An iconic Beaux Arts building overlooking the Tower of London, Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square offers a sumptuous setting for a wedding or luxury stay in the capital
The arrival of a new luxury London hotel is always something to celebrate, but Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square is set to be one of the most glamorous locations in the capital for a wedding celebration or honeymoon stay.
The new hotel is housed in a landmark Beaux Arts building that opened in 1922. Designed by Sir Edwin Cooper for the Port of London Authority, it was opened by then British Prime Minister David Lloyd George. At the time it was one of the tallest structures in the City and many hundreds of travellers passed through its Corinthian-columned entrance to register their arrival in London. Such was the building’s grandeur and scale that in 1946 the General Assembly of the United Nations held its inaugural assembly in what is now known as the UN Ballroom.
In fact, this locale has a far longer history and connection with travellers. During the 18th century, it was site of a warehouse of the East India Company, and in the 17th the Navy Board – London’s great diarist Samuel Pepys had an office here and lived just round the corner in what is now Pepys Street. Archeological excavations as part of its renovation even found fragments from Roman London.
And, to cement its position as part of the very fabric of London culture, parts of the building featured in the 2012 Bond film Skyfall as MI6; Ten Trinity Square made a memorable meeting point for a showdown between M and Mallory (Dame Judi Dench and Ralph Fiennes).
History meets 21st-century glamour
Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square began its renaissance in 2010 when it was bought by Reignwood. Treasures unveiled during excavations were donated to the Museum of London and a team of stone restoration experts brought the fantastic Portland Stone frontage and carvings back to their full glory.
The decision was made not to create reproductions internally (parts of the building were badly damaged by wartime bombs), but preserve as many surviving features as possible and then introduce contemporary design to this iconic setting. Bruno Moinard and Claire Bétaille of Parisian firm 4BI & Associés created the interiors of the hotel, as well as the swish private members’ club that also inhabits part of the site.
Wedding reception spaces
Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square has two fantastic ballrooms capable of hosting the grandest occasion. The largest is the UN Ballroom, with 30-foot ceilings, crystal chandeliers and original wood panelling. This traditional space can comfortably host 200 for a standing reception, 150 seated in the round or 56 banquet style.
In contrast, the Merchants Hall is a circular space flooded with natural light from its circumference of windows. This can host 90 for a standing reception or 70 for a wedding breakfast at round tables. The two ballrooms are linked by UN Reception, a swish maritime-inspired space that is perfect for meet and greet or cocktails.
The onsite wedding planning team can manage all the detail, from menu to flowers. Certain public spaces within or near the hotel may also be available to wedding parties, and this setting overlooking some of the capital’s finest sights means plenty of scope to build in unique London moments.
Honeymoon hotspot
For honeymooners, this is a wonderful base. The hotel’s 100 elegant rooms and suites and two restaurants – offering Asian and French cuisine – are destinations in their own right. The ground-floor La Dame de Pic restaurant is particularly notable as showcase for the talents of three-Michelin-Star holder Anne-Sophie Pic.
As you would expect, the Four Seasons team offer lots of luxury touches for honeymooners – everything from champagne breakfast or candlelit dinner in your suite to picnic baskets to help you take in the many sites of the city within a short stroll or riverboat ride. The spa here is definitely worth a visit, featuring two pools and eight treatment rooms – including a hammam suite and couples suite – in a tranquil classical setting inspired by London’s Roman history.
