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Review: St. James’s Hotel & Club

STAY

With a compelling history tracing back to 1857, St. James’s Hotel and Club stands out among the few distinguished institutions that boast memberships including renowned figures such as Winston Churchill, Henry James, and Ian Fleming. For over 160 years, they have been a magnet for these luminaries, initially as a gentlemen’s club and now as a prestigious five-star hotel. The hotel is tucked on a quiet street just five minutes from Green Park station. A warm welcome eases you into the meticulously crafted space. The interiors feature elegant wood-panelled walls, gleaming polished natural stone, and a vibrant colour palette that sets the stage for the awe-inspiring Rosenstein Collection, showcasing a delightful array of 20th century paintings.

With just 60 exquisitely designed bedrooms – adorned with handcrafted Murano glass chandeliers and lavish silk wallpapers in soothing neutrals, complemented by sleek black lacquered furniture – guests are immersed in a world of understated style and sophistication. Choose from a range of rooms, from the inviting Superior Rooms to the expansive Terrace Suite. If you’re in the mood for splurging, accessible through a private lift lies St. James & Westminster Suites on the top floor, where the spacious room is crowned by a generous roof terrace, with breathtaking views across the city. These suites can also be combined to create The Penthouse of dreams. It’s the perfect haven for a leisurely breakfast, an enchanting starlit dinner, or a glamorous cocktail reception overlooking the iconic cityscape.

DO

If you’re looking to unwind, you can indulge in the ultimate pampering right in the comfort and privacy of your own room. In collaboration with London Serenity, you can choose from a delightful array of body and beauty treatments from a comprehensive range of massages to personalized training sessions. Rest assured, these services are available to accommodate your schedule 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Televisions are also strategically placed in every corner of the room, including the luxurious bathroom. Catch some sunshine on the terrace, or sip from the fully stocked bar; it’s safe to say that, in such a tranquil setting in a city as busy as London, it was difficult to leave the peace and quiet the St. James’s Hotel has to offer. Nevertheless, in Mayfair, there is plenty to see and do just a stone’s throw away: take a leisurely stroll through Hyde Park, or embark on a shopping spree through Bond Street.

EAT

Dining at St. James’s Hotel & Club is a culinary journey worth embarking on. Seven Park Place by William Drabble, an intimate and stylish restaurant, pays homage to the Art Deco era, masterfully blending classic French techniques with the finest British ingredients. Executive Chef William Drabble, lovingly known as Billy, showcases his culinary prowess through delectable dishes; think fresh lobster and Lune Valley lamb, accompanied by seasonal accents highlighting their natural flavours. With its intimate setting and chic ambience, the restaurant sets the stage for an impressive and contemporary French dining experience.

For those seeking a taste of history and indulgence, 1857 The Bar is a must-visit. Celebrating the hotel and club’s rich heritage, this bar specializes in an extensive collection of ports, including limited editions, rare finds, and aged tawnies. Immerse yourself in the opulent atmosphere, reminiscent of 1920s glamour, with vibrant yellow accents, plush velvet seating, and luxurious tan leather banquettes. Indulge in meticulously crafted cocktails, expertly mixed by the hotel’s head mixologist, while also exploring the impressive array of fine cognacs showcased in the exquisite back bar. 

THE FINAL WORD

There might be a plethora of hotels in London, but St. James’s Hotel & Club provides elegance, pure comfort and impeccable service; what’s not to love? Not to mention, the location just makes it easy to get to anywhere you want to be in the city. Indulge in the vibrant city by day, and cosy in by night. 

BOOK

Rooms from £375 per night. stjameshotelandclub.com

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Home House Hotel Review

STAY

It is not often that you get to glimpse life inside London’s most exclusive members’ clubs, unless, of course, you’re willing to shell out the membership fees and are accepted in. Which is why the opportunity to spend the night at Home House is all the more appealing; not only can you chose from 23 beautifully and uniquely decorated rooms and suites, you can become part of the Home House family; if only for the night. The rooms vary from Feature Rooms to Suites with striking design features ranging from original Chinese Chi’en Lung paper, hand painted in vibrant indigo and coral and dating back to 1820’s (found in ‘Patricia Portman’) to the actual Duke of Newcastle’s mirror (found, unsurprisingly, in the ‘Duke of Newcastle’ suite). Check out the ‘Lady Islington’ suite, home to surely one of the most impressive bathrooms in England, covered in the same red marble as can be found in St Paul’s Cathedral and featuring a towering glass ceiling and enormous bathtub flanked by stone pillars. Those not already in possession of a manor will instantly feel like the Lord or Lady of one when bathing in such surroundings. The smaller feature rooms are just as grand and all steeped in history. The Anthony Blunt room also boasts a glorious bathroom complete with library, and if you can tear yourself away from having fun in the club, rumour has it that you can still find where MI5 placed listening devices to monitor conversations and garner evidence.

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DO

Since you’re part of the club for the duration of your stay, we advise you fully immerse yourself in club life and refuse to leave the premises. In season, the Garden is an oasis where social distancing is easy (if not always desirable, with so many interesting people to meet) with the spacious dining and drinking areas, so you set yourself up for the afternoon with a chilled bottle of something sparkling and explore the club as it comes to life. We’d advise getting stuck in to Home House’s newest crowd-pleaser, the reimagined House 21 at No.21 Portman Square, one of the three houses that comprise the members’ club, which is the perfect ‘daytime to playtime’ escape. House 21 takes inspiration from the notorious Countess of Home’s wildly lavish parties and ‘such hedonistic behaviour that broke the harmony of Georgian Society life’. The space has been transformed by Russell Sage Studios, with contemporary art, eye-catching furnishings and statement lighting; think chandeliers made from brass instruments and martini-glass sculptures. There are two bars and two lounges, each with a different vibe, a different crowd, but the same eclectic mix of revellers and mischievous energy throughout.

