What do The Ned and Country Life have in common? Ben Harris checks in to find out. Built in 1924 and designed by Sir Edwin ‘Ned’ (see what they did there?) Lutyens, The Ned was formerly the Midland Bank headquarters. In 2017, after being left empty for a number of years, the headquarters was transformed and The Ned hotel was launched.
There are a staggering 250 bedrooms, 10 restaurants and bars and a spa. It also has a private member’s space — which includes access to the rooftop pool and The Vault bar in the original bank’s vault. Bank Underground station is a few feet away; Cannon Street is seven minutes on foot.
Room categories extend from ‘Cosy’ to ‘Grand heritage’, and all are saturated in 1920’s style. I stayed on the Grade 1-Listed fifth floor, in a gorgeous and elegant ‘Heritage’ (above) room. Many of the original Lutyens’ features have been preserved so entering the room felt like stepping back in time.
Inside, I came across dark wood furniture and panelling, floor-to-ceiling curtains and a grand, four poster bed. (Of note is the fact that Country Life’s founder, Edward Hudson, was a patron of Lutyens.) A free-standing bath stood proud in front of a towering window.
The separate bathroom boasted an indulgent, walk-in, marble rainforest shower. The wonderful and colossal lobby — once-upon-a-time, the banking hall — and lower ground floor cradle the seven restaurants and three bars. In the centre of the lobby there’s a stage for live m.