Six Senses London opens within a former Art Deco department store

The luxury hotel brand has officially made its UK debut.

London is being treated to a sweep of stunning new hotels in 2026. From the recently opened The Newman to the upcoming Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch, this year is proving that there has never been a better time to stay in the UK capital. Particularly now that Six Senses London has arrived.

Centrally located in the heart of Bayswater near Hyde Park and Notting Hill, Six Senses London sits within the former Art Deco department store, The Whiteley. Conceived by global design firm AvroKO alongside UK-based EPR Architects, the design merges classic details with a contemporary sensibility, taking cues from the building’s Art Deco heritage and drawing inspiration from William Whiteley’s fascination with the Great Exhibition of 1851.

Exterior of Six Senses London — The hotel sits within the former Art Deco department store, The Whiteley.

“Six Senses London draws from the visual language of the Great Exhibition era, which often relied on black and white contrast," shares Adam Farmerie, partner of AvroKO. “Rather than replicate that palette, we introduced deep greens into the lobby marble and architectural detailing, reframing the period through a natural lens. Vitrines remain, but plant life now occupies them. Transparency, from the staircase to the glass shower pods in the rooms, allows light to move freely through the building and shifts the emporium from spectacle to immersion."

Room at Six Senses London — The 109 rooms and suites are spacious and modern.

Anchoring the hotel is the restored grand staircase, a defining feature of the original department store. Rebuilt by hand in Devon by Foster + Partners in collaboration with The Hub, it ascends three floors to a glass-domed ceiling. The 109 rooms and suites, many with private terraces, and 14 branded residences, feature inky blues, warm woods, bold lines, Art Deco curves and expansive windows. The jewel in the crown is the spectacular Whiteley Suite with its 125-square-metre roof terrace.

Six Senses London magnesium pool. — The hotel features London’s first magnesium pool.

Wellness enthusiasts are catered for here more than at any other hotel in the city. London’s first hotel magnesium pool, 13 wellness spaces and six treatment rooms – including a traditional hammam and red-light therapy suites – sit alongside The Alchemy Bar, a contemporary apothecary, and a longevity clinic in partnership with HUM2N. Modern British dining with vegetable-forward menus is on offer, served at onsite restaurants Whiteley’s Kitchen, Bar and Café.

Six Senses’ first UK address is an urban sanctuary that sensitively pays homage to its British roots while embracing intellectual wellness. “We wanted Six Senses London to feel like a hotel that embraces you from the moment you arrive," explains Nick Yarnell, General Manager of Six Senses London. “Warm, genuine, and instinctive, yet delivered with exacting standards and quiet precision. As part of The Whiteley, we honour the heritage of British craft and innovation while creating something that gives back to the neighbourhood and feels deeply connected to its community."

Traditional hammam at Six Senses London — A traditional hammam caters to wellness enthusiasts.

At a time when London’s hotel scene has never been more competitive, Six Sense London stands out for its genuine design pedigree and its serious approach to wellness.

Details

Address: The Whiteley, 151 Queensway, London, W2 4YN

Best for: Wellness-conscious travellers, design-savvy travellers, special occasions.

Room rate: Check website

Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK.

Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

Why is it so hot in Europe?

Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

How travel is impacted

A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius — A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris — People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.

Six Senses London opens within a former Art Deco department store

The luxury hotel brand has officially made its UK debut.

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