It’s not every day a Hollywood legend designs a luxury boutique hotel. But when Robert de Niro comes to town, anything is possible. So it comes as no surprise then that highly acclaimed actor, director, producer and two-time Academy Award winner, Robert De Niro is going to open an 83-room luxury boutique hotel in London’s trendy Covent Garden.

 

And if you’re worried that a movie star couldn’t possibly understand the intricacies of owning and managing a hotel business, you’re mistaken. Not only does de Niro own and operate a very successful restaurant partnership with Chef Nobu (throughout a string of Nobu restaurants worldwide), he also owns a very busy hotel in New York called the Greenwich Hotel. This gorgeous 88-bedroom luxury pad in the Tribeca state of New York is a magnet for A-list stars such as Jennifer Anniston, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence.

Now, with his sights set on bringing New York glamour to London, de Niro is set to build a landmark hotel in London’s Convent Garden district. The hotel will span 6 buildings (that’s right, it’s going to be spacious) and will be built around a courtyard conservatory, boasting 83 luxury bedrooms, a spa, 2 restaurants (of which we are sure one will be a Nobu restaurant with long-time friend and business partner Chef Nobu) as well as a deli and café. Situated a stone’s throw from Convent Garden, the Royal Opera House and vibrant West End theatres, the Grade ll listed building will still retain its outer charms and appearance whilst the interior will be transformed into a mix of bespoke, individualised spaces influenced by various cultures, and driven by modern technology.

De Niro’s love for food and hospitality began decades ago

Robert de Niro takes inspiration from friend and business partner Chef Nobu

Robert de Niro is no stranger to the hospitality industry and was instrumental in bringing the artistry of Nobu first to New York and then around the world. His support of the brand has drawn actors, musicians, and socialites alike and he is credited with co-founding and providing creative direction for all of the owned Nobu Restaurants.

From the start, it’s clear they have a lovely friendship, forged by almost three decades of being in business together. In a recent interview with Time Out magazine Dubai (which discussed the recent joint venture Chef Nobu / de Niro restaurant opening at Nobu Doha), de Niro says this of his business partner Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, “We’re empathetic and respectful about what each other feels. Sometimes you can’t break it down – and I don’t know whether I want to do that for an interview here – but there are a lot of things we have, some kind of affinity, respect and affection for each other. He’s a great chef and he knows that I know that.” Chef Nobu replied with, “He’s my best possible business partner. Now, after over 20 years, we now know which way we’re going. So he has great ideas and I respect him. I don’t know if he respects me,” he laughs. “But he has a great sense of humour.”

With business partnerships that include the talents of Chef Nobu, an already successful New York hotel business and plenty of friends in high places, we’re super-excited to see the opening of his new Convent Garden Wellington Hotel in 2019. And even if we can afford a night’s stay (room prices for standard rooms and suites are rumoured to be between R8300 and R28 000 per person, per night, if they are anything like the rates at the sister Greenwich Hotel), perhaps we will simply be able to stand outside and enjoy a red carpet view of all the celebrities who we’re certain will be spending some time at the Wellington Hotel.

Perhaps our graduates can let us know what it’s really like to work there one day – we’ll certainly give you updates on that when the time comes. Until then, that’s a wrap! Drop us a line below if you have any questions for us or would like to know more about our Hospitality and Culinary programmes.

(Heading image: www.boutiquehotels.co.uk. Source credits: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3590234/Robert-Niro-open-London-hotel.html; http://www.noburestaurants.com/footer/cast/robert-de-niro/#.Vzluj_l97IU; http://www.timeoutdubai.com/restaurants/features/68550-robert-de-niro-and-chef-nobu www.lifestyle.inquirer.net)