HAZLITT'S
Classic /
Charming /
£
Moderate
Hotel Promotional
Extract -Hazlitt’s
is perfectly located in Soho, in the heart of London’s cosmopolitan Theatreland,
with an intimate charm no large hotel can match. We are only a short stroll away
from Covent Garden, Piccadilly and Bond Street with designer boutiques. Oxford
and Regent Streets, Leicester Square and the Royal Opera House are close by. The
hotel occupies three historic Georgian houses in Frith Street, leading down from
Soho Square. In 1718 there were no elevators. There still aren’t, but we have
updated the plumbing, installed bathrooms and replaced most of the candles with
electricity. We offer civilised surroundings, old fashioned hospitality,
friendly efficient service, a location away from the roar of the traffic but
within a very short walk of the most important attractions.
|
Address |
6 Frith Street, Soho Square London W1D 3JA |
|
Telephone |
+44 (0) 20 7434 1771 |
|
Facsimile |
+44 (0) 20 7439 1524 |
|
Website |
www.hazlittshotel.com |
|
Email |
reservations@hazlitts.co.uk |
|
Rates |
Single Room £175 Double Room £205 to £265 Suite £300 |
|
Extras |
VAT - 17.5% Continental Breakfast
£9.75 |
At the premium end of
the market exist a number of the world’s most famous old grand hotels, many
so steeped in tradition that service can at times be staid and modern
conveniences lacking. In contrast, many of the stylish new premium design
hotels offer near to no service whatsoever, creating a pretentious
atmosphere whilst gently draining one’s bank account.
Of greater appeal to the
sophisticated traveller has been the significant growth throughout the last
decade of a vast number of premium privately owned boutique hotels, offering
unsurpassed levels of charm, intimacy and attention to detail. Only recently
has London progressed, albeit slowly, toward providing more moderately priced hotels, offering comparatively high levels of service and accommodation.
The genre best
characterised by the Zetter Hotel and Guesthouse West.
In selecting the
location of one’s hotel, consideration should be given to the intended
length of stay and attractions which are desired to be seen. London is an
enormous city and travelling is a must, be it via taxi, underground or bus.
There are benefits and pitfalls to be found when staying in any of London's
districts.
Knightsbridge is luxurious, expensive and distant from the city’s more
popular sites. Oxford Street is central, popular and unappealingly common.
Soho is vibrant, colourful and seedy at times. St. James and Mayfair offering
perhaps the greatest balance of centrality, scenic appeal, and a taste of
classic English class segregation.
A note as pertains to
pricing, most published rates are inclusive of a 10% to 15% service charge,
however, the British government imposes a VAT (value-added tax) that adds
17.5% to your bill. This is usually in addition to the published rate and it
is recommended to confirm the inclusive rate at the time of booking. One
should always seek to obtain a better rate than quoted list price. With the vast array of
accommodation available, the consumer still exerts some influence, this is
particularly relevant to first-class and deluxe hotels, whereas smaller
boutique accommodation is usually charged at a fixed rate.
London’s peak tourism
season falls from April through October, when accommodation options can be
limited. However, given the vast array of hotels, one should always be
assured of finding a comfortable room at last minute, provided of course you
are prepared to pay the premium. Demand on room availability is also greater
during certain trade shows, seasonal events, and royal occasions, for which
it is recommended to verify any such activities during the anticipated time
of travel.
Please be advised that
listed below are a considerably greater number of hotels than would
otherwise normally be recommended on the Sophisticated Traveller website, a
reflection of the vast number of quality hotels available throughout London.
It is recommended that to assist in narrowing the options one should select
first the location of intended stay and proceed forth with the accommodation
recommendations for that area.
COVENT GARDEN
HOTEL
Hotel Promotional
Extract -
Covent
Garden Hotel is situated in the heart of theatreland, and is just a short walk
to the Royal Opera House, Soho, and the city's business centre. The hotel is
surrounded by 21 theatres and London's best restaurants, bars, clubs and shops.
The hotel combines dramatically decorated interiors, superb service and the best
that modern design and technology has to offer.
