Pausanias

The finest, sweetest water I have ever drunk was in the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in 1981. Firstly from a well located right in the middle of the cavea of the theatre at Leptis Magna. Secondly, the naturally flowing spring water which fed a fountain in the Graeco-Roman city of Cyrene. I think my idea of water changed right there.

The stupidest treatment of water was definitely at a rather nice hotel in France, Les Deux Abbesses, where the wine list was shorter than the water list.

Larry Siegel

To the OP: If you want a "British" luxury experience I'd recommend:

Claridge's
Connaught
Brown's
Lanesborough

? Draycott. This is a quirky upscale property in Sloane Square. I felt like I was in a 1930's British "public" (private) school movie.

vuittonsofstyle

I disagree. The Goring is probably the most British of experiences and, perhaps surprisingly, it is exceptionally good. The Lanesborough is stereotypical British - not the real thing at all. Brown's is good. The Connaught is OK. Claridge's no - famous for being famous IMHO.

CanfordCliffs

Hi guys, i am afraid i am going to have to disagree on Browns, tiny corridors, miserably tiny rooms and right opposite a mobile phone mast - if you dont mind that going through your head for the night...

We love the Langham but i would additionally recommend going for the Club lounge - Outstanding food, the best I have tried in any club lounge in London (so far). There were 5 or 6 mini mains to choose from and when one ran out it was immediately replaced. The quality was excellent and the spread was different every night.

Also has a pool, spa and the Roux Michelin restaurant. I have loads more info in my blog if you are still looking in London

Kettering Northants QC

slight error on your blog re The Langham. The Middleton family stayed at the Goring Hotel, not the Langham before the Wedding.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/a...-royal-wedding

MANCHESTER

I had a stay at the Shangri La at the Shard last week and thought I'd comment on it in this thread instead of starting a new one.

Needless to say, the building and views are very impressive. What pleased me was the polished service. Not quite to Connaught levels (which is my fav London hotel), but still very good. I was there with my 6 year old daughter and although I had to ask, they found kids bathrobes, armbands for the pool etc very quickly. Considering the pool only opened the day before, this impressed me. All service was quick and with a smile.

The room was nice, not amazing (and the blue carpet did NOT work at all!), but I was happy with it. Plenty of mod cons in the room, but all easy to work which is important for me!

F&B outlets were good, although we didn't use them much as we went out more.

All in all, a fun place to try and would happily stay again if the area was convenient, which it won't always be

CanfordCliffs

Oh goodness, dont go for Browns, we hated that. its so bad i only have 2 photos to remind us of the horror, tiny base rooms and even the suite has an ikea feel and its right in front of a telephone mast. We couldnt bear it and moved our planned stay back to the langham..

CanfordCliffs

Whoops, thankyou- you know the langham retweeted our article - they didnt correct us?!

but thankyou i now feel rather silly!

Pierre&Cédric

We enjoyed each one of our stays at FSPL and they have very nice suites, BUT there is no swimming pool. This is why we moved to the Bvlgari. It is now our favourite city hotel. Their Spa is fabulous and all amenities are nice (cinema, rooms for private events, etc.).

CanfordCliffs

Also i have to add the location is perfect (nobu steps away, theo randalls in the iC next door) plus harvey nics and harrods are walkable from here through the park.

i am not sure if money being no object i would also consider the mandarin oriental that has a pool a club lounge and is even closer to the shopping...

speedbird001

I would avoid the Savoy. It is not in the same league as the top hotels. How about Claridges, the Connaught or The Dorchester?

grumbler

No to the Dorchester and Claridges. Yes to the Connaught. Don't understand the hateon for Brown's - very good service, understated modern rooms (just because there isn't chintz doesn't mean it is Ikea), and what is this mobile phone tower that a poster refers to ? I have never seen it.

FlyerEC

While we have not returned to Brown' s for years , we had decent sized rooms & good service .

We thoroughly enjoyed our recent stay at The Halkin . Easy stroll to Sloane , Harvey Nics , Hyde Park , etc even on the hot days we had , Indian summer indeed .
Was in a very well appointed garden facing suite . Dined at Ametsa , their Basque restaurant . This was where breakfast was served but we were too tired to venture down . We also relaxed in the tiny but adequate bar lounge after check out for light lunch & dessert ( room service menu ) .
Room service was efficient .
Viewed other rooms / suites . They were all beautifully done with varying layouts / floor plans .
Will be a delight to return to this friendly hotel with a reliable concierge team too .

CanfordCliffs

look up from the back of the hotel. we were offered a suite on the top floor because of our bad experience- very kind- and right opposite the aerial. We turned it down. The aerial is to the back of hotel on the roof of the opposite building. i know this wouldn't bother most people but it is something that concerns me in such a close proximity.

Couldnt fault the staff, the doorman was very cockeney geezer and they were all very pleasant. but i found the original room we got depressing and small, and VERY noisy from people in the corridor and the road. I also found the dingy corridors, cheap carpets alittle depressing.

This is my opinion though and i appreciate not everyone will agree like i said, cant fault staff and the location, but i will not be returning.

flyertalker00156

Not Browns that is for sure…

The Goring, Claridge's or The Connaught. Also recently had Afternoon Tea at The Savoy and was very impressed. Have not had a chance to stay there yet but it is my next to try...