They aren’t the first rock stars to branch into the hotel game, but English outfit the Libertines are hoping to make some noise with their newest project the Albion Rooms, a unique five-storey hotel on the southeast coast that includes a coffee shop, two bars and a recording studio.

Situated inside a Victorian building in Margate that overlooks the sea, the hotel is due to open on September 25 following three years of restoration and building work. Described by the band as a boutique residence, the concept for the project was overseen by the band themselves, aiming for “comfort, functionality and Great British aesthetic pleasure”. 

With views across the Thanet coastline, the seven-room hotel has subtle plays to the band’s lyrics throughout, and includes a bar called the Waste Land (named in homage to the T.S Eliot poem that was written just two doors down from the hotel) serving a signature IPA and a house “Gunga Gin”, while the Arcady Coffee House serves espresso, fresh smoothies and cheese boards. There’s even an on-site recording studio where bands and artists can come to create their own music. It comes with an in-house engineer and a backline of instruments supplied by the band. The hotel also has a restaurant serving breakfast, brunch as well as bar menus and fine dining experiences.  

Albion Rooms
The restoration and building project took three years to complete © The Albion Rooms

The hotel is partnered with Apple Beats, which sees each room outfitted with a sound system. The Albion Rooms also plans to be utilized as an installation art space and studio, hosting a collection of artworks by local artists. Pete Doherty describes the hotel as “a fine Arcadian bolthole, a perfect place for prophets new-inspired, to recline, write, record, with rejoicing and knees up a-plenty.” 

Albion Rooms
The hotel includes a recording studio, two bars and a restaurant © The Albion Rooms

“It might be a while before we challenge the Savoy or the Grand Budapest in the hotel stakes, but we’ve put a lot of love into this. Meanwhile it’s a colourful and inspiring home for the Libertines and I look forward to the Albion Rooms being our very own Warholian Factory,” Carl Barât said.

Rooms start at £114 (US$147) a night. More information on the Albion Rooms is available at the official website.

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