EAT

Dining at Home House follows the same format as the partying, everything is approached with a playful decadence and the food, like the drinks, are best enjoyed at a leisurely pace, with a little-and-often eating schedule. Find a spot in the House Bar in House 21 and enjoy cocktails, wine and small plates while you watch the evening take shape around you. The oysters are a must, the Burrata delicious, the sesame seared tuna is perfection. You’ll want some truffle fries alongside your second (or third) cocktail – you may want to consider an Espresso martini to keep up with the pace of your fellow house guests – and the salt and pepper squid is surely the king of bar snacks. You may think you’re full after all this but to fail to leave space for some ‘Chocolate bomboloni’ (tiny chocolate-filled fried dumplings) would be foolish.

The Home House Garden is also now open for the summer season, offering a brand new menu for lunch and dinner. Open for both hotel guests and members, check out the garden menu for options including ‘Chef’s Catch of the Day’ and ‘Special Cut of the Day’, or head down at the weekend and enjoy barbecue cooked on an open grill alongside a drink or two. Speaking of drinks, you should take the opportunity to check out the newly launched Home House London Dry Gin, available only within the confines of the House for now. Made with exotic botanicals including Spanish Saffron and Macedonian Juniper, English Rose and Orris and the rarest Lignum Vitae, it’s the perfect party tipple.

THE FINAL WORD

Commissioned in 1773 and created by George III’s architect, James Wyatt, Home House was built purely as a party house, for visitors’ enjoyment and entertainment. Almost 250 years later, the hedonism lives on, and in these times, a little escapism goes a long way.

BOOK

Details of how to book a stay at Home House and further information on membership can be found at HomeHouse.co.uk

London’s Best Members’ Clubs

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City Of Dreams: London Is Still The Best Luxury Travel Destination 2023

Feeling blue? Fed up with the risk of recession, the cost-of-living crisis, political upheaval, strikes and all the other problems that currently beset our country? Cheer up: think of London. While Britain’s fortunes are in doubt, the trajectory of our capital city continues steadily upwards. It’s a world city for sure, many say the world’s greatest city; a recent survey carried out by global real estate and tourism consultancy Resonance has named it just that, trouncing Paris, New York, Singapore, Tokyo and the rest.

For locals and visitors alike, London throbs with life, a place of culture, innovation, good living and endless possibility. If you think only of escaping abroad this year, think again and consider staying put and allowing London to work its magic. Treat yourselves to a London hotel and you’ll find enough glamour, confidence, charisma and fun to sweep you through the rest of the year.

Treat yourself to a London hotel – the pool at the OWO

Our capital’s bounce back from the shuttered, desolate days of the pandemic has been swift and consummate. The City remains a financial powerhouse; hotels that had been just about surviving are now thriving, fuelled by tourists attracted – it must be said – by the weak pound; successful restaurants are packed; theatre audiences, if not quite back to pre-pandemic levels, are healthy and growing and our role as a global cultural hub remains unmatched. But there’s something extra that has buoyed London up and made sure that its star still shines bright: this truly multicultural city of 11 million souls, famed for its history,
architecture, food culture and theatre, its parks and gardens and distinctive neighbourhoods, is a magnet for the rich, the very rich and the unimaginably wealthy. Like it or not, it is they who are fuelling, for better or worse, London’s prominence among global cities and who are changing the face of the stately old lady.

Long-standing Londoners, myself included, have to pause and recalibrate when gazing on the soaring, ever-changing skyline and lavish redevelopments such as the Shard, Canary Wharf, Chelsea Barracks, King’s Cross, Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station. They wouldn’t exist without lavish foreign investment; indeed, some see London becoming more of an investment market than a place where people actually live, an island for tourists, absentee billionaires, oligarchs and Saudi princes whose multi-million pound properties stand empty for much of the year. It’s as if the city had become a bank, some warn, where the towers of luxury apartments are simply blocks of gold.

All global cities attract wealth, but none more so than London. The Qatari royal family own more real estate here than our own royal family, with some quintessentially British landmarks to their name such as Harrods, Claridge’s and most of the Shard.

Their own London homes are, no doubt, contemporary palaces. But if most of us are never going to see inside the extraordinary central London residences, with their car parks, state-of-the-art gyms and swimming pools, of the mega-rich, then we can at least enjoy the luxury hotels, open to all, that their money has allowed to proliferate. There’s no greater treat than a night in a riverside suite at the Savoy, owned by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, or you might choose the Dorchester (the Sultan of Brunei) or Claridge’s, the Berkeley or the Connaught (all Qatari).

The Dorchester is owned by the Sultan of Brunei

As if to prove that London’s starry attraction, certainly where hotels are concerned, a British-based billionaire’s plaything opening this summer, is set to eclipse all the rest. Owned by the Hinduja brothers and managed by Raffles, the historic Old War Office in Whitehall, a magnificent Ministry of Defence building previously closed to the public, is set to become a magnet for Londoners and visitors alike, with 120 rooms and suites, a Guerlain spa, vast ballroom and no less than nine restaurants and three bars. Of course, for the owners, the real profit lies in the 85 residences, selling from £5 million to £30 million apiece, that form the major part of the redevelopment. It’s all about real estate these days.

But if Raffles London at the OWO is destined to be most glamorous new opening this year, it’s by no means the only one. Hot on its heels is the Peninsula, newly constructed on Hyde Park Corner and featuring an expansive off-street courtyard in the style of a classic English garden; the Emory, an oblong of plate glass modernism in Knightsbridge from the Maybourne Group; the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair; 1 Hotel Mayfair; Sun Street in the City; the Broadwick Soho (designed by Martin Brudnizki); Art’otel Battersea; Ruby Zoe; the Chelsea Townhouse from Iconic Luxury Hotels… the list goes on. The velvet touch of utmost luxury is felt
nowhere more keenly than in Belgravia and Knightsbridge. Five-star hotels abound (the Peninsula and Emory are joining the Wellesley, the Berkeley, the Lanesborough, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, the Hari and the Goring) and destination restaurants – Marcus, Muse, Petrus, Amaya, Dinner – bristle with Michelin stars. Not so very long ago, the area was one of fields and watercress beds until, in 1820, owner Robert Grosvenor commissioned the brilliant Thomas Cubitt to develop the site. Thanks to his streets and squares of classy, well-built homes, marshy Five Fields, as the area was known, became the most desirable
neighbourhood in London.

