With a once-in-a-lifetime coronation around the corner, restaurants opening at the pre-pandemic rate and a slew of new and fabulously renovated hotels, the British capital has never been hotter or more exciting regardless of what the pundits may tell you:
Courtesy Corinthia London.
Corinthia
It was only 10 years ago that Corinthia, a relatively unknown hotel brand originating in Malta, established itself as one of London’s foremost luxury hotels. A stone’s throw from Trafalgar Square and minutes from the Houses of Parliament, I now confidently list Corinthia London as one of the British capital’s top five hotels. From the moment the doorman welcomes you on the steps, the Corinthia’s concept of luxury extends to every aspect of your stay. The suites, many of them with jaw-dropping views of the River Thames and the London Eye, are among the largest you’ll find anywhere, with a sumptuous bedroom and dressing room, living room, separate dining room and a bathroom that breaks all the superlatives. There is great contemporary art to admire on the walls and beautiful, original glasswork to enjoy. Even the table lamps are objects of great beauty.
But this is just the start. What made a recent stay outstanding were some of the kindnesses shown by the hotel’s exceptional staff. Returning to the room after dinner my first night, I found my suit, which I had left in a crumpled heap, pressed and hung up. A note from my personal butler mentioned that my suit had perhaps become a little creased from traveling and I would likely want it to look perfect for the following day. On another occasion, I found the baguette I had pinched from the breakfast buffet and left by the coffee machine in my living room, placed inside a napkin in a silver filigree bread basket. In the bathroom, cosmetics and other items lazily scattered around the sink were arranged neatly on a sparkling new linen square each day, as was my sponge bag, while back in the bedroom and living room, uneaten edible treats were removed and replaced, as were the flowers beautiful arrangements of roses, gardenias, snapdragons and arum lilies.
In the food and beverage department, Corinthia has also consolidated its position as one of the best gastronomic centers in London, with ex-Cliveden chef Andr Garrett heading up the hotel’s elegant Northall restaurant and celebrated TV chef Tom Kerridge in his own-name restaurant delivering superb British classics. There is also a glorious Winter Garden (with the shaggiest white seat coverings) and a deliciously seductive new Champagne and cocktail bar, Velvet.
Last but not least is the Corinthia Spa, three expansive floors of exotic black marble, with enclosed gas-flame fires, beautiful, black-tiled steam rooms and a sunken sauna, luxurious treatment and changing rooms and inviting sleep pods.
Last word? If you don’t make it to London any time soon, Corinthia New York is slated to open later this year, occupying the 1926 Upper East Side building that was previously The Surrey hotel.
The Dorchester
The Dorchester was always one of Londons grande dame hotels. Indeed, since its opening in 1931, it has been of the world’s most celebrated hostelries. After a year of renovation, it remains so, with a new, expanded lobby offering a stunning Christian Furr painting of Hyde Park and an architecturally listed ceiling spectacular moldings dripping with gold leaf.
Situated on Park Lane, The Dorchester does nothing by halves. Vast flower arrangements, packed out with the hotel’s very own hybrid Dorchester roses, flank the newly-widened entrance to the Promenade, the magnificent all-day gathering and dining space, with its new menus by incoming culinary director Martyn Nail. And the Pierre-Yves Rochon interiors include exquisite Aubusson-style carpets and encompass the hotel’s charming British eccentricities. Look out for Ann Carrington’s replica postage stamp of Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, made entirely of mother-of-pearl buttons.
In addition to the hotel’s many restaurants including its famous Grill Room, the three-Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse, and China Tang, often hailed as the best Chinese restaurant in town there’s the Artist’s Bar at the far end of The Promenade, where the focal point is Liberace’s mirrored Baldwin piano. And the hotel’s existing Vesper bar, with its own street entrance at the front of the hotel, part hommage to James Bond (Ian Fleming enjoyed a regular game of bridge at The Dorchester), has been restyled by wunderkind designer Martin Brudnizki.
With the first stage of the renovations finished, the refurbishment of rooms and suites is underway, to be completed by the end of March. If you want a traditional hotel in London, with all the bells and whistles but also a touch of whimsy and humor, then The Dorchester is the place for you.
Courtesy The Other House.
The Other House
Situated in South Kensington just yards from the handy Gloucester Road Tube station, The Other Place where each room, suite or club flat boasts its own kitchenette or kitchen was conceived as a place for longer stays, although an extended stay is not obligatory. They’ll gladly have you for the night, though cleverly the price drops incrementally the longer you stay.
First up, design here is key. It’s difficult to do paneled, dark and brooding while keeping the vibe hip and even sexy, but that’s what The Other House does so brilliantly. I love the zany library and the leaf-themed decorations, the rich upholstery and forest green, forest-scene wallpapers. And then there are the guest corridor carpets, chevrons of black, white and gold, which get to look a bit Alice in Wonderland if you stare too long. It’s all part of the fun.
But The Other House is certainly no exercise in style-over-substance. It’s essentially a practical place, with a serious though never preachy approach to sustainability. In the beautifully appointed, ergonomically-sound guest rooms and bathrooms, paper products are eschewed and amenities like (high-quality) soap and shampoo are provided in refillable containers.
The Other Kitchen, which staffers call a street caf, is open all day, and is a great meeting place. Moms and dads pop in after school drop-off and some stay all day on their laptops, so you have the sense of being a local. That’s the feeling, too, in the Owl & Monkey bar, open evenings only, where you can savor exceptionally good light bites, as well as a terrific Negroni made with The Lakes classic gin.
But the Other House’s pride and joy is its private members club, to which all in-house guests have access for the duration of their stay. With its swimming pool, sauna and steam rooms, conservatory sitting area and its wonderfully ornate, highly decorated members drawing room, this really feels like your home away from home in London. Plus, opening soon another Other House in London, this one in Covent Garden. I plan to be one of the first through the door.
For more, visit corinthia.com, dorchestercollection.com and otherhouse.com.
