Tag Archives: Best Hotels London

The Connaught Hotel. London, UK

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From the moment you arrive to The Connaught Hotel in London, the staff sweeps you off your feet and into a chair by the fireplace with a cup of tea. As soon as you enter the lobby you feel as if you’ve been transported to a grandeur and more modern version of Downtown Abbey. The glam of the 1920’s London is still very apparent in the overall theme of the hotel. Each room at The Connaught is fit for a prince or princess, but the Signature Suites are le crème de la crème!

If you have the resources (cough cough enough money), the best suite in the hotel (and maybe London) is The Apartment. Through two giant blue wooden doors is this 3,068 sq. ft haven. The suite comes complete with two bedrooms, adorned with four-poster king beds, vaulted ceilings, and a 24-hour butler. The suite also comes with a living room + fireplace, dining room for up to 8 guests, and large wrap around balcony with the best views in London. If you are a local, don’t worry, you can rent it out for a birthday party, cocktail party or even a staycation.

After the butler has taken you to your very chic room and unpacked your clothes for you, head down to the Tea Room for fresh scones and mouth-watering pastries. Or, if tea is not your thing, substitute tea for some afternoon champagne in the hotel’s own champagne room, the rosé is fabulous! If you’re looking for a snack or informal meal check out Espelette, the décor and fine foods with surely give you the energy to take a walk around the beautiful neighborhood of Mayfair. After your walk, have dinner at Hélène Darroze’s two Michelin-starred restaurant. Expect expressive French cuisine and hand picked fresh ingredients, it is a culinary experience you won’t want to miss.

Another amazing aspect of The Connaught is their Aman Spa, the only one of its kind in London. They emphasize tranquility and rejuvenation. I recommend the Spa Signature Treatment: Inspired by Thailand, it will leave you detoxified and energized. After you’ve been detoxified, head to The Connaught bar to be re-toxified. The Connaught has a refined and rare selection of whiskies. They offer whisky and bespoke chocolate tasting for the brave, or talk to Agostino Perrone, the master behind the mix. A world-renowned bartender, his expertise will shake you up the perfect cocktail for whatever mood you are in. Without a doubt, The Connaught is a unique hotel guided to making your stay as classy as classy gets.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Number Sixteen. London, UK

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One of my favorite discoveries during my rapid getaway to London was hotel Number 16. To pedestrians, this white-stucco Victorian terrace appears to be an upscale home to some Londoner, and not a quiet boutique hotel.

Enter the hotel’s warm and inviting lobby where guests can escape from the commotion of busy London town. Each of the hotel’s 41 rooms are individually decorated to make a stay at hotel Number 16 unlike that of any other. The décor is just the right mix of contemporary-chic and classic English, making for an aesthetically pleasing experience. Rooms vary in size and some even offer a private courtyard overlooking the property’s meticulously kept gardens.

Although the hotel has no restaurant, they serve afternoon tea in the garden, and have a simple yet yummy room service menu. The drawing room and library are the perfect common area for guests looking to unwind after a day exploring the city. Whether you are curled up by the fire with a cup of tea or enjoying a cocktail at the hotel’s honor bar, hotel patrons have the perfect balance of cozy and chic.

Also located in South Kensington, guests are closely situated to the tube station that connects to major travel hubs like Heathrow and Paddington Station. And for guests looking to explore the area, London ‘hotspots’ like Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Harrods and the Natural History museum are all within walking distance of the hotel.

When it came time for my stay to end, I was devastated leaving this London gem. But good news is, there will be plenty more trips to London which means, plenty of more stays at Number 16.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

The Blakes Hotel. London, UK

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During my journey to London, I searched the city high and low for new hotels to add to the Posh Voyage London guide. Through my travels, I discovered The Blakes Hotel- an incredibly unique property located between South Kensington and Chelsea.

The Blakes Hotel made its grand opening in the late 1970’s as one of the first boutique hotels. Where Asian-chic meets classic British design, the decor is eccentric and unlike that of any hotel in London. Rooms are individually themed- ranging from British Raj to Egyptian paradise-which makes for an exceptional stay.

Although the Blakes is located in the quiet residential area of South Kensington, guests are just seconds away from the hustle-and-bustle of London’s hip area, Chelsea. A five-minute stroll can take you to the stylist Brompton Cross where stores range from individual boutiques to high-end department stores like Harrod’s. In addition, the Blakes is closely located to some of London’s most famous recreational areas like Hyde Park or the Kensington Gardens.

Once you finish exploring the hotel, be sure to make a reservation at the Blakes restaurant for a dinning experience that mixes Thai cuisine with Mediterranean tapas. The walls of this stylist restaurant are lined with exotic bird feathers from regions like the rainforest of South America. But the highlight of my stay was afternoon tea in the Japanese Garden where guests are offered a variety of teatime classics like scones, petit fours and cucumber sandwiches accompanied with a wide-selection of teas.

Thus, for an unforgettable stay in London, be sure to check out the Blakes Hotel!

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.