Luxury hotel reviews in London
Feb 26, 2014, 3:29 pm
#166
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: We love to Fly, Hotels and Discovery
Posts: 1,471
Oh, don't mention it. I appreciate you taking the time. I really would like ot dig up the motivation to post more on my stays.
I highly recommend Browns. Right in Mayfair, nicely updated rooms, great service. Very consistent. I will be there in a couple weeks, will try and do a little report and photos for you.
Fantastic pictures as well of The Berkeley.
I highly recommend Browns. Right in Mayfair, nicely updated rooms, great service. Very consistent. I will be there in a couple weeks, will try and do a little report and photos for you.
Fantastic pictures as well of The Berkeley.
I can't wait to read your review about the Browns, plus your photos too.
Thanks again. Safe travels and enjoy your stay. ^
Mar 1, 2014, 3:28 pm
#167
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Taiwan
Programs: UA, CX, BR
Posts: 718
fun n games at Claridge's
according to the NYTimes:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/02/bu...pgtype=article
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/02/bu...pgtype=article
Mar 1, 2014, 4:00 pm
#168
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ORF
Posts: 1,740
according to the NYTimes:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/02/bu...pgtype=article
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/02/bu...pgtype=article
Mar 10, 2014, 7:24 am
#169
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: We love to Fly, Hotels and Discovery
Posts: 1,471
Jan. / Feb. 2014 Pret-a-Portea @ the Caramel Room || Berkeley Hotel || London:
Having heard so many good things about the Pret-a-Portea at The Berkeley we decided to try it while we were staying there.
See also our review.
The tea was served at the Caramel Room, which was designed by Alexandra Champalimaud. We booked online at the hotel's website ca. 4 weeks before. We were lucky seatings were still available on Friday afternoon, but Saturday and Sunday were already booked out.
We chose consciousiously the seating at 16.30 hours, because we were checking out at the Intercontinental Park Lane (see also review) the same day and wanted to make sure we could check in at The Berkeley, photograph the room and make ourselves fresh. It was perfectly timed.
The Pret-a-Portea was originally created in 2005 to bring in shoppers from the surrounding Knightsbridge/Mayfair area. It was only planned to be temporary, but the tea was such a success it stayed for good.
As the name suggests Pret-a-Portea is fashion inspired, so there is a spring/summer and autumn/winter "collection".
We had to wait a bit before our table was ready. There was a name sign in the shape of a pink high heel marking it.
We had a table in the middle of the room.
The clientele was international.
Our waitress explained to us how the afternoon tea functioned since it was our first time we took part. We could have from everything second or more helpings and we could even try different teas or have refills. We were also asked for any food intolerances or allergies.
We chose Amazing Apple and Pear Caramel Tea. One of us enjoyed also a glass of Laurent Perrier Rose Champagne.
The china was designed by Paul Smith - a perfect fit to the exhibition ["Hello, My Name is Paul Smith"] we did visit at the Design Museum during our stay at the Berkeley Hotel.
First arrived the sandwiches - all were fantastic and since they were so tasty we asked for another round of the egg and ham sandwiches. They were our favourites.
One bread type was especially unusual it was made with beetroot. Another one was lemon flavoured. The shapes were round and squared.
Next were the savouries - no scones - BBQ roast duck tartlets, goats cheese, chilled water cress soup, chestnut panna cotta and marinated sword fish.
Everything was great. The chilled water cress soup and the goats cheese were our favourites.
The highlight was of course the sweets. There was a Burberry Trench Coat, a Giovanni Rossi over the knee boot ginger bread, an Emporio Armani and Jean Paul Gaultier inspired cream/mousse, a Saint Laurent Victoria Sponge Cake bag, a Vivienne Westwood macaroon, a Miu Miu Polka Dot Jaconde and Gianduia Mousse, a Giles Sacher Torte and an Oscar de la Renta Orange Bavarois. All was decadent, creative and full in flavour.
Stand outs were the Emporio Armani violet cassis mousse with light Curacao jelly and the Jean Paul Gaultier gold quilted banana and caramel cremeaux and passion fruit compote.
It was amazing and we were totally spoiled, getting second helpings from everything and even though we said we were fine the staff double checked there wasn't really a need for third servings. It was the most generous afternoon tea we ever had.
The staff was always there when needed, engaging and passionate - finding just the right balance between being professional and warm, but discreet. You could see they enjoyed what they were doing and seemed sad to see us go.
We received two little carton handbags filled with a few more goodies as present before leaving.
Cost was 108 GBP (ca. 130.50 Euro / ca. 180.80 USD) including service charge - time and money well spent.
We would recommend the Pret-a-Portea highly. It's unique, tasty and inspirational.
Would we recommend this Afternoon Tea to a friend? YES!^
Would we again partake at this Afternoon Tea in the future? YES!^
Thank you and safe travels.