A suite in the Art’Otel Battersea

From Belgravia, head for the Thames, which has never looked more polished. Stand on the Millennium Bridge and the world metropolis that is London is spread out before you, the old and the new, the 17th century and the 21st, St Paul’s cathedral and the Shard and all its satellite skyscrapers, with those of Canary Wharf beyond. It’s a thrilling sight.

But if the injection of glass and steel and wealth-induced buzz is what makes London feel starry these days, the city’s real strength, its permanent, unwavering appeal is something different, less ephemeral and far more characterful: its web of intimate neighbourhoods and villages, including Belgravia, Knightsbridge and Mayfair but many others besides, each with a distinctive character, interspersed with generous swathes of park. Lose them, and London, however wealthy, would instantly lose its appeal.

Featured Image: © Getty Images

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The Best Coronation Afternoon Teas in London

The Carlton Tower Jumeirah

The Carlton Tower Jumeirah in Knightsbridge is a suitably glamorous spot to toast to the new King, with an extra special afternoon tea on offer this May, created by esteemed pastry chef Jessica Préalpato. The tea is called A Tribute to Nature, inspired by King Charles’ love for flowers and gardening. True to her signature Desseralité style (a mix of the words dessert and naturalité), Jessica preserves the entirety of fruits by adding a carefully selected layer of flavours – without compromising the key ingredient. Enjoy sandwiches such as savoury truffle croissant with duck egg and black truffle, ahead of a variety of scones flavoured with ingredients like dried hibiscus flower and Colombian coffee. Exquisite pastries, meanwhile, include a chocolate and macadamia eclair, strawberry tart with bergamot, and pear and pine tart. There’s an extensive tea menu too, alongside champagne.

From £75pp, 24 April – 14 May 2023. jumeirah.com

The Chelsea Garden Afternoon Tea at 11 Cadogan Gardens 

The patisserie chefs at 11 Cadogan Gardens have been busy in the kitchen creating a fitting royal culinary celebration for the Coronation. Paying tribute to Chelsea’s beautiful gardens, each intricate pastry, sweet treat and homemade savoury is designed to evoke the flavours and aromas of the garden. Naturally, guests can expect fluffy scones and a refreshing glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne, too. 

From £49 per person, 1–7 May 2023, 2–6pm. 11cadogangardens.com 

Harvey Nichols

After a spot of afternoon shopping, settle down to an elegant afternoon tea on the fifth floor of Harvey Nichols, running in partnership with Chapel Down. Enjoy savoury classics like quiche, coronation chicken and finger sandwiches ahead of sweet treats including lemon posset with butter biscuit, and honey cake with fresh raspberries. There will also be fresh scones served with rhubarb jam and Cornish clotted cream, all paired with a refreshing glass of Chapel Down Three Graces.

£45pp, 6 – 8 May 2023. harveynichols.com

Great Scotland Yard Hotel

The five-star Great Scotland Yard Hotel, housed inside the former Metropolitan Police HQ, has fittingly teamed up with Royal Warrant holder Floris London on a special coronation afternoon tea. Available in The Parlour, a room inspired by Britain’s Victorian explorers, the multi-sensory experience draws upon Floris’ fragrance, Elite. Guests can enjoy finger sandwiches like chicken coronation on brown bread, and smoked salmon with horseradish and dill, alongside pastries including King Charles III’s lemon and strawberry charlotte.

From £59pp, 1 May – 1 July 2023. hyatt.com

Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason has had a long-standing relationship with the royals – and indeed King Charles himself granted the brand with a Royal Warrant when he was Prince of Wales. Its coronation afternoon tea will be served in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, celebrating some of the King’s favourite ingredients and his passion for the planet. The experience will begin with finger sandwiches of Cotswold egg mayonnaise and cucumber, salt beef with kohlrabi and tarragon, and trout with preserved lemon, alongside savoury dishes like Welsh lamb scotch egg with wild herb aioli and coronation lobster. On the sweet side, guests can expect some exquisite pastries crafted by executive pastry chef Roger Pizey and his team, such as a royal vanilla mousse lollipop, and a chocolate and strawberry cupcake. Enjoy alongside a cup of Fortnum’s Coronation Darjeeling Tea, an extra special blend to mark the occasion, or a glass of Blancs de Blancs Grand Cru Coronation Champagne. 

From early April 2023. fortnumandmason.com

Grosvenor House

Another royal favourite, Grosvenor House on Park Lane hosted a celebratory Coronation Ball for King George VI in 1937, as well as the Coronation Year Ladies’ Night for Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. To mark King Charles’ Coronation, the hotel has launched an afternoon tea complete with five limited-edition pastries crafted by head pastry chef Anthony Hurst – each representing the countries that make up the UK. ‘Journey to the Highlands’, for instance, is a mousse with organic honey extracted from foraged heather in the Scottish Highlands, while ‘English Rose’ is a twist on the strawberries and cream Wimbledon staple. Alongside this, guests can enjoy finger sandwiches such as coronation chicken, and Aberdeen Angus roast beef with cucumber and mint, plus Ridgeview English Sparkling Wine and Newby teas.

From £62.50pp, 4 April – 10 May 2023. parkroom.co.uk

The Dorchester

Back in 1953, British stage set designer Oliver Messel designed the decorations for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II – and now these are being recreated for the crowning of her son. Inside the hotel, guests can enjoy a special afternoon tea within The Promenade – which is looking prettier than ever thanks to a recent refurb. Executive pastry chef Michael Kwan has created a selection of themed cakes and sandwiches, which guests can enjoy alongside a glass of champagne.

