Mercure Hotel, Earl’s Court
SECTOR
HOSPITALITY
LOCATION
London, UK
Project Brief
Detail Lighting partnered with KCP Ltd, specialists in automation for hotels and hospitality, to refresh the interior lighting schemes at the Mercure Hotel.
The Mercure Hotel in Earl’s Court, London, is a well-established venue known for its blend of contemporary style and classic comfort. Situated in a vibrant area frequented by both tourists and business travellers, the hotel sought to enhance its guest experience by overhauling its existing lighting system.
In certain areas of the hotel, the previous lighting setup was outdated, energy-inefficient, and failed to highlight the hotel’s architectural features and interior design elements effectively.
Our 25 years of experience in designing lighting schemes made us the ideal partner for KCP Ltd. We were tasked with revitalising three key areas – the hotel reception, first floor restaurant, and the first floor member’s bar.
Development
In the hotel reception area, we collaborated closely with the client’s designers to develop a background lighting scheme that allowed decorative fixtures to be the focal point.
We strategically positioned discreet Corona Pro downlights to provide a subtle layer of illumination. To accentuate artwork, Danny Surface fixtures were used. All joinery and hidden lighting, including mirrors, were coordinated with extra-warm white, dimmable Aston IP67 LEDs to create a cohesive and inviting atmosphere with layered lighting effects.
For the first floor restaurant, which featured a mix of decorative lighting selected by the designer – MIXD Poland, our brief was to organise task lighting that would illuminate tables dramatically and integrate necessary utility elements like emergency lighting.
The Cortes 48V track system was implemented, offering small yet powerful spotlights with narrow beams to highlight tables and serving areas. A key challenge was ensuring the lighting was bright enough for breakfast service while allowing for alternative scenes suitable for evening dining.
In the first floor member’s bar, inspired by exclusive lounge concepts, we translated CGI visuals into effective lighting schematic designs. Recognising that ceiling decorative lights alone were insufficient, we supplemented them with discreet, colour-coordinated Mini Corona fixtures.
The bar area and joinery required meticulous coordination to achieve the desired extra warm-light effect. For the hidden curved snug area, Aston hidden LEDs were carefully positioned to avoid excessive brightness. The entire lighting setup was unified through carefully created scenes on the KNX lighting control system, installed and programmed by KCP Ltd.
Our team also addressed specific challenges posed by the client. Firstly, there was a requirement for a ‘snaking’ neon LED feature. We designed and precisely installed a snaking neon LED feature leading to the restaurant stairs, enhancing the pathway’s visual appeal. The second challenge was the central circular coffer, where to keep the central feature as the main focus we achieved a restrained glow in the central circular coffer through careful lighting techniques.
Outcome
The lighting solutions developed by Detail Lighting significantly enhanced the Mercure Hotel’s ambiance throughout the three key areas.
In the reception area, the balance between background and decorative lighting created a welcoming first impression, highlighting key design elements without overwhelming the space.
The restaurant now offers versatile lighting scenes, providing bright illumination for breakfast services and a more intimate setting for evening dining, meeting both functional and aesthetic requirements.
The member’s bar exudes an exclusive atmosphere, with lighting that accentuates architectural features and creates cosy niches without overpowering the environment.
The snaking neon LED feature and the subtly lit central circular coffer became standout elements, adding character and depth to the hotel’s interior design.
By combining technical expertise with collaborative development, Detail Lighting successfully delivered tailored lighting solutions that met the Mercure Hotel’s complex design and operational needs.