It’s exciting news in the hotel industry, Corinthia Hotels has just  released details about its £270m five-star luxury hotel in central London, which is expected to open early next year.

The Corinthia Hotel London, currently under construction in what was the original Metropole Hotel from the 1880s and subsequently part of the Ministry of Defence, will be the group’s ninth hotel.

In addition to two restaurants, a concept cocktail bar, boardroom meeting facilities and a refurbished grand ballroom, the hotel will have 294 bedrooms, including 45 suites. The average room-size will be 45sq m and the two-bedroom Royal Suite will be more than 470sq m.

The adjoining 10 Whitehall Place property will be redeveloped to include a luxury spa operated by ESPA. Chef Massimo Riccioli, owner of La Rosetta in Rome, Italy, will be responsible for the fish and seafood restaurant at the Corinthia and the hotel will also provide for all-day dining with a new-wave British restaurant.

Alfred Pisani, chairman and founder of the Corinthia Hotel Group said: “Once again, the eyes of worldwide travellers are turning towards the business and cultural attractions of London.

“I am dedicating myself, personally and with great passion, to delivering to London a five-star, luxury hotel, which will be amongst the best-of-the-best in the world. Corinthia Hotel London will be a true grand hotel for the 21st century.”

A consortium made up of International Hotel Investments (IHI) of Malta, and two of its principal shareholders, Libyan Foreign Investment Company and Nakheel Hotels of Dubai, purchased the Metropole building and the adjoining 10 Whitehall Place from the Crown Estate in 2008.

Last year the investors secured a £135m bank loan raised from a syndication of banks led and arranged by Barclays. The other members of the syndicate include the Libyan Foreign Bank, the Arab Banking Corporation and the Bank of Valletta of Malta. The bank loan matched the £135m invested as equity by the developers, setting a 50:50 loan-to-equity gearing on the project.

It’s bad news for those Chelsea french food lovers, hotspot Papillon Brasserie has closed, with owner Soren Jessen exploring the possibility of selling the restaurant.

The move comes after Jessen, who also owns One Lombard Street in the City, was refused planning permission to extend the restaurant.

“We have had a number of tremendously good years at Papillon, and I wanted to develop the site for an exciting new and more casual concept,” Jessen said.

“Once we realised it wasn’t going to be possible at the Papillon building, we regretfully took the decision to look elsewhere for the perfect site. We may still come up with a new concept for this site, or we may sell outright.”

Papillon first opened in 2006 on the site of a former Thai restaurant. Last year it appointed a new head chef, Tom Hempstead, to lead a change of direction for the restaurant.

Jessen has appointed restaurant specialist property agent Davis Coffer Lyons to advise on options for the restaurant.

To celebrate London Fashion Week, the  skilled Japanese chefs at aqua kyoto have created a delicious, low fat and high energy bento box to recharge and energize the most frantic of fashionistas. The Bento Box boasts a unique selection of some of the world’s healthiest Japanese dishes. Head Chef Jordan Sclare has carefully selected ingredients known for their extraordinary health and cosmetic benefits. For example,  Salmon and Tuna Sashimi high in omega 3 and fatty acids, essential for developing and maintaining healthy skin.Miso soup with seaweed is low in calories, seaweed also promotes healthy, glossy hair.

Conveniently situated off Regent Street, aqua kyoto is the ideal location for the fashion savvy. The restaurant’s contemporary design includes a sunken sushi bar with surround seating offering your very own Front Row to watch the culinary masters at work.  The aqua kyoto Fashion Week Bento Box is ideal for those searching for a light, low calorie and invigorating lunch.

www.aqua-london.com

Emma Watson’s People Tree collection will make its catwalk debut this September  at The Prince of Wales’ eco festival, A Garden Party To Make A Difference.

The fashion show of the actresses’ spring/summer 2011 collection will take place on September 12 at 3.30pm and will be held in the historic Friary Court of St James’ Palace.  Watson created her first collection for the Fair Trade and organic clothing label last year, frustrated by the lack of clothing aimed at people her age. 

“I’m so thrilled that People Tree will be showing the spring/summer collection at A Garden Party To Make A Difference. I think The Prince of Wales’ initiative is such a brilliant idea and I’m thrilled,” says Watson of her involvement with the event .

YO! Sushi has turned its expertise to teaching the art of sushi making to young children. Sushi loving parents can now take their brood along to a participating London restaurant on selected dates throughout August.

The adults of the western world learnt the delicious health benefits of YO! Sushi’s diverse range of Japanese delights in 1997, when the popular conveyor belt eatery exploded onto the scene. Now with up to 50 sites in the UK, the gang at YO! Sushi are setting their sights on the next generation with their new, ‘Sushi School For Mini Ninjas’.

Aimed at ages between 6 -10 years old, classes are kept small, up to 10, to ensure each little person is well looked after. Each is a one hour fun and informative class whereby each, ‘ninja’ will learn how to make three of the most popular sushi dishes: maki, nigiri and gunkan and learn about the culture of Japanese food.

Each place costs just £5 per child, who must be accompanied by an adult. All outlets have their own dates and customers are encouraged to call their preferred YO! Sushi directly. Due to popular demand, the ‘Sushi School For Mini Ninjas’ will be rolled out across the brand in the near future, making us a sushi loving nation across generations.

Sushi School is available at four of YO! Sushi’s restaurants in London, including Brent Cross, Islington, Fulham Broadway and Whiteleys.

YO! Sushi School Brent Cross

Unit 6a, Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Prince Charles Drive, London NW4 3FY
T: 020 8203 7907