My Stay at Islington Hotel - A Boutique Hotel Merges Heritage Opulence with Contemporary Luxe

Islington Hotel first hit my radar because it is listed on small luxury hotels of the world. It was a late-night check-in.  It is a boutique hotel situated in a private yet proximal location, exuding an intimate and inviting home vibe.  The moment I walked in, I experienced that entry "wow" factor. A crystal chandelier hung from the high ceiling, and the statement piece was a massive weaving rug. Just a quick glimpse into its mixed collection of artwork and interior décor around the foyer, and the word 'eclectic' popped into my head—an ultimate mix and collage-like interior style.  On my left-hand side, it was a formal breakfast room & library wall featuring opulent antique furnishings. Having just checked in at the Victoria Mansion the night before and visited a Greek Revival Museum house during the day, I wasn't intimidated by the ostentatious and grand interiors. However, I did feel a moment of being overwhelmed by its eye-popping palette and full-on embrace of antiques. Overall, the furnishings embody a very palpable global influence—a mix of English country house and oriental mystery.

While historical touches and ornate decorations are embellished throughout, a small door opening at the entry leads up to a glass conservatory featuring contemporary cool in juxtaposition with grand opulence of other rooms. The glass conservatory is approximately 100 sq/f, serving as the restaurant and bar. Full-height glass panels from floor to ceiling blur the threshold between indoor and outdoor. Avant-garde sculptures infuse whimsy and playfulness into the atrium. Meticulous attention manifests through all design details, from the color matching of dining chairs and sculptures to the transition in floor materials from wood to mosaic tile.   Above all, ambient lighting was instrumental in creating an unparalleled immersive and enveloping moment for me on the spot. 
I checked into the loft suites, an attic on the top level of the hotel. Meticulously-designed boutique hotels always connect me to a sense of intimacy akins to the feeling of a home sanctuary.  Islington Hotel truly prioritizes guests' comfort and convenience  at the core and forefront with its full range of modern amenities, thoughtful curated design, and unpretentious presentation. It was a night of sound sleep.
The next day, I woke up to breathtaking sweeping views of Mount Wellington and took a relaxed stroll through Islington Garden. Islington's heritage silhouette was unveiled in the natural sunlight and dissolved into its mountain landscape. Built in 1847, Islington Hotel retains its original Regency architectural features, keeping its  stucco façade intact.I truly appreciate that the dwelling's heritage elements are sustained and intertwined with contemporary sophistication, adhering to the ethos of honoring the home's history without compromising its modern aesthetics.

Boldness and playfulness are woven into the opulent interior embellishment and further extend to its exterior structure. Award-winning architects Robert Morris Nunn adopted a robust and refined approach, pulling the new elements together, evolving its original form, and transforming the Islington property into a hotel pavilion with an amazing new wing: the conservatory.  
I also want to give a shoutout to the hotel’s top-notch hospitality with their highest level of sincerity and consideration. The patient approach in lieu of contemporary practices deeply applied to Islington’s architecture transformation, interior design, and connection to outdoor living, creating a retreat-like and immersive experience. This philosophy also extends to the hotel's service ethos—controlled and measured, discreet yet organic.  I wholeheartedly recommend Islington hotel to art enthusiasts, solo travelers, and city hustle birds.

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