£125pp, 5 – 8 May 2023. dorchestercollection.com

The Rubens at The Palace

Where better to enjoy a royal afternoon tea than at The Rubens at The Palace, the long-standing hotel which overlooks Buckingham Palace. A coronation-themed twist on its traditional tea is on offer from May to August, featuring an array of sweet and savoury treats, including a crown made from Opaly white chocolate, a cherry chocolate brownie and classic finger sandwiches.

1 May – 1 August 2023. rubenshotel.com

The Goring

Located just round the corner from Buckingham Palace, The Goring has a strong connection with the Royal Family. It hosted royalty during the coronations of both George VI and Queen Elizbeth II, and in 2013 the hotel received a Royal Warrant, making it the only hotel to have been granted one for hospitality services. Of course, then, it has a coronation afternoon tea. This will be served on the veranda overlooking The Goring Garden, featuring King Charles’ favourite cakes and sandwiches, with sweet treats adorned with the CRIII insignia, carriages and crowns.

£75pp. thegoring.com

Aquavit London

For something a bit different, head to Aquavit London, where you can enjoy a Nordic twist on afternoon tea. Inspired by the Swedish tradition of ‘Fika’ – enjoying coffee and a sweet treat with friends – the offering includes open rye bread sandwiches with Scandi flavours, like creamed potato salad, Atlantic shrimp with dill mayonnaise, and roast beef with horseradish. Sweet treats, meanwhile, include Swedish delicacies like the Semla, a cardamom bun filled with almond paste and topped with vanilla cream. Enjoy alongside a choice of English Breakfast, Earl Grey or fresh mint tea.

£45pp, 2 – 6 May 2023. aquavitrestaurants.com

The Savoy

It doesn’t get much more iconic than The Savoy, one of the capital’s most historic hotels dating back to 1889. The venue is celebrating King Charles’ crowning in true Savoy style, with a dedicated Nyetimber Bus, a street party and of course an afternoon tea. It will be served in the beautiful Thames Foyer, which is being adorned with wisteria (King Charles’ favourite flower), featuring finger sandwiches and traditional British cakes. Think British rhubarb and vanilla custard tartlet, lemon drizzle cake and Victoria sponge, paired with Nyetimber’s Classic Cuvee MV and Rosé MV, as well as JING Pearls Sparkling Tea. 

thesavoylondon.com

Brown’s Hotel 

Mayfair’s Brown’s Hotel has partnered with jeweller Boodles on its English Garden Afternoon Tea, a celebration of Britain’s bountiful summer produce. A nod to the King’s passion for gardening, as well as Boodles’ Secret Garden and Woodland collections, the experience includes finger sandwiches and cakes decorated with fresh flowers. Beekeeping is a long-standing tradition in the Royal Family, so the cake stand is topped with a cake in the shape of a beehive, which will be drizzled with Highgrove Honey. All guests will receive hand-painted postcards which they can use to write and congratulate the King while enjoying their tea – and then post in the pink Boodles postbox.

£75pp, 1 March – 31 August 2023. roccofortehotels.com

Featured image: The Carlton Tower Jumeirah

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The Best Hotels In London To Book Now

Some reviews are taken from this year’s Great British & Irish Hotels Guide. You can read the full reviews online or purchase your print Hotels Guide here. 

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An Aesthetic Weekend In Carnaby

Carnaby embodies modern Soho: shops housed in classical buildings, winding streets with installations hanging over them, splashes of colour wherever possible, and a storied history. It’s considered the home of Swinging London, the city at the centre of the Swinging ‘60s movement and its associated rock music, mod fashion and general hippie vibe. The likes of The Who and The Rolling Stones performed at the nearby Marquee Club, drawing fans to the area; the latter just opened their first shop right on Carnaby Street, an immersive shopping experience ideal for fans of the band.

Carnaby Union Flag Installation

Pitted between Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus, Carnaby – centred around the main Carnaby Street – is a destination in its own right. This is shopping elevated from mundane to experiential, with showstopping displays filling the windows and glittering outdoor installations and street art to match. Whether you’re looking to browse the 160 stores (from known brands to concept stores to independents), dine at the countless delicious restaurants, snap pictures with the Instagrammable street art, or just stroll the pedestrianised streets – absorbing London’s exhilarating bustle sans angry drivers – here’s how to spend your time at Carnaby Street.

Karma Sanctum Soho

20 Warwick St, London W1B 5NF

Start by relinquishing your bags and checking into your new home for the night. Sanctum Soho is a rock’n’roll concept hotel hidden behind a beaux arts facade. It’s everything you’d expect from a rock legend’s house: thick carpets, moody lights, a constant distant-sounding music, black and white artwork filling the walls, an omnipresent balmy warmth, and a ubiquitous scent that can only be described as your rock legend’s musky aftershave. And that’s just the corridors. Enter your equally moody bedroom (one of 30 guestrooms and suites) through a dark wood door with glittering silver rhinestone door handle for dark purples, pewter metallics, textured wallpaper, black bedposts, amber light emanating from freestanding black lamps, more playful black and white artwork, and a haven of lightness in the bed with its white sheets and cream throw pillows. Step into the bathroom for a rain-like shower head and spacious sink cocooned by tiles the iridescent rainbow colour of an oil puddle. 

