Royal Lancaster London hotel - London, UK

Architect Richard Seifert’s 18-storey Royal Lancaster London turns 50 this year and to celebrate, its Thai owners have just lavished £80m on a tip-to-toe refurbishment. 

Studio Proof capitalises on the hotel’s coveted location on the edge of Hyde Park by turning the furnishings in each of the 411 rooms – a modern take on the mid-century look in sage green, white Carrara marble, Spinneybeck leather, and wool and silk throws – towards either greenery and London landmarks like St Paul’s Cathedral and Notting Hill. 

The most dramatic changes, though, are the public spaces, in particular a new sweeping entrance and lobby braced in gold lacquer, brass and bronze, and anchored by a white marble staircase, and walls swathed in pale grey horsehair. 

The in-house Nipa Thai is the setting for richly spiced curries and views of The Italian Gardens in Hyde Park, whilst the Island Grill scores for its mod Brit menu.