If you haven’t yet heard about The Ned, the chances are you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last few months.
London’s hottest venue, this hotel come party palace is the City’s answer to Soho House and the place to be seen this summer. Based in the former Midland Bank, the building was purchased by Nick Jones (funnily enough, the founder of Soho House Co.) in 2012 and has since undergone an extensive £200m refurbishment programme to create a social beacon in the heart of London.
Upon entry at street-level, you are greeted with an abundance of eateries, including, Cecconi’s, Millie’s Lounge and Malibu Kitchen centred around Nickel Bar which sits at the heart of the space. With a total of nine restaurants to choose from, food from all over the world is served with menus changed on a weekly basis. The Ned’s historic 3,000 square metre former banking hall is complimented by verdite columns and rows of Grade-I listed walnut banking counters, dividing each restaurant into its own distinct space. This then leads into an area of fast service restaurants including Zobler’s Deli and Kaia, which compliment the two that are strictly for members only.
Although primarily a private member’s club, The Ned also provides a plethora of additional home comforts alongside the numerous restaurants and bar: a nail bar, hair salon, barber and heated swimming pool all adorn the extensive drinking and dining offer.
Nevertheless, if you are lucky enough to be a member, there is a trove of other gems you are fortunate enough to have at your fingertips. If one rooftop pool (heated of course) is not enough, then there is another at The Ned’s “Club Relax”. Complete with a sauna, steam room, traditional Moroccan Hammam and eight treatment rooms, you could spend all day unwinding and hiding from the responsibilities of the world. Added to the mix is “Club Active” – which in layman’s terms is a gym – a state-of-the-art workout space with separate studios and a specialist boxing area.
If you’re feeling thirsty after your workout then members can also take advantage of The Vault bar and lounge which, hidden behind a 20-tonne, two metre wide vault door, dominates the bottom of the building. This is the only place to be seen at the end of the night, with a literal lock in complete with dancing, a DJ and the best R’n’B classics.
For those who are privileged to be staying the night, you will have your pick of the 252 rooms that are on offer. With their 1900s design, the rooms are a complete with niche gins, mahogany baths and a concierge service that delivers almost anything your heart desires to your room. You can then wake up bleary-eyed and ready to take on another restaurant (or pool).
So will the hype last? As one of its kind, The Ned certainly has the fundamentals to thrive in the fast-paced City alongside infinite embellishments on top of that. We might just have to go back next year to find out…
