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We were recently invited to an evening of Soho tales at The Resident Soho<\/a> hotel, accompanied by a tour of the hotel and a jaunt to the local jazz club next door, The Piano Bar<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Resident<\/a>, which privately runs five hotels in the UK, describes itself as offering “excellent rooms and relaxed enclaves in exceptional locations”. It aims to distinguish itself from other choices of where to lay your head in the middle of London (or Liverpool) by making guests feel truly like residents of the areas in which they\u2019re staying.<\/p>\n The evening curated by The Resident Soho certainly left us feeling steeped in Soho history, and with an appreciation of the uniqueness of the neighbourhood.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo: courtesy of The Resident<\/i><\/p>\n According to Tony Shrimplin of the Museum of Soho<\/a>, the site of what\u2019s now The Resident Soho was formerly a three-story brick house likely built in the 1680s, and boasts a varied history prior to destruction in the second world war. Its past iterations include a riding school; home to Lords, Ladies, and MPs; a Masonic lodge meeting point; an antique furniture warehouse; and offices of the British Board of Film Censors.<\/p>\n Having arrived at its present-day shape as a stylish hotel, we had our thirst quenched by a few bottled cocktails from Catford-based Bottle Bar & Shop<\/a> and appetites whetted by a spread of veggie canap\u00e9s from a local purveyor.<\/p>\n We were intrigued to hear from the varied panel of longtime Soho residents and frequenters assembled by the hotel: David Saunders, co-author of local Soho histories in Some Kind\u2019a Soho<\/a>; Bianca, an outspoken burlesque performer known as the “Soho Showgirl<\/a>“; Tony Shrimplin, Director of the Museum of Soho<\/a> and 30-year resident; and George Hudson, owner of private jazz and cocktail lounge Piano Bar Soho<\/a>.<\/p>\n As you might expect, the panellists recalled earlier, seedier eras of gangsters and strip clubs; of legendary Soho characters like Francis Bacon that helped make it an artistic “melting pot of madness”.<\/p>\n But they also spoke about their beloved neighbourhood as a small community welcoming of all types: a place that never turns down the chance to host a parade and celebrate; a village of people that looked after one another, especially during the lockdowns of recent times.<\/p>\n One panellist recalled as an example how everyone came together and turned up for the funeral of Bernie Katz<\/a> in 2017, former front of house of the famous Groucho Club on Dean Street and known as the Prince of Soho.<\/p>\n Noting how no bus routes pass through the area, Saunders described a typical day meandering from caf\u00e9 to bar, catching up on local gossip (“you can\u2019t walk from one end of the naughty mile to the other without bumping into someone you know<\/em>“) – and how easy it was to not leave the square mile for days. Hudson recalled a visiting editor\u2019s rider requiring lodging to be within a mile of The French House<\/a>.<\/p>\n What struck a chord with us were the familiar descriptions of gentrification and “sanitisation” that the panellists felt had been creeping in, especially since the death of Paul Raymond<\/a>.<\/p>\n As Brixton residents, we empathised with the panellists’ wariness of restaurant and bar chains moving in, and agreed with one\u2019s suggestion to offer lower rates for independents than big business, and encourage people to actually live in the area rather than just buy for investment without local benefit.<\/p>\n Whilst the panellists fielded questions from the 20 or so attendees in the room, a copy of the collection of interviews with Soho stalwarts<\/a> that Saunders co-wrote was passed around – it\u2019s sadly now out of print, but we can confirm it\u2019s packed with beautiful portrait photography and no doubt gives a taste of what it\u2019s like to live, work, and gallivant in Soho, which we got a hint of during the talk.<\/p>\n Before leaving the building, we were treated to a tour of one of the hotel\u2019s standard rooms –\u00a0far from standard if you ask us.<\/p>\n Whilst straightforward and modern in terms of d\u00e9cor, no doubt we\u2019d feel more than comfortable plunging face-down upon one of their comfy looking beds after a long night out scouring the late night haunts of the area.<\/p>\n Alternatively, the rooms are also set up to encourage nights in, with a “concealed mini-kitchen” in each, and guest access to a grocery service.<\/p>\n One of the advertised perks of staying at any of The Resident\u2019s five establishments is access to its Insider\u2019s Map, which treats guests to a few discounts with local businesses (such as free entry to the Piano Bar and discounted food and cocktails, in Soho\u2019s case).<\/p>\n Grace Wright of Resident Hotels says:<\/p>\n “We love championing local excellence, so our map enables guests of The Resident Soho to explore the local neighbourhood while enjoying exclusive discounts with our fabulous partners and supporting local independent businesses. What\u2019s not to love.”<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Resident Soho is nestled in at 10 Carlisle St, Soho, London W1D 3BR. Based on a peruse of its website<\/a> as of the time of writing, room rates range from around \u00a3250-300 for a single or standard double room through to \u00a3400+ for larger suites.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re lucky enough to afford it, we\u2019re pretty sure you\u2019d be in for a treat.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/resident.jpg\")
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