Culture

London gets a new Dolby Cinema, as Odeon Luxe West End opens alongside The Londoner hotel

The striking gloss blue exterior of The Londoner hotel

London is getting a second Dolby Cinema, with the opening of the Odeon Luxe West End in Leicester Square,  part of The Londoner hotel’s £300m development.

Offering a more intimate experience to its iconic Odeon Leicester Square neighbour, the 168 seat venue features a dual Dolby Vision laser projector and Dolby Atmos immersive audio

Next month’s opening comes on the back of a torrid time for the box office, the industry having been mothballed during the height of the Covid crisis.  

Odeon reports that attendances nationwide have topped 5 million since reopening earlier this summer. 

Dolby Cinema has set the pace when it comes to premium cinema experiences, offering class leading visual clarity and depth, with groundbreaking object-based immersive audio. 

The screen features a 13.3 metre screen with 67 speakers all-encompassing. Movie fans can relax in one of its 166 luxury recliners, with two for wheelchair access. 

The 168 seat venue features a dual Dolby Vision laser projector and Dolby Atmos immersive audio…

Artist impression of the foyer at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square
Artist impression of London’s second Dolby Cinema

The new screen is part of the continued rollout of Odeon Luxe, a premium proposition that combines the best in cinematic experience with the ultimate comfort and enhanced food and drink options. Visitors will also experience a nine metre audio visual entrance,  as they enter to take their seats, presumably after a pre-movie tipple at the Art-Deco Oscar’s Bar, named after Odeon’s founder and pioneer of modern cinema Oscar Deutsch.

Order & Collect will be in operation, through app, web or at the in-cinema kiosks, for wines, cocktails, beers and food options. 

The Odeon Luxe is also available for hire for both private screenings, conferences and other events.

John Trafford-Owen, Senior Director Dolby Cinema Group, Europe said: “You cannot beat the big screen experience and we couldn’t be more excited to be working with Odeon to bring the second Dolby Cinema to London and to the iconic Leicester Square. It’s been a tough year for the cinema industry and it’s wonderful to see this cinema open its doors and the chance for communal film watching to return.”

Exterior view of The Londoner hotel still under construction
The Londoner hotel Leicester Square opens September 2021

Designed in collaboration with architectural designers Yabu Pushelberg, The Londoner hotel will open its doors September 6. Described as ‘the world’s first super boutique hotel’ the new luxury edifice boasts 350 rooms across 16 storeys, with six concept eateries, a members club-style private area, and an entire floor dedicated to wellness. 

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About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and Editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Good Housekeeping, Louder Sounds, StereoNet and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter/X, Tiktok and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK