Sofitel London St James is entering a new chapter with the complete reformation of its six signature suites by Paris-based interior architecture studio Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR). Deputy Editor Meg Taylor grabs the exclusive first look…
In the heart of London’s City of Westminster, Sofitel London St James is turning a new page. Paris-based designer Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR) has reimagined the hotel’s six signature suites, crafting a collection that celebrates both heritage and hedonism – a subtle interplay between Edwardian gravitas and 1970s exuberance.
Four Prestige Suites have already opened to guests, while two Flagship Suites – Suite 70 and The Opera Suite – are set to debut in January 2026, completing a transformation that redefines what luxury means in one of London’s most historically resonant hotels.
Image credit: Sofitel London St James
A conversation
For Pierre-Yves Rochon’s studio, the commission marks a continuation of a long and storied relationship with Sofitel, having curated the hotel’s original 2003 design as well as its 2020 refresh too. Known for its sensitive approach to cultural context, PYR brings a distinctly French sensibility to London’s cosmopolitan energy.
For this latest major transformation, the PYR studio worked with the continued philosophy of preserving the hotel and its local heritage while reinterpreting it for contemporary life. A spokesperson for PYR commented that, at Sofitel London St James, the idea was to capture the creative rebellion of the 1970s – the decade when London became a world-renowned cultural compass – while remaining true to the building’s historic soul.
The result is a visual dialogue: French elegance meeting British eccentricity, all housed within a Grade II-listed neoclassical landmark that once served as Cox’s & King’s bank.
The Prestige Suites: chromatic overture
The four Prestige Suites embody this tension between classic and contemporary with chromatic precision. Each light-filled corner suite is defined by its colour story, from deep Klein blue to vibrant Wimbledon green: a nod to the expressive palettes of the 1970s.
Textural richness is a hallmark of Pierre-Yves’ work, and here it is elevated to an art form. Padded suede wallcoverings, leather bedheads, and bespoke marbled furniture create tactile depth, while a dividing wall of mirrored glass adds both glamour and spatial intrigue. Original modern art and curated libraries of photography and design books complete the scene.
Flagship Suites: dual expression
Debuting early next year, when completed, the two Flagship Suites will offer contrasting moods that mirror London’s multifaceted character.
Suite 70 channels the daring optimism of the 1970s, with Arne Jacobsen’s iconic Egg chair, vibrant orange tones, and a vinyl record player complete with a curated selection of albums. A musician’s trunk-turned-minibar and art books curated for creative minds evoke a playful, bohemian energy – a love letter to the city’s avant-garde spirit.
By contrast, The Opera Suite takes a more subdued approach. Defined by pale oak, natural hues, and tailored craftsmanship, it offers a quieter luxury. A private in-suite bar inspired by London’s discreet members’ clubs introduces a sense of intimate sophistication, transforming the suite into a serene urban sanctuary.
Modernity
While the aesthetic vocabulary draws on past eras, the functionality is firmly modern. Wireless charging, smart lighting, and marble bathrooms stocked with Diptyque amenities ensure comfort that feels instinctive, not ostentatious.
Every suite integrates elements that nod to the hotel’s heritage – from curated artwork referencing its banking past to the refined rituals of hospitality, expressed in fully equipped bars and signature Nespresso and Smeg touches.
Image credits: Sofitel London St James
A reinvention
“This is more than a redesign – it’s a reinvention,” says Marie-Paule Nowlis, General Manager of Sofitel London St James. “Together with Pierre-Yves Rochon, we have created suites that embody French sophistication and heritage while reflecting the cosmopolitan spirit of London today. Each suite tells its own story – one of culture, design, and emotion.”
The Pierre-Yves Rochon studio itself describes the project as a return to emotion-driven design: “I hope the Prestige Suites bring back the thrill of the seventies – its energy, its irreverence. I wanted it to feel like London at its most rebellious; a space suspended in time, echoing the city’s creative pulse.”
Image credit: Sofitel London St James
An art
The reinvention of Sofitel London St James’s signature suites signals a broader evolution in luxury hospitality – one that values immersion over opulence, narrative over nostalgia. Alongside Michelin-starred dining at Wild Honey St James, the elegant Rose Lounge, and the award-winning St James Bar, the suites represent a holistic vision of luxury as a living, breathing art form.
With the unveiling of the Flagship Suites in 2026, Sofitel London St James will cement its position as a defining address in London’s design landscape – a place where Edwardian grandeur meets Parisian savoir-faire, and where Pierre-Yves Rochon’s artistry continues to shape the dialogue between past and present.
Main image credit: Sofitel London St James
