Oscar Wilde’s grandson opens first Wilde Aparthotel in London

1024 683 Katy Phillips
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New Staycity hotel is located on The Strand.

Merlin Holland, the only grandson of famous Irish playwright and poet Oscar Wilde, was the guest of honour at the official opening of Staycity Group’s Wilde Aparthotels London [Photograph (from left to right): Jason Delany, Director of Brand, Product & Marketing; Merlin Holland; Tom Walsh, CEO; Keith Freeman, COO; Atul Prakash, GM].

Holland, along with Staycity Group CEO Tom Walsh, cut the ribbon on the apartment building, the first of the company’s premium Wilde brand, the design and concept of which has been inspired by Oscar Wilde himself.

The 106-room Wilde is located on The Strand, close to the popular tourist area of Covent Garden and the heart of London’s theatre-land, and offers guests a choice of studios, superior studios and double rooms over eight floors, including three sky level studios.

European Rollout of Wilde Brand

Staycity intends to roll out the Wilde brand across gateway city centre locations throughout Europe. The Strand will be followed by a second on Edinburgh’s King’s Stables Road (123 apartments) at the end of 2019, two properties in Berlin opening 2019/2020, and another on Manchester’s St Peter’s Square opening in 2020 with 256 apartments.

Holland said: “I’m delighted to be involved with the opening of Wilde. My grandfather took a great interest in aesthetics, particularly in interior design. He memorably said ‘have nothing in your house that is not useful or beautiful’.”

Staycity CEO and company founder Tom Walsh said: “We are honoured to have Merlin with us to mark the opening of our first Wilde and to share some insight into his famous grandfather. It’s fitting that our first Wilde is close to where Oscar lived in London. It is also opposite the Vaudeville Theatre, currently hosting an Oscar Wilde season, and is a short walk from the Oscar Wilde memorial, near Charing Cross.”

Staycity Group is a privately held company based in Dublin offering quality short-term and long- term apartment and aparthotel lettings in central city locations across Europe. The properties operate under the Staycity Aparthotels and Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity brands.

Katy Phillips / 25.04.2018

Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand. During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.

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Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

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