It all makes sense: Karma Sanctum Soho was designed in 2009 by music insiders looking for a boutique hotel with the feel of a home away from home. Two converted Georgian town houses, venture upstairs – back through those scented, carpeted corridors – to the rooftop terrace with 24 hour bar and hottub to boot. Or go subterranean and visit Inner Sanctum, the members cocktail bar and lounge. Though delicious adventures await just beyond your doorstep, Chef Garry Hollihead serves tempting Japanese street food onsite at Wild Heart Bar & Shokudo. sanctumsoho.com 

So.Shell

34 Marshall Street, Carnaby, London, W1F 3EU

Tear yourself away from your cloud-soft bed, and into Carnaby. Start as you mean to go on: with self care. So.Shell is a new Ukrainian nail and brow bar, hiring Ukrainian refugees and boasting the ability to complete a manicure, pedicure and eyebrow treatment in 90 minutes without scrimping on quality. Inject a springy pop of colour to your life with a gel manicure from one of the lovely nail technicians – or go even further with a spot of nail art. Nail extensions, lash treatments and eyebrow treatments are all also available. soshell.uk 

 

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Bar Kroketa

21 Beak Street, London, W1F 9RR

Then, it’s only right and proper to fuel up with tasty Spanish tapas. Tucked away on Beak Street, Bar Kroketa is a long, neighbourhood-style bar and restaurant with a daily-changing menu fed by the kitchen and deli counter. Leave your restaurant formalities at the door: this is a true Spanish space, brimming with chatter and a playful attitude.

Bar Kroketa (Jamie Lau/Studio Lau)

Tuck into bar snacks like crisps with olives and pickles, refreshing mussels with pico de gallo, and moreish padron peppers with a sprinkling of sea salt. Peruse today’s menu on the blackboard hovering above the small open kitchen, and pick from a range of titular kroketas: pumpkin and shallots, calcots and manchego cream, king prawn and prawn head aioli, or perhaps the black squid ink and aioli for a dramatically gothic bite. Fresh from that small kitchen, the pintxos sharing board is not to be missed, the fish rendition featuring mouthwatering juicy prawns, tender octopus and tasty squid. Wash it all down with a tasty cocktail, or a refreshing Spanish beer. kroketa.co.uk 

Retail Therapy

There are over 160 shops to explore in Carnaby, from IKKS Paris’ UK flagship to rebellious Aussie brand Ksubi to C&TH favourite, RIXO. Pop into Bloobloom to browse the chicest, most ethical of glasses and sunglasses; plan ahead and book yourself a free eye test, too. Or maybe get a cheeky ear piercing at the endlessly aesthetic Astrid & Miyu – or a tattoo, or a permanent bracelet, perhaps. Or maybe just browse the sparkly jewellery…

RS No.9 Carnaby

It’s not just shopping here, though: Carnaby is all about experience. Take RS No.9 Carnaby, for instance – The Rolling Stones’ concept store with its glass floors, giant tongue installations, rock soundtrack, and array of unique merchandise. NICCE’s sumptuously soft casualwear has never looked so lavish, arranged by colour with unique displays. Or, over at Lazy Oaf, enjoy the satisfying combination of minimalist display and maximalist decor, with the graphic and playful apparel inspired by youthful rebellion speaking for itself.

Window shoppers will be content here, too: from multicoloured facades to extravagant window displays, there’s plenty to see even if you’re reducing your new purchases. And if that is you, make sure to pop into Mind; is this London’s chicest charity shop? With a baby pink painted front and a small interior, it feels boutique in here, despite being a charity shop. The items have been specially curated with the W1 shopper in mind: browse the rails for Givenchy, Vivienne Westwood, Burberry, Coach and Louis Vuitton; don’t miss the jewellery and vintage handbags tucked away at the back.

Stroll Around & Spot The Street Art

Carnaby is home to a range of funky art: to see it, just look up. From the huge, tiled homage to London on Broadwick Street, to the giant wallplug with parakeets on Ganton Street, to multicoloured shop fronts and typography reminding you where you are (Carnaby) on almost every corner, there is so much to absorb – and that’s before mentioning the iconic installations. Two huge, shimmering rainbows arch over Carnaby Street while, further down the road at the junction with Ganton Street, a glittering union flag hovers over shoppers, created with 30,000 red, white and blue shimmer discs. Grapple with other keen phototakers for your moment in the spotlight or, pro tip, arrive before 10am for quieter streets and more peaceful photo opps. 

Kingly Court

Head to the west side of Ganton Street to stroll beneath the 51 oversized, multicoloured LED light bulbs – even more spectacular at night – and to Kingly Street with its pink string lights crisscrossing the street. Here, find a range of tasty restaurants to dine in for the evening, from Dishoom to Pizza Pilgrims, Kolamba to Dehes. Don’t miss Kingly Court, a bustling courtyard that welcomes you in with aesthetic signage and black and white chequered floor. Slip down the narrow corridor, which opens into a bustling multi-floor courtyard with outdoor heating, greenery, a tented ceiling, blue railings on each floor, and an autumnal tree with glittering gold lights at the centre. 

Darjeeling Express

Kingly Court, Kingly Street, London W1B 5PW

Hidden at the top of Kingly Court, Darjeeling Express is Asma Khan’s new London home – or should we say homecoming, her first London restaurant having been housed here in 2018. Moving from the successful Covent Garden branch in search of a more open space, Darjeeling Express is and always has been woman-led, with a team of women at the helm of the kitchen cooking up home-style food inspired by Calcutta’s street food. Here in Kingly Court, watch dishes being cooked up in the open kitchen, surrounded by sun-kissed terracotta interiors and house plants galore. Lunch is a la carte, but dinner is a set menu, a selection of tasty dishes served on a circular metal tray, where guests are encouraged to pour, dip, and eat with their hands, gathering around the table and sharing in the traditional ‘daawat’ (feasting) style. Think succulent chicken in a rich sauce, the juiciest prawns, and a wealth of rice, puri and poppadoms. Health warning: not one for the spice averse. darjeeling-express.com

 

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Nightjar

Kingly Court, Kingly Street, London W1F 9PY

Then venture back down the stairs of Kingly Court and keep your eyes peeled for Night Jar, the Soho outpost of the iconic Shoreditch venue, signalled only by subtle signs and a bouncer guarding the unremarkable door. Venture down another flight of stairs to find a buzzy speakeasy bar with a healthy dose of old school glamour, live music and bubbling chatter emanating from every table. The menu is world-renowned, uncovering forgotten cocktails from as far back as the 1600s; the concept menu is split into Pre-Prohibition (1600–1918), Prohibition (1918–1932), Post-War (1940–2000) and ‘Nightjar Signatures’. 

