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Breakfast, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, London

A Luxury Stay at Belgraves Hotel London

September 1, 2014 by cheriecity

Belgraves, a Thompson Hotel is a stunning design hotel in the heart of London’s chic Belgravia.

It’s the only hotel outside of the US and Canada by hip lifestyle brand Thompson Hotels. While many Thompson hotels are all about downtown cool, Belgraves adds a youthful vibe to a sophisticated, well-heeled neighbourhood.

Location

Its surroundings are postcard pretty (think pastel-coloured townhouses and private gardens) and the hotel is just a short walk from Chelsea, Knightbridge and the designer stores of Sloane Street. It’s also in immediate company of high end boutiques such as Anya Hindmarch Bespoke, Emilia Wickstead, Christian Louboutin, Pretty Ballerinas, Pierre Hermé Paris and Rococo Chocolates.

We visited Belgraves for a weekend staycation on a hot summer’s day (stepping into the air-conditioned lobby was a welcome relief). Designed by acclaimed British interior designer Tara Bernerd, the towering hotel is contemporary with rich tones and just a dash of English eccentricity.

The Room

Our King Premium Room on a high floor had a cool loft feel and was long and spacious. It’s designed in shades of grey and cream with purple-burgundy highlights and features a light oak hardwood floor covered with a luxurious patterned rug.

There are typical Thompson signatures such as a stylish metal beaded curtain, cream leather ergonomic chair by the desk and 400-count Sferra bed linen with purple vertical stripes. There is also a stunning bespoke Ralph Lauren mirror above the bed, a large LCD flat-screen TV, minibar and iHome dock and alarm clock.

My favourite part of the room was the bay window with a plush purple-burgundy banquette offering fabulous views over the park and elegant Belgravia. It’s like a peaceful hideaway which you can separate off with sheer curtains. It also features a coffee table and has an electrical plug, so you can work on your laptop or just enjoy some quiet reading time.

Tea and coffee making facilities are on a list of ‘available on request’ complimentary amenities and I highly recommend calling down to receive them. While sachets of Nescafe aren’t particularly exciting, we were delighted by the selection of black and herbal JING Teas.

The king-size bed with a leather headboard was ever so comfortable and was covered in sumptuous Sferra linen and plump pillows.

A Welcome Treat

We were welcomed with a handwritten note and a lovely sweet treat of a handmade marshmallow and chocolate-dipped meringue. Stationary addicts won’t be able to resist the gorgeous bespoke correspondence paper and envelopes provided – a small detail that really sets Belgraves apart.

The Bathroom

The full marble bathroom is stylish and luxurious, with a powerful walk-in rain shower, plenty of high quality towels, oversized Frette terrycloth robes, black Thompson-branded slippers and a full set of bathroom amenities by REN. It has a slightly open-plan feel with sliding wooden doors and only the metal beaded curtain covering the glass-walled shower.

Breakfast at Pont St

In the morning, breakfast is served in Pont St, the hotel’s attractive restaurant overseen by executive chef Sophie Michell. It’s a comfortable spot with a pretty tiled floor, cosy leather banquettes by the windows and counters laden with cakes and macarons.

Health-conscious guests will be tempted by the Belgrave’s superfood, dairy free almond quinoa porridge, Avocado smashed on rye bread toast or a ‘create your own’ fruit and vegetable juice.

For something more indulgent Pont St hits it out of the park with Crab cakes Benedict with jalapeno Hollandaise, Bubble and squeak patties with poached eggs, black pudding, streaky bacon, watercress and home-made chutney and Cinnamon French toast with caramelised apples.

We went for the Continental Buffet, which was done exceedingly well with a generous amount of gourmet treats. Highlights were the delicious spelt banana bread, flaky pain au chocolat and farm-style blueberry yoghurt. I never usually eat cold cuts for breakfast, but the house roasted honey glazed ham infused with juniper flavours was out of this world.

Pont St’s lunch and dinner menus also sound tempting and in the warmer months, there’s a small outdoor terrace. Guests can also get outdoors with an Urban Picnic freshly prepared by Sophie Michell and made up of grazing dishes such as saffron and buttermilk chicken skewers and strawberry and pink peppercorn tarts, rounded off with spritz cocktails.

The Bar

Like other Thompson hotels, there’s a cool lounge scene and the open-plan mezzanine is sectioned into different socialising areas. The snug is an intimate space with an open fireplace, a plush cashmere sofa and Persian carpets, while the Bar has a speakeasy vibe and features an absinthe fountain.

The Terrace

Adjoining the Bar is the Terrace where you can indulge in vintage Cuban cigars, creative cocktails and tempting bar bites such as Lobster Rolls, Sliders and Ice Cream Sandwiches. It has a retractable roof, heaters and wifi connection for the the ultimate comfort, even when the sun’s not shining.

The hotel doesn’t have a spa (only a small fitness room), but guests can take advantage of a special day rate at nearby Grace Belgravia, a chic private club for health and wellbeing.

Belgraves is the kind of hotel that I would happily return to and recommend again and again – not just for the sleek design but for its homely atmosphere. The staff are so friendly and attentive, particularly the charming breakfast staff which can be rare in the hotel world. With such a fabulous location and excellent facilities, Belgraves should be the place you call home for your next stay in London.

Room rates at Belgraves, A Thompson Hotel start from £299 plus VAT per night for a King Superior Room.

