Shiva Hotels is to open a new luxury boutique hotel in London next year, marking the first step in a new direction for the group.

Scheduled to open in early 2020, The Guardsman is a purpose-built luxury boutique hotel on Buckingham Gate comprising 53 bedrooms and six ‘exclusive’ residences featuring one, two and three bedrooms, living spaces, dining areas and fully fitted kitchens.

The new hotel is said to offer the ‘atmosphere, discretion and personal service usually associated with a private members’ club’ with its restaurant only open to residents and their guests.

The six residences will be spread across the top three floors of the new building, with The Penthouse offering a wraparound terrace.

The Shiva team has worked with architects Dexter Moren Associates (The Curtain Hotel, Shangri-La at The Shard) and multi-disciplinary design practice Tonik Associates (Searcys, Silverstone) to bring the project to life.

Rishi Sachdev, managing director of Shiva Hotels, noted:

“The Guardsman is designed for those who want the tailored, personal experience offered by a club, the flexibility and luxury of a hotel and the comfort and familiarity of a home. It will also have a conscience, wherever possible putting both its people and the environment at the centre of its decisions.”

Currently Shiva Hotels owns five hotels in London, which are operating as part of the Hilton franchise. Last year Shiva Hotels and Reuben Brothers entered into a joint venture to transform a prime site in London’s Soho into a ‘luxury lifestyle’ 200-bedroom hotel.

In addition to The Guardsman, other sites that will come under Shiva Hotel’s new umbrella include sites in Marylebone Lane, Covent Garden and Holborn.