There are 58 air-conditioned bedrooms and suites, each spacious and light mostly
with huge windows overlooking the rooftops of London. Each is individually
designed and appointed with a luxurious granite and mahogany bathroom with
double basins, separate walk-in shower, Miller Harris toiletries and heated
towel rails. Rooms offer the amenities a modern traveller requires such as a
large writing desk, safe, 2 line telephone, modem point, voice mail, cellular
telephone, mini bar, DVD and CD player. There is also high speed internet access
with VPN compatibility
|
Address |
10 Monmouth Street London WC2H
9HB |
|
Telephone |
+44 (0) 20 7806 1000 |
|
Facsimile |
+44 (0) 20 7806 1100 |
|
Website |
www.coventgardenhotel.co.uk
|
|
Email |
covent@firmdale.com
|
|
Rates |
Single / Double Room £225 to £320
Suite £370 to £995 |
|
Extras |
VAT - 17.5% |
It is fair to say that
no other great city offers such a bewildering and complex array of
accommodation choices as does London, however there is one underlying
certainty – exorbitant pricing. One should make concession to the fact that
reasonably priced translates as expensive, expensive means outrageous, and any
moderately priced accommodation will mostly be ghastly. Whilst there are a number
of exceptions, one should generally anticipate the worst.
NUMBER SIXTEEN
Hotel Promotional
Extract -
Number
Sixteen, which forms part of a mid Victorian white stucco terrace, is situated
in the heart of South Kensington, just steps away from the Victoria & Albert and
Natural History Museums as well as Harrods, Knightsbridge shopping and Hyde
Park. The area is filled with some of London's best and most interesting bars,
cafes and restaurants. It is a minute's walk to South Kensington underground,
which has direct lines to the West End, financial and theatre districts and
Heathrow Airport. The 42 bedrooms are individually designed in a fresh, modern
English style, each with beautiful views overlooking the private gardens or
Sumner Place. Every room is perfectly appointed with a mini bar, safe, telephone
with voice mail, modem point, high speed internet access, VCR and writing desk.
SANDERSON
Hotel Promotional
Extract -
A
lavish "Urban Spa" in the heart of London’s West End, Sanderson offers a retreat
from the bustle of the city into a world of fantasy and wellbeing. The
landmarked 50s building has been transformed by Philippe Starck into a surreal
Cocteau-like dreamworld with a lushly landscaped interior courtyard garden, Suka,
a restaurant by Zac Pelaccio, and the extensive facilities of the renowned Agua
Spa. Sanderson epitomizes a “new luxury” that is smart, pared down, and tempered
with a healthy dose of wit and irony – in short, a hotel with modern sex appeal.
|
Address |
50 Berners Street London, England W1T 3NG |
|
Telephone |
+44 (0) 20 7300 1400 |
|
Facsimile |
+44 (0) 20 7300 1401 |
|
Website |
www.sandersonlondon.com |
|
Email |
sanderson@morganshotelgroup.com
|
|
Rates |
Single Room £255 to £598
Double Room £620 to £752 Suite £520 to £2,925 |
|
Extras |
Breakfast £25 Parking £43 VAT - 17.5% |
Review -
Pretentious,
disproportionately expensive and representative of a design cliché that seems to
have dated prior to its inception. The Sanderson portrays an image of being a
little to cool for its own good, its inclusion amongst our recommendations
serves as much an acknowledgment of its general recognition as one of London's
'in' hotels as much as it does a warning to discerning travellers who will
expect more at this price point than the Sanderson seems capable of offering.
Such notable failings include the gaudy lifts with sci-fi lighting, open plan
rooms with bathrooms separated by a an apparent cheap plastic screen, and to top
it off, a large framed picture secured to the ceiling above the bed -
overwhelmingly tasteless. Despite this, the Sanderson continues to attract a hip
and needless to say wealthy clientele, the bar in particular is a fashionable
meeting spot amongst London's perceived elite. Think Stanley Kubrick's 'A
Clockwork Orange', the obvious conceptual inspiration, so perfectly executed
that staying at the Sanderson can be greatly unsettlingat times, much like the
movie. For the corporate account only.
ST MARTINS LANE
Hotel Promotional
Extract -
From
its dazzling location at the hub of Covent Garden, West End theatres and
Trafalgar Square, St Martins Lane is a dramatic and daring reinvention of the
urban resort. Smart, witty and sophisticated, Philippe Starck’s design is a
brilliant collision of influences - from the modern to the baroque - that
suffuses the hotel with energy, vitality and magic. Unique features include the
acclaimed Asia de Cuba restaurant, wildly popular Light Bar, and interactive
light displays in every Guest Room that encourage guests to personalize their
own individual space, and help to turn the hotel into a beautiful and ever
changing mosaic of color.
