadoorie’s Hong Kong Shanghai Hotels. Archer remarks, “We used all sorts of skills to bring this project to life, ranging from a couple of people in a small workshop in England to a centuries-old humidor manufacturer in Italy.”
Every single detail has been meticulously thought through, so the entire space, from the bar and restaurant to the lounge, private dining room, and tabac shop, maintains a strong connection to various modes of transportation. The ceiling, for instance, showcases a basket-weave pattern once used in the fuselage of a Vickers Wellington bomber, while the bar is adorned with fascias from a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.
The central chandelier, which elegantly rotates, was fashioned from the blades of a Concorde Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 turbine. In the dining room, a modern, kinetic artwork reinterprets the patterns of air currents behind Concorde’s engines. Even the tabac shop, filled with cigar boxes from around the world, was inspired by a 1914 Hispano-Suiza car observed at the V&A museum.
Walking through Brooklands, you’re not just a diner; you’re a traveler in time. The attention to detail is impeccable, from the chandelier spun from Concorde’s turbine blades to the marquetry scenes that recount Brooklands’ racing history. This chic eatery isn’t merely a restaurant; it’s a museum of motion and a tribute to the pioneers of speed. Whether you’re sipping a cocktail amidst leather banquettes that harken back to classic cars or admiring the Concorde model suspended above, every visit to Brooklands is an unforgettable journey.
Brooklands is not just a hotel restaurant; it’s a unique experience that seamlessly blends the worlds of fast machines and exquisite cuisine. From the iconic Concorde model to the meticulously crafted race cars, every detail is a testament to the passion of Sir Michael Kadoorie. It’s a tribute to a bygone era of glamorous transport and an exciting glimpse into the future, all set within the rich tapestry of British heritage. Dining at Brooklands is a journey through time and a true delight for car enthusiasts and connoisseurs of luxury.
It’s where the love for automobiles and the art of fine dining unite in perfect harmony.
