Hotel Russell, Russell Square London

The Hotel Russell qualifies as a hotel of the Imperial Age of Britain.

It was built in 1898 by the architect Charles Fitzroy Doll. It is clad in the decorative thé-au-lait ("tea with milk") terracotta. It is based on the Chateau de Madrid in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris.

The phrase "dolled" up originates from Doll, reflecting the brilliant surfaces and decoration of Doll's work. He was also the designer of the interiors of RMS Titanic.

Doll also built the Imperial Hotel on Russell Square which has now been demolished. There are statues of four British Queens above the main entrance, and Prime Ministers of the British Empire along its gable walls.