London-based Soho House & Co and New York’s Sydell Group have joined forces to create The Ned: a five star hotel with a collection of restaurants, members’ club and spa in the City of London, close to Bank Station and opposite the Coq d’Argent restaurant.

Set in a former Midland Bank building, The Ned was designed by Sir Edwin ‘Ned’ Lutyens in 1924. The space includes nine restaurants, two of which are reserved for Club members and hotel guests (who get temporary Club membership for the duration of their stay), 252 bedrooms channeling 1920s and 1930s design, a range of men’s and women’s grooming services and ‘Ned’s Club’, a social and fitness club, where members have access to a rooftop pool, gym, spa, hammam and late night lounge bar.

Ned’s Club

Ned’s Club, available to members and hotel guests, offers a range of rooms and facilities.

Ned’s Club Upstairs has a heated pool overlooking the London skyline and two converted domes with outdoor terraces for eating and drinking – Princes Dome and Poultry Dome. The Roof Bar features a retractable roof and heaters, and offers views of the City and St Paul’s Cathedral, with an international menu prepared on the rotisserie grill and wood oven.

Dominating the belly of the building, behind the 20-tonne, two-metre wide vault door, is the original Midland Bank strongroom, home to The Vault bar & lounge. This all-hours cocktail lounge is lined with 3,800 original safety deposit boxes and is the ideal spot for a nightcap. The bar serves drinks as well as a late-night Italian menu, with DJs, live music and member events.

Ned’s Club Active has cardio, strength and training equipment, a boxing gym, Pilates, yoga studio and House Ride (spinning).  At Ned’s Club Relax, the spa, there is a 20 metre swimming pool, hammam, sauna and steam room.

Bedrooms

Each room channels 1920s and 1930s design, with vintage pieces, hand-knotted rugs and rainforest showers. Brass and mahogany furniture, chandeliers and richly patterned furnishings decorate The Ned’s 252 bedrooms.

Eating & Drinking

The Ned’s food offerings, located on both the ground floor and rooftop, span the globe, from Britain to Italy, North America to Asia.

Eight restaurants sit among The Ned’s historic 3,000 square metre former banking hall. Each of the restaurants has its own distinct space, separated by 92 verdite columns and rows of walnut banking counters.  The rooftop bar/restaurant for members and guests is the ninth.

Restaurants include Cecconi’s City of London – sister restaurant to the Cecconi’s in Mayfair, Berlin, Istanbul, Miami Beach and West Hollywood, serving modern Italian dishes; Cafe Sou – a Parisian-inspired café, serving classic French dishes and daily specials; Zobler’s – a New York style deli serving up a selection of specialty egg, smoked fish and smoked meat sandwiches along with classic soups, salads and desserts including Matzo Ball Soup, Potato Latkes and N.Y. Cheesecake; Millie’s Lounge – a British brasserie with a 24-hour menu; Malibu Kitchen – Californian food in the City, serving superfood salads, flatbreads, juices and smoothies; The Nickel Bar – a casual menu of time honoured American staples and classic cocktails; Kaia – a modern Asian-Pacific-inspired restaurant specialising in healthy “bowl” food including poke, and Lutyens Grill – an American steakhouse, with trolleys and gueridon service reserved for members and hotel guests.

The editor was invited to dine at the exclusive rooftop restaurant which is technically only open to club members and hotel guests.  The ambience and the views are great and the service and food excellent – and at extremely reasonable prices for a 5* hotel.  With the smallest hotel rooms available at less than £200 a night it should be a popular destination for both tourists and business people visiting the City of London.

The Ned is at 27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ, Tel: + 44 (0)20 3828 2000.  More details available on the website: www.thened.com