L'oscar London hotel to expand and overhaul restaurant after sale

The L'oscar hotel, which was designed by architect Jacques Garcia and opened in Holborn in 2018, marks Michel Reybier Hospitality's first hotel outside of France and Switzerland.

Part of the Grade II-listed building was once a church and between 1901 and 1903 became the headquarters of the Baptist Union in England.

Raouf Finan, chief executive of Michel Reybier Hospitality, told The Caterer the group had its eye on the hotel from afar for several years before taking it on.

Finan said the building next door will be developed to add "what the hotel is lacking", including a gym and possible treatment rooms, as well as expanding the number of guest rooms from 39 to around 50.

One of the hotel's two meeting rooms (pictured below) may become a library lounge area for hotel guests to work undisturbed.

A major investment in the hotel's food and beverage offer is also planned, with Finan keen to create concepts that will appeal to locals.

This will include a restaurant across two storeys in the former church space and an all-day dining area at the front of the hotel.

Allan Pickett, who was appointed head chef at the hotel in June 2021, is remaining in his role.

Finan said: "Going into a luxury hotel is not a natural thing, but I want people to feel comfortable here. Even if there is a pound difference between the price, we need that repeat business. You can come in the morning for coffee, then for a drink and for dinner."

He added that when he arrived, the hotel had curtains on the windows, which he lowered by half. "If you don't see what's inside you don't feel comfortable going in," he said.

The wider construction is expected to take between 18 months and two years, although the restaurant is expected to relaunch in September.

Further expansion

When asked on whether the company had plans to open further hotels in the UK, Finan said: "Accumulation is not our target. We won't say we want to have 50 hotels in 10 years. We will go as quick as our staff allows us to. Without them, there is nothing."

He added: "We first need to prove ourselves because we're in a tough market and people don't know us [in the UK]. We have to show we can deliver. If we can do that maybe, we'll go to south London or Ireland or Liverpool. We have to start somewhere."

L'oscar was previously owned by Triangle Hotels and Resort and was expected to be the first of a number of branded hotels in a collection following its £40m opening in 2018.

It is the 13th property in Michel Reybier's portfolio of hotels and resorts, which includes La Réserve hotels in Paris, Zurich, and on Lake Geneva.