London Mule

There’s a drink for every mood, whether you’re looking for a fruity number, a ‘serious cocktail from a desperate time’ (Prohibition, naturally), or something experiential. The Yorkshire Punch sharing cocktail (Ford’s Gin, St Germain elderflower liqueur, berry liqueur, Yorkshire Tea, apple and rhubarb Juice, fresh lemon, ginger beer, bee pollen syrup) arrives in a bird jug billowing dry ice mist, before your pour the delicious concoction into tea cups. Or for your moment in the spotlight, pick the delicious Barrel-Aged Zombie (Appleton Estate 8 Year Reserve Rum, Hendrick’s Absinthe, Foursquare Spiced Rum, Aluna Coconut Rum, Wray & Nephew Overproof Rum, Merlet Apricot Brandy, maraschino, Mamajuana cordial, fresh pineapple juice, ginger beer) which comes with an alcohol doused slice of Madeira cake set alight at the table. Nightjar is the perfect destination for a theatrical night out (fitting in such proximity to the West End), or just a nightcap before you venture back to bed. nightjarcarnaby.com

Breakfast At Dishoom

22 Kingly Street, London W1B 5QP

After a cocooning night’s sleep and enveloping shower at Karma Sanctum Soho, bid farewell to the musky corridors and step out into the fresh morning air. Just steps away, the cavernous Carnaby Dishoom beckons with its iconic breakfast. Believe the hype: paying loving homage to Bombay’s lost Irani cafés, expect a menu brimming with breakfast delights with an Iranian twist and playful descriptions. The Parsi Omelette (three eggs, chopped tomato, onion, coriander, green chilli and cheese) is a light and refreshing start to the day, or try one of the iconic Dishoom Naan Rolls, filled with bacon, sausage (vegan sausages available) or egg, or brave the Wrestler’s Naan Roll containing the whole hash. Eat surrounded by a range of warm interiors with billowing houseplants, wood finishes and leather sofas – truly, this Dishoom is like three restaurants in one. Don’t miss the House Chai: spicy, warming and gratifyingly bottomless. And then it’s back out into bustling Carnaby for another day of aesthetic exploration. dishoom.com 

DISCOVER

Discover more about Carnaby at carnaby.co.uk and @carnabylondon

The post Is This The Most Instagrammable Part Of London? – Exploring Carnaby appeared first on Country and Town House.

Knightsbridge London Travel Guide 

STAY 

The Berkeley 

Top-tier London hotels are in abundance in this neat little borough, which stretches from Hyde Park Corner in one corner to the Victoria & Albert in the other. But none make for a grown-up home away from home quite like the understated but buzzy Berkeley, beloved by celebrities and seasoned globetrotters alike. 

The hotel has enlisted a host of design talents throughout the floors and shared spaces so there is something for every taste. From Helen Green to André Fu, luxury is the common thread, with attention to detail and a focus on maximising space and light (challenging in this grey and busy capital). John Heah’s Asian-British fusion bring elegance and calm to the impressive first-floor signature suites, the Apartment, the Gallery and the spacious Grand Terrace Suites. 

The Berkeley Grand Terrace Suite by John Heah

These grand terrace suites are more spacious than most zone one flats, with a room rate to match a month’s rent. A worthwhile treat, with enormous cloud-soft beds overlooking a wide, light-flooded terrace and St Paul’s church beyond, two lounge areas, a mini office and a cream marble bathroom complete with waterfall shower, Japanese toilet (plus additional loo at the back of the suite) and a standalone bath. 

If you can drag yourself away from your room and out into the hotel you’ll find five restaurants and bars for dawn until dusk eating and drinking. For special occasion dining book in (advance) to Marcus for Marcus Wareing’s famous Michelin-starred wizardry or visit the Collins Room for all-day dining. Beat off the crowds in Cédric Grolet at The Berkeley for the best pastries in town, or indulge in a nightcap in The Berkeley Bar and Terrace, where cigars and cocktails are on offer.

But starting the day with a rooftop swim is the ultimate Knightsbridge indulgence, whatever the weather. Yes, it’s a haven in the summer months, but on a cool, sunny spring morning the heated pool will be yours alone, with views across Hyde Park making this little slice of London feel like the ultimate escape. the-berkeley.co.uk 

EAT 

The Berkeley Breakfast

There is no better way to start the day than with a hotel breakfast. And there is no better hotel breakfast in London than The Berkeley’s. Order this double superlative to your room for service fit for royalty, and feast on pastries, shakshuka, chia pudding and eggs in your waffle robe and fluffy slippers. the-berkeley.co.uk

Blue Bar

We’ve already mentioned that it’s The Berkeley’s buzz that elevates its appeal, and the centre of this can be found at the Blue Bar just inside the doors. Find a cosy booth in David Collins Studio’s Lutyens Blue theme and enjoy one of the most colourful cocktails in town, both aesthetically and in flavour. the-berkeley.co.uk

Studio Frantzén at Harrods

Studio Frantzén at Harrods

Getting lost in this retail mecca is no bad thing if it leads to the very top floor and Swedish chef Björn Frantzén’s newest restaurant Studio Frantzén. Stunning Nordic gastronomy with Asian influences in a sprawling Scandinavian-inspired space complete with roof terrace access. Start with a drink at the bar (the Hartass cocktail blends Lingonberry, blackcurrant, sloe gin, yuzushu, champagne and gold) then move to a cosy booth for a slow and steady stream of dreamy bites that should definitely include the grilled oysters, scallops and steamed turbot. No space for pudding? A coffee and a dish of tiny, moreish madeleines is just the ticket. Studio Frantzén has launched a lunch menu for spring – 2 courses for £45 or 3 courses for £55 | From April, Studio Frantzén’s terrace opening hours will be extended to 11pm to allow guests to enjoy the roof terrace | harrods.com

Feya

One of the prettiest spots in Knightsbridge for a cuppa and a cake, Feya employs a 75 percent women workforce and 10 percent of the profits from the sales of products are donated to Young Women’s Trust, a charity working to achieve economic justice for women. feya.co.uk

