One for the stars

The 51 Buckingham Gate, Taj Suites & Residences, London has unveiled a first of its kind, the new Cinema Suite created by acclaimed Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee.  

The suite was inaugurated by K Chiranjeevi, Union Minister of State for Tourism for India, during his visit to London for the World Travel Market 2012.

At once a journey through world cinema and an ode to tradition, the 1,832 sq ft, two bedroom suite, with dining room, study, powder room and kitchen, has been designed in tribute to the history of film and takes inspiration from motion pictures across the globe. Aptly, the Cinema Suite will open just ahead of celebrations marking 100 years of Indian film in 1913.

Known for his kitschy aesthetics, the suite not only reflects Mukherjee’s evocative and eclectic fashion concepts at every nook and corner, but most significantly, it nods to his links to the film world. The designer forayed into films by designing costumes for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s landmark film, Black which earned him critical acclaim along with the National Award in 2005 for Best Costume Designer for a feature film. 

Whether it’s the dreamy Bollywood inspired master bedroom, the Stepford Wives’ inspired kitchen or the red carpet down the hallway, Mukherjee has brought together elements from Mexican, Iranian, Indian and world cinema to create eclectic mix of cinematic elements.

The suite is inspired most notably by 1940s and 1950s Hollywood as well as the Indian Cinema era of the 1950’s. Guests will find reference to masters such as Ray, Francis Ford Coppola and Bergman in the imposing study, world cinema leaders like Majidi, Wong Kar-Wai and Almodovar amongst the cultured kitsch of the living room. 

They will sense the golden Hollywood era of Rita Hayworth and Marilyn Monroe in one bedroom whilst the other draws on colonial inspiration and renowned Indian artists such as Guru Dutt and Merchant Ivory and Bimal Roy.

The suite is a celebration of personalised detail and global culture. Guests will marvel at breathtakingly rare Bollywood film prints, remarkable history books, vintage mirrors and a myriad of portraits and drawings. 

From the leather Chesterfield to precious glassware, intriguing art and antique rugs, world arts and crafts are displayed throughout. Each wall is a work of art in itself, with striking Nina Campbell wallpapers in burnt orange, black and red, laden with curios collected from over 32 different cultures. Sumptuous silk drapery meets magnificent oak flooring, while priceless antique furniture displays ornaments such as rare Chinese porcelain, Bhutanese frames and 1920s embroidered Indian lamps. 

Mukherjee, himself a student of art is also the founder of the Sabyasachi Art Foundation to provide support to Bengali artists. Some of the works of the foundation can be found adorned on the walls of the Suite.

Amidst all its glamorous design, the Cinema Suite also offers guests cutting-edge technology. Staying true to its name, the suite features a 85 inch plasma screen with a 3D state of the art home theatre system, one of the biggest private screens in any London hotel suite and specifically chosen to give guests a truly personal home cinematic experience.
It is assisted by a world class Steinway Lyngdorf cinema system – a fully immersive cinematic experience and raises the bar in terms in-hotel audio visual offerings.

The system has been preloaded with a repertoire of 300 international motion pictures, books and music, chosen by Sabyasachi himself to acknowledge that time is well spent amongst films, art and culture. 

The lounge-cum-screening room was conceptualised and fitted around a Chesterfield that easily takes centre stage. It was chosen owing to the designer’s fondness for the British Chesterfield and sits proudly amidst all the various textiles, colours, objects and the magnificent plasma TV.

Rates at The Cinema Suite start at £5,100 ($8,101) per night. 

Whilst utterly different in style, the Cinema Suite is the second designer collaboration for 51 Buckingham Gate, following the launch of the world’s first Jaguar Suite which was conceived by Jaguar Design director, Ian Callum and opened at the hotel in autumn 2011. The sleek design of this 1,832 sq ft, two-bedroom abode alludes to classic and contemporary Jaguar models, from the legendary 1960’s E-type to the state-of-the art C-X75.

Part of the Taj Group, 51 Buckingham Gate Taj Suites & Residences, combines the facilities and convenience of a luxury hotel with the space and exclusivity of a private home, 51 Buckingham Gate, Taj Suites & Residences consists of three individually designed buildings: Kings, Falconers and Minsters. The buildings have been beautifully restored and ‘51’ now offers 86 elegant suites each with their own separate kitchen and living area. Located in St James’s and just minutes from Buckingham Palace, shops and theatres of the West End, the townhouse hotel is an ideal base for a long weekend visit to London.