Chérie City was a guest of Belgraves, A Thompson Hotel

All photos by Chérie City

Afternoon tea, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, London

A Great Afternoon Tea at The Halkin Hotel London

October 22, 2013 by cheriecity

To celebrate The Halkin’s new afternoon tea, in association with JING Tea, I enjoyed a leisurely afternoon of tea tasting, cakes and poetry.

Located on Belgravia’s chic West Halkin Street, the petite boutique hotel by COMO has a calm atmosphere, with its unique blend of minimalist Asian and Milanese design. While the hotel’s one Michelin star restaurant Ametsa with Arzak Instruction attracts a dedicated foodie crowd in the evenings, The Halkin Bar is a great spot for a refined afternoon tea.

Britain’s Tea Poet Elizabeth Darcy Jones began the tasting event with a new poem inspired by afternoon tea at The Halkin, dedicated to Executive Chef Sergi Sanz. Her descriptions of the joys of taking afternoon tea in The Halkin’s stylish surroundings and her animated, soothing voice set the tone for a relaxing afternoon tea.

We started by tasting a selection of exquisite JING teas, served in delicate glass orbs. JING Tea Creative Manager David Hepburn talked us through the character and origins of the teas as we tasted cups of White Peony, Oolong and Jasmine Pearl tea.

The Halkin’s new afternoon tea is timeless and classic, with tempting, beautifully-presented cakes. We were served a pot of fine, strong English Breakfast Tea, however a selection of JING loose leaf teas are available to accompany the afternoon tea.

We started with a selection of sandwiches including Scottish smoked salmon with salmon caviar and Basque spicy peppers, King prawns with watercress and cocktail dressing, Baby cucumber with cream cheese and chives and Confit corn-fed chicken breast with turmeric and spring onion.

The sandwiches were larger than the usual tiny finger sandwiches served in afternoon teas and filled with high quality ingredients. I particularly enjoyed the chicken and king prawn sandwiches, however, I usually prefer a few less sandwiches and the addition of a savoury item such as a mini quiche, wrap or tart.

The freshly-made scones were fluffy and warm, served with clotted cream and strawberry jam. My favourite cakes were the decadent, creamy Pistachio brownie with white chocolate and vanilla cream and the heavenly Raspberry and passionfruit macaroon, bursting with fresh raspberries and silky crème pâtissière.

The zesty Lemon meringue tartlet was perfectly bite-size and while I didn’t try the Opera cake due to my coffee allergy, it looked exemplary, finished with a pretty piece of chocolate ‘honeycomb’. The Mango, strawberry and mascarpone brew was fresh and light – great as a palate cleanser or a refreshing end to the tea.

Afternoon tea at The Halkin is ideal for a post-shopping refuel and the tranquil bar, with its cosy booths, gives it an intimate feel. Every part of the tea is light and flavoursome and the delectable cakes avoid being too sweet – a perfect afternoon treat.

The Halkin afternoon tea starts from £28 and is served in The Halkin Bar from 3pm to 5pm daily.

Chérie City was a guest of The Halkin

Photos by Chérie City and The Halkin

Afternoon tea, Hotels - Luxury, London

Winter Tea at The Goring

November 21, 2010 by cheriecity

This week I was invited to join The Goring’s centenary celebrations and sample their brand new Winter Tea.

Tucked away in prestigious Belgravia, The Goring is London’s oldest privately owned hotel, now run by Jeremy Goring, the fourth Goring at the helm of The Queen Mother’s favourite hotel.

Perfecting the quintessential English afternoon tea for 100 years, The Goring has been the proud bearer of the Tea Guild’s Award of Excellence for two years running. So of course, expectations were high!

The new Winter Tea is served in the Lounge and Terrace, a club-style lounge with warming log fire adjoining a classic yellow-hued salon overlooking the hotel’s private gardens.

We started by choosing a tea from The Goring’s extensive tea menu including a fragrant Earl Grey and delicate floral tea such as Jasmine or Rosebud tea.

I absolutely adored The Goring’s sunshine yellow and gold china and noticed that you can actually buy the dinner service in the reception.

Then came a large glass of The Goring’s special centenary Ayala champagne – a crisp, soft and rounded champagne that complemented the tea.

The tiered plates of treats began with a generous selection of finger sandwiches – egg mayonnaise with watercress, smoked salmon, coronation chicken, guinea fowl and wild mushroom.

The sandwiches are classic but with an interesting seasonal game addition of guinea fowl and wild mushroom.

These were followed by delicious, freshly baked fruit scones and plain scones served with clotted cream, strawberry and raspberry jam.

The real excitement came with the top tier of decadent pastries. My favourite was the bubblegum meringue – a delicate pastel pink meringue that cracked to reveal oozing vanilla pastry cream and really did taste just like bubblegum.

The peanut and chocolate caramel slice was creamy and delicious and the plum and almond tart showed off the talents of the pastry chefs.

Other scrumptious cakes included a home-made Jaffa Cake, hazelnut and jam sandwich and a festive mulled wine and pear jelly with cinnamon cream.

The Goring’s charm lies in maintaining its proud heritage matched with a warm family atmosphere, unpretentious but attentive service and a passion for high quality, seasonal food.

The Winter Tea at The Goring is the perfect balance between lavish teas at the palace hotels and the more contemporary fashion or themed teas – classic with an interesting twist.

The Goring’s Winter Tea is served from 3-5pm daily and is priced at £34 per person (£45 with a glass of Ayala).

The Winter Tea is available from November 2010 – February 2011 at The Goring, Beeston Place, London SW1W 0JW. To book a table, contact (020) 7396 9000.

* Chérie City was a guest of The Goring.