Images from the past
Knowing our core values and who we are is very important to us. Which essentially keeps us unique from all the other wonderful hotels in London. Having done a deep dive further into our history we have found some incredible facts and images we wanted to share. We hope you enjoy reading.
First opened May 11th 1971 by David Levin The Capital is one of London's best kept secrets. Often described as a Grand Hotel in miniature. The hotel lays claim to being the first London boutique hotel under the original ownership claiming to have coined the term boutique hotel. The Capital Hotel took just two years to build from architect's drawing to completed building. The project was the culmination of 20 years hard work and experience for its proprietor.
The Levin’s were implored by social commentator Jonathan Meade to keep the hotel unchanged as the epitome of the best in 1970's design. However, moving with the times, the decision was taken to change the look of the property in the mid 1980's. It was at this juncture that the noted British interior designer, Nina Campbell, became involved as a design consultant. The public and private areas of The Capital have been designed in the vernacular of a classic London townhouse. In line with this theme, the Levin’s made extensive use of fabrics by Ralph Lauren and Bennison, past masters of discreet. Understated elegance, to produce a soft, quiet and relaxed ambience.
In addition to the constant process of evolution and upgrading, Dec 1994/ Jan 1995 completed two major refurbishment programs. The first was in 1981, when the original contemporary styling of the hotel was replaced with the current interiors whilst the second, completed in early 1995, saw the remodelling of the exterior of the property in natural stone to match the surrounding Victorian architecture. Lord David Linley designed the façade of The Capital Restaurant.
