The Sofitel St James London

Sofitel London St. James stands at the crossroads of past and present, combining British neoclassical elegance and cutting-edge French style at the corner of Pall Mall and Waterloo Place—near Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and all the museums, theaters, and shops of London’s West End. Behind the grade II–listed facade, the former bank-turned-hotel features 183 accommodations, a three-story Sofitel So Spa, The Balcon brasserie, Rose Lounge and library, St. James Bar, and meeting rooms for groups of 12 to 180 people.

The French celebrity designer Pierre-Yves Rochon fashioned most of the interiors to hint at the glamour of London’s theater district and the pizzazz of Paris in the ‘20s. Traditional mahogany furnishings and deep carpets in the 183 guest rooms accompany the latest in five-star hotel accoutrements, for instance. Another prime example from Rochon, the St. James Bar, took inspiration from designer Coco Chanel’s Parisian pied-à-terre.

In contrast, London’s SparcStudio designed the meeting and events spaces to convey a contemporary light, neutral feel set off by plum and purple accents and chandeliers made from either translucent porcelain shards or crystal droplets. The latest technology includes a remote touch-screen system to monitor the rooms, videoconferencing, Wi-Fi, plus rear-projection and LCD screens. For groups motivated by successful business, travel, exciting food, art, or culture, Sofitel’s InspiredMeetings concept ensures a highly personalized experience every time.