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

Is it even a British staycation if you don’t have an afternoon tea? (Technically yes, but a sub-par one, in our opinion.) Head to the impossibly grand Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park (directly opposite Harvey Nichs, if you’re still on the retail-therapy train and need sustenance) and get seated at The Rosebery for one of the most indulgent afternoon teas in town. Superb sandwiches followed by seasonally curated pastries and scones served on a unique birdcage-inspired hanging cake stand. A glass of Ruinart is the perfect way to start, but the tea sommelier’s menu of 29 loose-leaf teas, and the enthusiasm with which they are presented, are what sets this tea-lovers’ dream above the rest. afternoontea.co.uk

Afternoon Tea at The Rosebery Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

Post-tea, pop next door to one of London’s coolest hotel bars, The Aubrey, where an eccentric Japanese izakaya experience awaits, along with some of the best mixes in the borough. mandarinoriental.com

DO 

Spend, Spend, Spend

You’ll need little encouragement to get out and enjoy the towering department stores and chic boutiques of Knightsbridge, since they crowd every corner of this exclusive postcode. Big names include Burberry, Harvey Nichs, Rigby & Peller and Harrods, but the pristine dress agencies of the area (Sellier and Pandora for example) are worth checking out for luxe second hand finds. 

The ARX 

Take in a little art at The ARX, a cutting-edge space on Brompton Road bringing together art, design, craftsmanship and technology. Check out dynamic solo and collaborative exhibitions from up-and-comers and established names including the likes of Tracey Emin. thearx.com

The Berkeley Rooftop Pool

Hyde Park

If you spied Hyde Park during your morning swim at The Berkeley, you’ll want to get out and explore it. London’s biggest park is packed with activity options, and plenty of green spaces for wandering and picnicking in. 

Facial At The Light Salon

All this indulgence left you in need of some, well, more indulgence? The beauty floor at Harvey Nichols is bustling with options for a quick pick-me-up, but our choice is a visit to The Light Salon for a Collagen Boost LED Facial, which will lift, plump and smooth in just 30 minutes. While this is the perfect pre-event facial, we’d recommend finishing your trip with this relaxing complexion-corrector, as you’ll want to glide straight into a taxi and home to put your feet up, glow restored. harveynichols.com

THE FINAL WORD 

From the buzzy art scene and architectural gazings to park wandering, there’s more to this historic borough than opportunities to splash some serious cash. But if you do have money to spend, Knightsbridge makes it easy; fine dining, designer boutiques and historic hotels every-which-way you turn. As London staycations go, a Knightsbridge weekender is the ultimate indulgence. 

BOOK 

Find out more at knightsbridgeldn.co.uk 

Rooms at The Berkeley is £750+VAT | Grand Terrace Suites start at £3480 for two | the-berkeley.co.uk 

The post The Ultimate Knightsbridge Weekender: The Berkeley & Beyond appeared first on Country and Town House.

Read the C&TH Responsible Tourism Guide

Review: Little Ranger Adventures at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

One of the great treats in life, whether you are a Londoner, a country dweller in town for a few days, or a traveller from further afield, is to hole up in one of our finest hotels and simply wallow in luxury. It’s perfect, of course, for couples but have you ever thought of taking the kids too? Or in my case, grandkids? Olive (aged three) and I (aged a lot more) were invited to try out the Mandarin Oriental’s new bespoke offering for families, designed to take full advantage of the hotel’s exceptional location with Harvey Nichols and buzzing Knightsbridge on one side and glorious Royal Parkland, currently awash with daffodils, on the other.

The moment we arrived, we were swept up – right up, as it happens, to the incredible ninth floor Penthouse Suite, designed, like the rest of the hotel by Joyce Wang (though there are plenty of less expensive family rooms and suites to choose from). My tip-off that Olive is a fruitaholic meant that a mountain of exotic fruits was waiting for her, plus an edible garden of cakes and more fruit courtesy of Bake Off, The Professionals winner Emmanuel Bonneau, who is the hotel’s delightful executive pastry chef. By now, Olive was already in heaven, but the best was to come. Her bedroom was filled with pretty balloons; a custom-made wooden treasure chest filled with carefully chosen dressing up clothes, toys and books; and best of all, a wigwam. Olive spent a lot of time in her wigwam, with a secret stash of strawberries and kiwi fruit, and a pile of pilfered popcorn guarded by a soldier bear in a busby. 

The soft toy bear was for her to keep… it denoted that Olive was to become a Royal Ranger. As part of the Little Rangers experience, children can choose to be Royal Rangers, Park Rangers or Sloane Rangers. A bespoke treasure hunt map leads them and their parents to nearby places specific to each type: Buckingham Palace, the Peter Pan statue, Harvey Nichols and more. Also included in the package is a professional photoshoot which Princess Olive adored (the photographer, Jason, from Imagethirst, was brilliant) and Movie Night: a film of her choice with popcorn and fairy lights. When bedtime finally came, I’ve never seen anyone fall asleep so fast. 

Breakfast, the next morning, was just as special. At a window table overlooking the park Olive, surrounded by the kindest of waiters, tucked into her eclectic choice from the buffet (pain au raisins, smoked salmon, Babybel cheese) while watching the wonderful sight of the Royal Household Cavalry passing by, which they do every morning. 

A greater treat still, was in store, one that both granny and Olive will never forget. On request, extra experiences can be arranged in advance, including, for Sloane Rangers, a children’s personal shopping experience at Harvey Nichols; for Park Rangers, a sensory game in Hyde Park, and for Royal Rangers, feeding the horses at Hyde Park Barracks.

