glh. announces the launch of a new global 4- star hotel brand: Amba

150 150 Daniel Fountain
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glh., the London-based global hotel subsidiary of the Singapore-listed GuocoLeisure Group, has recently announced the launch of a new contemporary 4-star hotel brand, Amba.• Amba will be Europe’s largest four-star hotel brand launch with 2088 rooms by 2015 Amba is launching with four hotels, situated just a few paces from world famous landmarks, in London’s most prestigious locations: Marble Arch, Tower Bridge, Charing Cross and Buckingham Palace Road.
• glh will be investing a further £70 million into the chosen four-star hotels
• The launch is driven by our extensive and industry shaping market research which shows there is a significant opportunity to develop the four star market
• The design of Amba’s new hotel rooms has been driven by the voice of the global customer
• At Amba everything works – from intuitive service to the fastest, free, reliable Wi-Fi available
• Amba provides the best environment to refresh and recharge
• glh.is targeting 30 key cities in the UK for the Amba brand and will expand the brand internationally in China, the USA and Europe across the best locations

Amba, a global owner and operator of contemporary hotels, will be Europe’s largest four- star brand launch with 2088 rooms in London by 2015. glh. will invest a further £70 million into the chosen four-star hotels to provide the best environment for the discerning business and leisure traveller*.

Amba is launching with four hotels, situated just a few paces from world famous landmarks, in London’s most prestigious locations: Marble Arch, Tower Bridge, Charing Cross and Buckingham Palace Road. The four hotels will re-open following major refurbishments, with Buckingham Palace Road the first Amba hotel to launch in June 2014.

The launch of Amba is driven by extensive market research which shows there is a significant opportunity to address unmet client needs in the four-star sector; better and more personalised service, seamless technology that actually works and authentic experiences in the best locations around the world.

At Amba, every room has been designed by the voice of the global customer and the highly knowledgeable staff – empowered by glh’s new entrepreneurial management model – will unearth hidden gems like a local and deliver the best guest-centred experience in the industry.

Amba sees technology as an enabler and every hotel in the brand is underpinned by seamless technology, from a Smart TV in every room to the behind-the-scenes operations that ensure staying in an Amba is an effortless experience. Wi-Fi isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. That’s why Amba has invested in the fastest, free, reliable Wi-Fi for all guests.

Amba will attract the global conference market using its fantastic locations across London combined with seamless technology to deliver the best conference experience available in the world.

The ambition is to grow the Amba brand in the UK to around 30 properties with further growth internationally in China, Malaysia, and the USA.

Daniel Fountain / 05.11.2013

Editor, Hotel Designs

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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.

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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.
 
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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.
 
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