Sandra‘s Closet

London’s oldest luxury hotel has handed three of its finest bedrooms to Sir Paul Smith, and the result is one of the most charming things to happen in Mayfair this summer. Opening in July 2026, the Paul Smith Grand Suite at Brown’s Hotel is conceived as a private London residence rather than a hotel suite, with three generous bedrooms connected by a bespoke Paul Smith corridor.

The collaboration brings together two great British institutions: Brown’s, the grande dame of Albemarle Street, and one of Britain’s most beloved designers, Paul Smith, who started his design empire in a small Nottingham shop in 1970. Created with Olga Polizzi, Director of Design at Rocco Forte Hotels, the new suite evolves the much celebrated Sir Paul Smith Suite into something larger, warmer and even more personal.

Everything here carries his handwriting. Curtains in the iconic Signature Stripe, developed with Maharam Fabrics, are tied back with original Paul Smith ties, a detail I find completely irresistible. Rugs from the 2026 collection with The Rug Company anchor the rooms, while Harris Tweed adds a quiet nod to his current ready to wear collection.

British craftsmanship runs through the whole apartment like a red thread. Hand painted porcelain lamps by Lyngard, ceramics commissioned from Charlotte Salt and Elaine King, glass pieces by Emsie Sharp and Stewart Hearn. Add English antiques, historic Japanese screens and Sir Paul’s own collected treasures, and you have a residence with layers, humour and a real sense of a person living in it.

Mayfair, tailored.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Brown’s Hotel
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From Mayfair to the South Downs: Brown’s Hotel Unveils the Town & Country Retreat

Mayfair in the morning, the rolling chalk hills of East Sussex by afternoon. Brown’s Hotel in London and The Star in Alfriston have joined forces to launch the Town & Country Retreat, a four day journey that pairs the cultural riches of the capital with the quiet beauty of the South Downs National Park.

On paper, the two hotels could hardly be more different. In spirit, they are kindred: both family run, both shaped by the unmistakable hand of designer Olga Polizzi, and both devoted to seasonal cooking, personal service and experiences rooted in their surroundings. Together they reveal two perfectly complementary sides of England, one urban, artistic and full of possibility, the other rural, unhurried and exceptionally beautiful.

Two Nights at Brown’s Hotel, London

The retreat opens with two nights in a newly renovated Deluxe Room at Brown’s, Mayfair’s grande dame. A curated programme grants guests rare access to the city: private backstage tours of the Royal Opera House or the Royal Ballet, a walk through Mayfair’s celebrated gallery scene with art historian Maeve Doyle, including exclusive entry to the Colnaghi Gallery, or a stroll in the footsteps of writers, artists and royals with historian Andy Williamson.

Come Thursday evening, After Dark Jazz fills the Drawing Room Bar with cocktails and live music, before dinner at Charlie’s under chef Adam Byatt brings the London chapter to a delicious close.

Two Nights at The Star, Alfriston

From London, guests travel by chauffeur or train to Alfriston, one of the prettiest villages in the South Downs. At The Star, run by Olga and Alex Polizzi, the pace slows beautifully: gentle hills, historic lanes and English country house charm, paired with a kitchen that celebrates seasonal produce and Italian inspired cooking.

Days here might mean hikes along the Seven Sisters, walks through Friston Forest or cycling across the national park. Culture lovers can book private tours and tastings at Rathfinny Wine Estate, visit Charleston, the former home of the Bloomsbury Group, or admire the famous murals by Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant at Berwick Church. Private watercolour workshops, a visit to the former home of Lee Miller and stargazing in the South Downs dark sky reserve round out the programme. Even inside the hotel, art is everywhere, with works from Olga Polizzi’s personal collection lining the walls.

Two addresses, one journey, and the very best of England in four days. I already know which side of the wardrobe to pack for each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Brown’s Hotel and The Star
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Fashion designer Paul Smith and my favorite place to stay in London, the Brown’s Hotel, a Rocco Forte Hotel in Mayfair, joined forces and unveiled the Sir Paul Smith Suite.
Designed by Paul himself in collaboration with Olga Polizzi, Director of Design at Rocco Forte Hotels, the new suite features a range of custom and vintage furniture, hand-picked artworks, brand collaborations and soft furnishings from the debut Paul Smith home collection.

Drawing on Brown’s Hotel’s history as a favoured residence for literary greats, the suite is designed as a space not only for rest and relaxation, but to spark inspiration and creativity through art and interesting objects, with every detail of the room, from the rugs to the individual art works carefully considered.

The suite features furniture and art that resonates with the designer and his eclectic taste. Several pieces can be found in Paul’s office at his Covent Garden HQ, such as Christopher Simon Sykes’ impressive photograph of Chatsworth House library and, notably, his 1970s leather desk chair by Mario Bellini. As another personal touch, Paul has also selected a small library of art and design books for the room.

Paul Smith says: «Being asked to design a space for such an iconic Mayfair institution is a great privilege – and I’ve had a great deal of fun in the process! Just like Browns does with its rooms, we design every Paul Smith shop differently to celebrate the area’s individuality, which is just one of the reasons the project appealed to me. On a more personal level, I’m so pleased we’ve been able to include objects that inspire me personally and I hope, in turn, they’ll inspire the suite’s guests.»

Several of Paul Smith’s notable collaborations feature heavily in the room, including sofas, tables and leather goods from his recent ‘Everyday Life’ collection with Italian luxury furniture company DePadova; Type 75 lamps from the longstanding partnership with British lighting brand Anglepoise; and checked wool blankets designed by Paul for design company Maharam.

The partnership came about naturally, through Rocco Forte Hotels’ Director of Design Olga Polizzi, who is responsible for the design of each of the individual rooms at Brown’s Hotel and is a long-time visitor to Paul Smith’s Albemarle Street shop.

Further references to the Albemarle Street flagship shop, which is located just metres away from the hotel, are dotted about the room. They include custom Paul Smith + The Rug Company rugs and a Maharam headboard, both of which feature a geometric pattern inspired by the building’s iconic iron façade.

Uniquely quirky details, such as the banana door handles, the fire ‘dogs’ (which have been custom made to resemble Homer, Paul’s first canine shopkeeper), a robot figurine made from a vintage camera, and the striped fireplace tiles, are abundant in the room, a reflection of Paul’s ‘classic with a twist’ philosophy and his trademark whimsical sense of humour.

The Paul Smith Suite starts at £5,500, to book, please click here for more information.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Brown’s Hotel
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!