What a thrill. Troop leader Jeremy of the Blues and Royals, resplendent in his frock coat uniform, his blue, red and gold cap and his sword and spurs was a wonderful guide, putting Olive completely at her ease as she happily fed carrots to some of Britain’s finest horses – the enormous and rather crotchety drum horses and the gleaming, patient cavalry blacks – in their stalls. It was fascinating to learn about the Household Cavalry and its central role in the forthcoming coronation and fascinating to visit the regimental farrier at his forge who presented Olive with her very own horseshoe. There can’t be many amusements for kids as special as this one; Olive was entranced and so was her granny. It’s something you can only access via the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park next door and as treats go, becoming a Little Ranger is a pretty special one.

BOOK IT:

Rates start at £880. For reservations, contact molon-reservations@mohg.com or visit mandarinoriental.com

The post Review: Little Ranger Adventures at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park appeared first on Country and Town House.

Crêpes are a menu staple, freshly made in front of diners’ eyes throughout the day, with a range of sweet and savoury toppings on offer. Guests can keep it classic with the traditional lemon and sugar, or go all out with a native lobster dish, which sees Claridge’s iconic Seafood Cocktail dish transformed into crêpe form, made with white crab meat, lettuce and quail’s egg and topped with caviar.

There will also be an array of pastries on offer in the mornings, plus dishes like coconut chia pudding, homemade granola and baked eggs with ratatouille. Come lunchtime, guests can tuck into croissant sandwiches, or the Claridge’s croque madame: a combination of sourdough, oozing mozzarella, Dorrington ham and a three-cheese béchamel, with a fried egg on top. A lot of effort, too, has gone into creating the perfect veggie sandwich, which takes a full two days to make: aubergine is brined, marinated for 12 hours in soy, deep fried and dehydrated, then topped with sauerkraut and served in rye bread.

Whatever you choose, it will be near-impossible to resist picking up a sweet treat from the central glass counter, which will display rows of patisserie from Executive Pastry Chef Thibault Hauchard. Highlights include the Claridge’s Crest Cake, a replica of the hotel’s historical coat of arms, and The Mega Mayfair Madeleine, a supersized version of the French delicacy made of citrus sponge with a gooey caramel centre.

All this can be paired with artisan coffee from Cornwall-born Origin Coffee – or, if you’re feeling particularly sweet-toothed, a cup of the Cafe’s signature hot chocolate. Giving the café that extra luxurious edge (this is Claridge’s after all), champagne will also be poured from dawn through to dusk.

On the interiors front, Claridge’s ArtSpace Café features Pawson’s signature minimalist aesthetic, with white walls and a pale terrazzo floor, jazzed up with leather banquettes, ash wood custom furniture and black and white photographs lining the walls. 

The café will sit alongside Claridge’s ArtSpace, the hotel’s gallery which offers a rotating roster of exhibitions – but it will be a creative hub in its own right, too. Pots filled with pens and pencils, plus art paper pads, will be dotted around so visitors who are so inclined can have a doodle while they eat and drink. A central communal table seating ten, meanwhile, is designed as a space for creative gatherings.

Speaking about the launch, Culinary Director Dmitri Magi said: ‘This is a new kind of dining for Claridge’s – an informal style which will focus on building community, both locally and in the art world. Claridge’s ArtSpace Café is our contribution – with more to come – to making Brook’s Mews a London destination of the future.’

claridges.co.uk

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100 Queen’s Gate Hotel Review

STAY 

In a city where luxury hotels are in abundance, finding the perfect one can come down to numbers. First up, price: 100 Queen’s Gate is one of the most affordable five star hotels in London, with rooms available for around £200 a night depending on season and availability. It’s six minutes to walk to South Kensington station, or 20 to walk to Harrod’s. The V&A and Natural History Museum are 10 minutes away, and the afternoon tea (taken in the stunning Botanica atrium) starts at £46 per person. If these numbers add up for your city staycation needs, 100 Queen’s Gate beckons. 

The hotel is the 1870s home of aristocrat William Alexander, and despite having been transformed into a modern-day oasis with all the creature comforts you’d expect from one of Hilton’s Curio Collection hotels, it still carries its original Victoriana charm. Decor is chic and colourful, a mixture of luxe modern velvet furniture, grand chandeliers and glass cabinets filled with vintage curiosities and trinkets. Despite the light and spacious common areas and lounges, hallways are dark and narrow. Thankfully the rooms coming off them are cosy rather than confined, light-filled and comfortable. Rooms fit into Superior, Deluxe or Luxury categories, while luxe rooms and suites are named after the likes of Agatha Christie and Henry James.

The lounge area in a duplex suite

The rooms are stylish and inviting, the beds enormous and comfortable and the double-level duplex suites have skylights in case the skies over London clear. Bathrooms are fairly compact, with combined bath-showers, so if it’s a spacious hotel bathroom you seek, check into the vast Queen’s Gate Suite, complete with private entrance, marble bathroom and statement gold headboards. WiFi is free and reliable, and if your budget stretches to one of the two-level suites, setting up your office downstairs on the plush velvet sofa or padded window bench makes for a delightful (and productive) Kensington workcation. Guests with extra accessibility needs should request the adapted room on the lower ground floor, which has an accessible entrance and a carer’s room. 

EAT 

Breakfast is served in W/A and consists of a well-presented buffet of all the essentials, though nothing to write home about. Save the waxing lyrical until you’ve enjoyed food and drinks in the basement cocktail bar ESQ, where well-mixed and exotic cocktails are served alongside an evening menu of tasty Japanese small plates that are worth coming back for. 

DO 

If it’s a quiet place to work and meet you seek, 100 Queen’s Gate is a wonderful place for a change of scene and an indulgent solo work staycation. But if it’s a city crash pad for exploring you crave, west London is your oyster from this, the fanciest of postcodes. Spend a day museum-hopping, wander through Kensington Gardens or shop until you drop. 

THE FINAL WORD 

A plush and affordable hotel in a postcode fit for a monarch. Whether for work or play, you’ll be royally spoilt at 100 Queen’s Gate. 

BOOK 

Room rates at 100 Queen’s Gate, London start at £239 for one night in a Superior Room | 100queensgate.com 

More Hotel Reviews

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