THE ENGLISH HOTEL

CELEBRITY CHEF TODD ENGLISH OPENS THE BOUTIQUE ENGLISH HOTEL IN THE ARTS DISTRICT IN LAS VEGAS

By Elaine & Scott Harris

Many have known Celebrity Chef Todd English as an acclaimed chef and restauranteur. Being a four-time James Beard Award winner and having an extensive portfolio of 22 restaurants, he is world-renowned for his Olives and Figs restaurants. In Las Vegas, he recently added a hotel to his vast lineup of new ventures. The hotel, located in the Las Vegas Arts District, is aptly named The English Hotel and the first Celebrity Chef boutique, non-gaming hotel in downtown Las Vegas.

The English Hotel, part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio Hotels, features 74 rooms in four stories located at 921 South Main Street. Think of it as a destination hotel. Being dog friendly and having no resort fees makes it a real attraction. It literally feels like home upon walking in—what it must be like to be a guest in Todd English’s home. Plush luxury furnishings and floor-to-ceiling soundproof windows that adorn the guest rooms provide a relaxing, quiet feeling. The hotel is the perfect blend of entertainment and hospitality seen and felt throughout the property.

The iconic decor transports you back to another era, with a modern hip vibe with something always going on to experience. Don’t miss out on the unique touches like the signature cocktail cart and recipe cards featuring Todd English’s personal favorites placed on your pillow at night as well as custom silky robes. Guests’ amenities include an intimate secluded pool, outdoor lounge, and many personal touches such as a family photo book for guests and a plethora of trees and plants dedicated to those involved in the hotel.

Of course, being a chef, the main attraction of The English Hotel is Todd English’s The Pepper Club, a Japanese/Mediterranean Asian fusion restaurant named after Chef English’s dog. It features a sushi bar, teppanyaki grill, and craft beer created by Beer District Brewing, made exclusively for the hotel. “The restaurant is a reflection of two kinds of cuisine that I love, Mediterranean and Japanese,” said English. He brought the geographically distant food traditions together because they are both known for being healthy. “In decades past, the blending of Eastern and European cuisines was often written off as willy-nilly “fusion.” Mediterranean and Japanese gastronomic traditions are complementary, especially when it comes to umami flavors. What I’ve seen in cuisine now is that the world has changed,” English said. “It used to be ‘soy sauce and olive oil, oh my God,’ but now there are ways to mix it, ways to match it, and ways to excite the palate. We’re going to do a carbonara with dashima … fun stuff like that,” English added.

The Pepper Club restaurant offers an eclectic menu featuring the Soba You Up Burger- a creative burger topped with noodles. Of course, there is a wide variety of sushi and a well-portioned raw bar with plenty of oysters and caviar. Dinner selections include Japanese sea bream, fluke, and golden eye snapper. Pull up a seat at the beautiful large bar right in the center of the room or drink al fresco at the outdoor terrace overlooking the pool, with huge, garage-style doors that can be opened when the weather is good.

Take a walk outside and enjoy the vibrant Arts District, where you will find breweries, lots of murals and interesting people watching, and so much more around every corner you turn. The English Hotel is the perfect addition to the area and will certainly become a hub for this up-and-coming part of downtown Las Vegas.

Todd English is certainly not resting on his laurels. While the English Hotel in Las Vegas is Chef Todd English’s first foray as a hotelier, it will not be his last. Todd English already has plans to expand The English Hotel brand both nationally and internationally. Todd English’s partner, global entrepreneur Keith Burkard has been a propelling force in The English Hotel’s global expansion plan, identifying additional locations in Miami, New York City, London, Los Angeles, Beijing, and Macao, China in the pipeline. “Our distinctive discipline, innovative mindset, and industry experience have ultimately enabled our portfolio to perform and grow even during tumultuous market conditions,” said Keith Burkard, Partner EHG Hospitality. The English Hotel is a visually alluring hub of intimacy with an elevated culinary experience powered by Todd English’s food and beverage program, complete with Michelin-star quality room service. It’s worth a visit!