Discovering The Beaumont
Stepping out of a black cab into the grounds of The Beaumont Hotel in Mayfair, London, my eyes met a cheerful man wearing a top hat. His energetic smile and thick northern accent set the tone for the week at this art deco property. I came to discover that this was head doorman Colin Case and that he possesses a trove of hidden-gem recommendations. A favorite of his, the Wallace Collection, was only a stroll away. The private museum is draped in velvet and hosts a wonderfully curated collection of fine art, sculptures, furniture, and armor. I had the entire place almost all to myself, which further added to its grandiosity. Winding hallways seemed endless, and around every turn, new exhibitions appeared. But my cultural experience wasn’t limited to the museum. While looking out my room window at The Beaumont, I came face-to-face with a sculpture perched on the corner of the hotel’s facade. It turns out that what looks like a contemplative, sitting figure from the outside is, in fact, a one-of-a-kind suite designed by Turner Prize–winner Antony Gormley. Inside, the suite is a lofty, intricate, wood-paneled room intentionally furnished with only a bed to promote a distraction-free, meditative night’s sleep. So whether your pleasure is a stoic stay or an extravaganza, rest assured that The Beaumont and Mr. Case have you sorted.
Appeared in Departures’ November 2023 special print edition and on the website.