The Webster has opened its first hotel in London, and the city's hospitality scene just gained a property that refuses to sit quietly in any single category. Overlooking Lincoln's Inn Fields in Covent Garden, the 167-room property is part hotel, part neighbourhood restaurant, part literary salon and part late-night cocktail bar. It marks the debut of a brand new lifestyle hotel concept from The Webster, with a second location already confirmed for Times Square in 2027.
Design Built on Magical Realism
London-based architecture and interior design studio Red Deer drew the entire concept from magical realism, the literary genre made famous by Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The idea takes a grounded, real setting and introduces subtle moments of wonder, and that spirit runs through every floor of the building. Bespoke furniture sits alongside Italian-terrazzo-inspired flooring, artwork by British artists Henry Ward and Emily Kirby, and intimate library nooks tucked into the more social spaces.
The design unfolds gradually rather than announcing itself at the door. Warm colour palettes, textured plank flooring and hand-knotted wool rugs create a sense of layered discovery. The outdoor lounge and terrace shift character throughout the day, moving from morning coffee to evening aperitivo without needing to change the furniture.
Three Italian Venues Under One Roof
Food and beverage is central to The Webster's proposition, and the hotel packs three distinct concepts into its lower levels. Carmelina's is the signature restaurant, a 100-seat Italian-inspired space with an open kitchen, counter dining and a dedicated wine bar. Chef Daniele Pampagnin leads the culinary direction alongside Head Chef Simone Serafini, focusing on handmade pasta, seasonal produce and seafood.
Upstairs, Carmelina's Al Banco operates as a relaxed all-day cafe-bar inspired by the neighbourhood bars of Milan. It extends onto a plant-filled outdoor terrace with striped awnings and woven furnishings, serving everything from morning coffee to evening aperitivo. Carla's, tucked away on the lower level, is a 60-capacity late-night cocktail bar led by Bar Manager Peppe Corallo, hosting live entertainment and private events.
Rooms That Ask You to Disconnect
The 167 guestrooms, including three suites, spread across ten floors in warm neutral palettes of terracotta, oxblood and soft off-whites. The colour inspiration comes from historic interiors, literary salons and old publishing houses, which ties back to the hotel's literary framework. Each room features hand-knotted wool rugs, bespoke brass and alabaster lighting, and carefully selected books that guests can exchange between floors.
Robert Radios replace digital distractions, and a mid-century elbow chair adds to the timeless character. Bathrooms continue the calm aesthetic with terrazzo flooring, organic ceramic wall tiles and brushed-nickel Kohler fixtures. Apple Wallet integration allows guests to check in digitally and use their phone as a room key, bypassing the front desk entirely.
A Programme Beyond the Room Key
Cultural programming is built into the hotel's identity rather than treated as an afterthought. Literary salons, artist residencies, performances and collaborations with local creatives form the backbone of the calendar. The Webster Book Club and The Daily Edit, a series of events ranging from guided runs to cocktail pairings and coffee tastings, give both guests and locals reasons to return.
Two adaptable meeting and event spaces accommodate up to 120 guests, with additional areas including Carla's and sections of the terrace available for private hire. A 24-hour fitness suite rounds out the practical amenities. Rooms start from GBP 350 per night, with eligible bookings including a GBP 60 food and beverage credit across the hotel's restaurants and bars. Following the London debut, The Webster will open in Times Square in 2027, bringing the same approach to design, hospitality and shared experience to New York.