The Cumberland hotel opens Hendrix suite to commemorate guitar hero

Guoman’s The Cumberland hotel, which was the last known address of Jimi Hendrix, has announced that on September 18th, the 40th anniversary of the death of the guitar legend, it will be marking the occasion with a new Hendrix-inspired suite and mini-photography exhibition.

Hendrix was a regular guest at the hotel near Hyde Park, during the 1960s and conducted what was to be his last ever interview, with music journalist and press agent Keith Altham, in one of the hotel's fifth-floor Suites just days before his untimely death in 1970.

The suite is designed to inspire its visitors from the instant they enter; to capture the ethos of Hendrix and ultimately be a sanctuary where Hendrix himself would have enjoyed spending time. Conceived by interior designer Mary Gannon and her senior associate Cynthia.

The suite will be marked out with statement lighting, flamboyant colours and psychedelic stylised patterns, authentic fabrics uncovered in vintage fairs and from specialist collectors. The room showcases an original 60s printed panel called 'Peacock' by Mariji Isola for Marimekko, along with a wall of framed originals of NME covers from the 1960s featuring the rock legend.

Centrepiece of the room is a flaming three-metre Hendrix mural by renowned graphic designer Andie Airfix, whose previous works include designs for Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. Airfix drew his inspiration from Hendrix's infamous 'guitar flambé' show finale.

Altham, who has acted as a consultant to The Cumberland during the project commented, "I think he would have loved the idea of a special room designed in a style which is harmonised to his music and memory and where others might gain inspiration from his work or simply relax and enjoy the music made by the greatest rock guitarist of all time."

The Cumberland's expansive colourful lobby will also play host to a couple of limited edition archival photographs of Jimi Hendrix. Taken in the late 1960s, the documentary style prints by Barrie Wentzell, who photographed much of rock's royalty, show Hendrix looking relaxed, upbeat and himself.

The hotel will also be displaying 'Classic Hendrix', containing over 300 images of Hendrix, which is thought to be the most comprehensive visual memoir of Hendrix ever published.

The Cumberland's 'Hendrix' Suite will be available to check into from September 2010 and will be open to members of the public on September 18th to commemorate the rock legend and hear the last interview.

Guoman Hotels is supporting the work of The Hendrix Foundation, official not-for-profit organisation set up to provide deprived children with access to musical instruments or music lessons, by donating a £10 sum from every night's stay in the Suite for the year.

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Notes to editor

About Guoman Hotels
Guoman Hotel Management Limited operates two hotel brands within the UK market; Guoman Hotels, an exclusive collection of deluxe hotels located in central London and Thistle Hotels, a chain of quality full service hotels in the UK's major cities.

Guoman Hotels in the UK consists of four prestigious landmark properties to cater for those wanting a hotel near Park Lane, Oxford Street Hotels, Hotel near Westminster, Tower Bridge Hotels or a Hotel near Buckingham Palace.

Whilst each hotel in the portfolio is different with its own unique identity and style, as a collection they capture the imagination and are united in their individual ability to deliver inspirational guest experiences.

Guoman Hotel Management Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GuocoLeisure Ltd, part of the Hong Leong Group which has hospitality and leisure businesses across the globe with hotels in Europe, USA, Australasia and Asia.

For further media information regarding Guoman Hotels please contact:
James Watts
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