Review -
Another member of the
the Morgan's Hotel Group, and as such representing a strong operating and design
unison with its sister hotel, the Sanderson, albeit somewhat more moderately
priced. So much of both these hotel's accommodation experience is attributable
to Phillip Starck's overly formulated design philosophy, where form massacres
function. One can simply not imagine such hotels as these to be operating in
twenty years time, there existence a pretentious fad that already feels dated.
To be fair, the rooms of St. Martins are actually rather comfortable, those
higher up providing a pleasing panorama. Notable also is the hotels excellent
restaurant, Asia de Cuba, where both the food and service are excellent and a
bottle of still water costs
£12. It seems fair to
say that much of the hotel's clientele could be deemed high maintenance with a
predisposition towards the wearing of mainstream designer labels, predominantly
displayed so as to ensure recognition. Ultimately recommended for short stays on
the corporate account, the location being excellent, within close proximity to
many of London's more stylish attractions.
THE HALKIN
Hotel Promotional
Extract -
The
Halkin is a sanctuary, a discreet address on a discreet street in London's
Belgravia, located at the heart of this lively capital. Here, discover the
essence of the COMO five-star experience quiet glamour, poised service, chic
interiors. The Halkin's style is timeless, a gentle ode to classicism combined
with urbane Italian aesthetics. Nahm, the Halkin's restaurant, is
Michelin-starred - avant-garde, tantalizing, with sophisticated Thai cuisine by
award-winning chef, David Thompson. But it is the intangible elements we strive
to fulfill. This is a place to relax and be waited on, to sleep and feel
invigorated, to eat and be satiated. A place to return to, again and again.
|
Address |
Halkin Street London SW1X 7DJ |
|
Telephone |
+44 (0) 20 7333 1000 |
|
Facsimile |
+44 (0) 20 7333 1100 |
|
Website |
www.halkin.como.bz |
|
Email |
res@halkin.como.bz
|
|
Rates |
Double Room £350 to £425 Suite £550 to £1,250 |
|
Extras |
VAT - 17.5% |
THE PELHAM
Classic /
Charming /
£
Moderate
Hotel Promotional
Extract -
The Pelham is a
luxurious townhouse situated in the heart of bustling, cosmopolitan South
Kensington. It is just steps away from the Victoria & Albert and Natural
History museums and Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Hyde Park and the sophisticated
shops of Knightsbridge and Brompton Cross. The hotel is situated a short walk
from the underground station and both Heathrow and Gatwick international
airports are easily accessible by car or train.
There are 50 bedrooms. Each room is air conditioned and has been individually
designed and decorated in the grand English country house style. Every room is
fully equipped with a writing desk, 2 line telephone, high speed internet
access, modem point, voice mail, VCR, fully stocked mini bar, hairdryer and
terry cloth robes. Bathrooms are beautifully designed in granite and mahogany
with a large tub, American standard shower and heated towel rails.
|
Address |
15 Cromwell Place London SW7
2LA |
|
Telephone |
+44 (0) 20 7589 8288 |
|
Facsimile |
+44 (0) 20 7584 8444 |
|
Website |
www.firmdale.com |
|
Email |
pelham@firmdale.com |
|
Rates |
Single / Double Room £170 to £260
Suite £550 to £750 |
|
Extras |
VAT - 17.5% |
THE PORTOBELLO
Classic /
Charming /
£
Sensible
Hotel Promotional
Extract -
On a quiet street in Notting Hill, stands
this converted neo-classical mansion. It hardly looks like a hotel, yet it
enjoys a worldwide reputation as the most exclusive hideaway hotel in London.
For close to a
quarter of a century, it has played host to the world of music, show business
and fashion, great name have made it their second home. The Portobello Hotel was
founded in 1971, by Tim and Cathy Herring, designed by Julie Hodgess and is run
by managing partner Johnny Ekperigin, along with the equally famous Julie's
restaurant. At the Portobello Hotel you are only paces away from the hectic
hustle of the famed Portobello antiques market and the exceptionally cool
shopping scenes of Westbourne Grove and Clarendon Cross, with some of London's
most innovative and famous boutiques, bars, cafes and restaurants.
|
Address |
22 Stanley Gardens
London W11 2NG |
|
Telephone |
+44 (0) 20 7727 2777 |
|
Facsimile |
+44 (0)20 7792 9641 |
|
Website |
www.portobello-hotel.co.uk |
|
Email |
info@portobellohotel.com |
|
Rates |
Single Room £142 to £208 Double Room £190 to £452
Apartment £385 to £562 |
|
Extras |
VAT - 17.5% Complimentary Continental Breakfast |
