Review: Claridge's

Why book?

One of the best hotels on earth, the stuff of legend. There’s simply nothing else like it. No other hotel combines the storied grandeur, the art deco stylish decor, the roster of legendary visitors, and that afternoon tea. A peep into its lobby will seduce even those with an aversion to old-school grandeur. This is a place that wears its grandeur lightly and keeps things classic yet modern.

Set the scene

The lobby still captures the art deco glamor of the Jazz Age when flapper girls once hobnobbed with European royalty. You feel an instant buzz on entering its chequered-floor expanse, frequented by an international motley crew of flower-tossing brides, Hollywood stars, and business visitors catching up over Paper Plane cocktails in the Thirties-style Fumoir bar nearby.

The backstory

After starting life as a terraced house hotel in 1812 it was bought by Mr and Mrs Claridge, and later sold to the founder of the Savoy hotel in 1894. During the 1920s it became an English institution, attracting royalty and Hollywood stars. Apparently during World War II, when a number of European monarchs were living in exile in London, people would ring up the hotel’s switchboard and ask to be put through to the king. To which the operator replied: ‘Which one?’

The rooms

The 269 rooms and suites come in traditional or art deco style. The smallest category, the superior queen rooms, come in with mellow tones and geometric lines, and face either courtyard or Brook Street. All rooms have Dyson supersonic hairdryers and free wifi.

The suites feature balconies overlooking Brook Street. In the 210-square-meter Georgian suite, Michelle Wu has devised an impeccable meld of Victorian heritage with a light touch of chinoiserie. There’s a Steinberg baby grand piano in the living room, embroidered silk de Gournay panels in the dining room, a fully-equipped kitchen and a 24-hour butler. Claridge’s expansion into the neighboring building created space for suites such as the Mayfair where interiors maestro Bryan O’Sullivan has infused his modern style through scalloped-shaped, mohair furniture in coral and pastel green palettes. The marble bathroom toilets are all-singing, all-dancing affairs, with jet sprays and heated seats.

Food

Culinary Director Simon Attridge oversees a reassuring, something-for-everyone range of European classics at the two main eateries, Claridges Restaurant and The Foyer, which are destination restaurants. Dishes range from caviar or rock oysters (teamed with cranberry, spiced pumpkin and classic sauces) to Dover sole meunière, Cornish lobster bisque, black truffle arancini, seared scallop, loin of venison and chocolate bombs for dessert.

The Afternoon Tea’s world-famous reputation is still deserved. Savory and sweet, from smoked salmon sandwiches to sweet pastries and scones accompanied by Rodda’s Cornish clotted cream. The tea itself—hand-picked from across the world, and hand-prepared—includes bespoke Claridge’s blends prepared by Henrietta Lovell of the Rare Tea Company.

The new ArtSpace Café, designed by John Pawson, has its own dedicated entrance on Brook’s Mews. It serves breakfast and salads until 3pm, plus toasties, crêpes, sandwiches, pastries and artisan coffee. As its name suggests, there’s also a gallery of rotating exhibitions

Drinks

Forget about the world outside and lose yourself in the cosy, darkwood interiors of the 1930s-style Fumoir while sipping on their vintage, signature cocktails amid atmospherically dim lighting. And if the Fumoir is full, there’s Claridge’s Bar which serves spirits and rare champagnes.

Neighborhood/area

Quiet Mayfair scores nil points for cool and trendy, but those wanting a chocolate-box vision of London full of elegant Georgian townhouses, refined restaurants and Savile Row shops can get their full fix here. The Connaught and Berkeley hotels, both run by the same outfit, the Maybourne Hotel Group, are nearby.

The service

From the concierge to the toilet attendants, happiness radiates from the impeccably trained staff who exude an easy friendliness as if they’re greeting old friends, not guests.

Spa

Not content with growing sideways, Claridges has also dug deep—120 feet to be precise—to impress guests with its gorgeous, 7,000 square-foot subterranean spa. Designed by André Fu, its limewood and stone textures and dreamy peachy hues are the backdrop for signature bamboo-stick massages and Cryo Oxygen Shot facials in one of its seven treatment rooms. Visitors get to wear floral pink kimonos, and there’s also a sauna, steam rooms, changing rooms and a spacious fitness centre. The swimming pool ripples beneath a vaulted ceiling and is surrounded by stone columns and cushy cabanas. The fitness centre is well-equipped and spacious.

Eco effort

There are the small but vital protocols such as no longer cleaning bed linens and towels daily (guests are asked if and when they want them laundered). No single-use plastic cutlery or glassware is used on our site. Unused guest toiletries are decanted for use in staff changing rooms. Claridges also works with The Felix Project to donate all unconsumed food to charities, schools and food banks.

Accessibility

The few steps at the entrance are surmountable in a wheelchair but there’s also a ramp to the right. The restaurant, bar and reception areas are all flat, and there is elevator access to all floors. Many bathrooms have adaptable features, including shower seating.

Anything left to mention?

This is one of the greatest hotels you’ll ever experience. Even if you can’t afford a room, it’s worth just stepping into the lobby to observe and inhale the fabulousness.