A Quick Hotel Update from London

On a brief visit to London for three nights, I visited some of the hotels we use and at some of which we extend exclusive benefits for our clients.

The Goring Hotel is near Buckingham Palace. A family owned hotel, The Goring is your classic English hotel, which I love. I like to stay in hotels that characterize their country and this hotel does. They have a lovely English Garden out back and if you can get a room that looks out at the garden I highly recommend that view. The lounge and bar areas are popular with the locals as is their gorgeous dining room. Should you be staying at the hotel dine at least one night in this famous restaurant. (You will need reservations in advance of arrival.) The rooms are spacious and the bathrooms huge. Service is impressive and I loved the staff.

I inspected several of Red Carnation Hotels’ London properties. The Rubens Hotel isn’t far from where I was staying opposite of Buckingham Palace. They have approximately 160 rooms & suites with a lovely bar and restaurant. Good hotel for families because they have several rooms that can connect. Nice size rooms some with king and sofa beds. The double rooms at the back of the hotel are quiet and I would recommend staying in one of those rooms.

Next door is the intimate 41 Hotel with a private entrance. It is much like staying in your own private town house with only 32 rooms and decorated in black & white. The dining area for breakfast or light meals is a two story library. They have great views of Buckingham Palace and they have a large executive suite which has two baths. Clients that stay at 41 have signing privileges at the Rubens, but clients from Rubens are not allowed to use the facilities at 41.

The Chesterfield Mayfair is located in the heart of Mayfair. They have 107 rooms & suites and one room has handicap accommodations. Bedding is twins, doubles or kings and I found the rooms to be spacious, plus I enjoy how the rooms are decorated with fabric walls and gorgeous linens. The hotel has a lovely restaurant and popular bar.

Next I visited Edgerton House located in Knightsbridge, close to Harrods’s. Another townhouse feel hotel with 30 rooms, a small bar and lounge area. They have a small dining room that serves only breakfast but they provide 24-hour room service. I love how the rooms are decorated with queen or king beds and should you want a more intimate hotel in Knightsbridge I wouldn’t hesitate arranging your stay here. This property has many stairs.

I ended my visits at The Milestone Hotel overlooking Kensington Palace & the park. What a view of the palace – it is gorgeous. The hotel resembles a large Victorian townhouse with 67 rooms and suites. The public rooms are classic intimate English design and each room is truly a work of art. You would not believe the safari suite decorated in, of course, animal prints and colors. This suite would be perfect for someone on their way to Africa. They will get into the spirit staying in this suite. I had the pleasure of dining in their intimate restaurant with the general manager — what wonderful food.

Red Carnation Hotels pride themselves on having fine dining at all of their hotels. Everyone I met at the hotels was a delight and friendly and I enjoyed my visits. Onwards…

I took a short drive back to Knightsbridge to the The Capital Hotel just a few steps from Harrods’s. The lobby is small and dark which when entering from the street doesn’t give it a great first impression. The restaurant holds two Michelin stars and a small bar. They have 49 rooms and suites which are well designed but I feel the hotel needs some updating.

Next door you will find their sister hotel The Levin. You feel like you are entering someone’s private home with only 12 rooms. They have a small lounge with an honor bar in the lobby. It has an informal restaurant where locals and visitors like to dine for breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea. Rooms are roomy and beautiful decorated and there are many, many stairs. The hotel has 24-hour room service and I enjoyed the property. I wouldn’t hesitate having my clients stay here who want a more boutique style hotel.

Last, I visited The Ritz Hotel the following morning (independent of the Ritz-Carlton brand). It is still a beautiful English hotel with strict English standards. The dress code is enforced and you are not allowed to wear jeans or sportswear into the dining or tea room. Security is apparent throughout the hotel. I had the opportunity to see several of the suites and the new extension of the hotel they acquired next door. The restoration that went into the extension, which is a town house, along with the paintings and design is fabulous. The “”regular”” rooms are spacious and gorgeous. The hotel’s famous afternoon tea has four seating’s starting at 11:30am. Reservations and proper dress is required. The Ritz is an amazing hotel and is an experience.

We have a number of special amenities at London hotels, or at luxury travel accomodations worldwide.