Having heard so many good things about the Pret-a-Portea at The Berkeley we decided to try it while we were staying there.
See also our review.
The tea was served at the Caramel Room, which was designed by Alexandra Champalimaud. We booked online at the hotel's website ca. 4 weeks before. We were lucky seatings were still available on Friday afternoon, but Saturday and Sunday were already booked out.
We chose consciousiously the seating at 16.30 hours, because we were checking out at the Intercontinental Park Lane (see also review) the same day and wanted to make sure we could check in at The Berkeley, photograph the room and make ourselves fresh. It was perfectly timed.
The Pret-a-Portea was originally created in 2005 to bring in shoppers from the surrounding Knightsbridge/Mayfair area. It was only planned to be temporary, but the tea was such a success it stayed for good.
As the name suggests Pret-a-Portea is fashion inspired, so there is a spring/summer and autumn/winter "collection".
We had to wait a bit before our table was ready. There was a name sign in the shape of a pink high heel marking it.
We had a table in the middle of the room.
The clientele was international.
Our waitress explained to us how the afternoon tea functioned since it was our first time we took part. We could have from everything second or more helpings and we could even try different teas or have refills. We were also asked for any food intolerances or allergies.
We chose Amazing Apple and Pear Caramel Tea. One of us enjoyed also a glass of Laurent Perrier Rose Champagne.
The china was designed by Paul Smith - a perfect fit to the exhibition ["Hello, My Name is Paul Smith"] we did visit at the Design Museum during our stay at the Berkeley Hotel.
First arrived the sandwiches - all were fantastic and since they were so tasty we asked for another round of the egg and ham sandwiches. They were our favourites.
One bread type was especially unusual it was made with beetroot. Another one was lemon flavoured. The shapes were round and squared.
Next were the savouries - no scones - BBQ roast duck tartlets, goats cheese, chilled water cress soup, chestnut panna cotta and marinated sword fish.
Everything was great. The chilled water cress soup and the goats cheese were our favourites.
The highlight was of course the sweets. There was a Burberry Trench Coat, a Giovanni Rossi over the knee boot ginger bread, an Emporio Armani and Jean Paul Gaultier inspired cream/mousse, a Saint Laurent Victoria Sponge Cake bag, a Vivienne Westwood macaroon, a Miu Miu Polka Dot Jaconde and Gianduia Mousse, a Giles Sacher Torte and an Oscar de la Renta Orange Bavarois. All was decadent, creative and full in flavour.
Stand outs were the Emporio Armani violet cassis mousse with light Curacao jelly and the Jean Paul Gaultier gold quilted banana and caramel cremeaux and passion fruit compote.
It was amazing and we were totally spoiled, getting second helpings from everything and even though we said we were fine the staff double checked there wasn't really a need for third servings. It was the most generous afternoon tea we ever had.
The staff was always there when needed, engaging and passionate - finding just the right balance between being professional and warm, but discreet. You could see they enjoyed what they were doing and seemed sad to see us go.
We received two little carton handbags filled with a few more goodies as present before leaving.
Cost was 108 GBP (ca. 130.50 Euro / ca. 180.80 USD) including service charge - time and money well spent.
We would recommend the Pret-a-Portea highly. It's unique, tasty and inspirational.
Would we recommend this Afternoon Tea to a friend? YES!^
Would we again partake at this Afternoon Tea in the future? YES!^
Thank you and safe travels.
Mar 11, 2014, 11:32 pm
#170
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 68
Mar 12, 2014, 7:10 am
#172
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ORF
Posts: 1,740
It's a perfectly fine hotel, and the room cost is in line with all the better places in town. It's just a put on in terms of ambiance.
Mar 17, 2014, 5:56 am
#174
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,225
We recently stayed at 45 Park Lane over Valentines Day weekend. It was our first stay at the property and we had an amazing stay in a Park Lane Suite. No experience of spa treatments but we tried using the spa at the Dorchester and I wasn't impressed. The changing rooms are dark and dingy. Also, all the facilities apart from the 'relaxation room' were separate so there was no point in using them. I went and 'relaxed' in our suite instead!
Mar 17, 2014, 8:17 am
#175
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
I know - I think this is a real pity as Il Ristorante had some of the best Italian cuisine in London - very authentic indeed. It was my favourite part of the hotel!
Mar 17, 2014, 8:19 am
#176
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
Mar 17, 2014, 8:49 am
#177
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,007
Mar 17, 2014, 8:53 am
#178
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
They are literally right across from each other (separated by a very small low traffic street- I would call it a lane). If however you don't want to deal with that- then the Connaught option is an excellent one as it is in the area and has a great spa (although small). Four Seasons is also just next door (two hotels down) and has a very nice spa on the top floor following their recent updates.
Mar 17, 2014, 12:16 pm
#179
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,523
Mar 17, 2014, 12:22 pm
#180
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,946