Frommer's Review
That once-fading 1812 beauty has experienced a $75-million rebirth, and its staid image has changed. Dynasty diva Joan Collins may have staged her latest marriage here, but now Kate Moss is spotted in the hip bar, Elizabeth Hurley strolls through the lobby, and Gordon Ramsay -- Britain's most talked-about and controversial chef (and also its best) -- is loud-mouthing it in the kitchen and swinging sharp knives for the benefit of the cameras. What would Queen Victoria have said about his foul tongue and fiery temper? She might also have been amazed at the Arab influence: sheiks from the Middle East send their wives to stay here when on shopping expeditions in London.
If you want to live in the total lap of luxury, at an even tonier address than The Connaught and The Dorchester, make it Claridge's. Though renovations have been extensive, much of the Art Deco style of the 1930s remains, and you'll expect Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to emerge, dancing, at any minute. There are other distinctive styles here as well, ranging from modern to neoclassical, and the hotel's strong sense of tradition and old-fashioned "Britishness" are intact, in spite of the gloss and the hip clientele. Stand anywhere in any of the halls, and you'll find it easy to imagine the Duke of Windsor striding through the halls, trailed by his two-timing wife. Afternoon tea at Claridge's remains a quintessentially English tradition. The accommodations here are the most diverse in London, ranging from the costly and stunning Brook Penthouse -- complete with a personal butler -- to the less-expensive so-called superior queen rooms with queen-size beds. You'll find sumptuous fabrics, exceedingly comfortable beds, elegant linens, chandeliers, and all sorts of modern amenities in the bedrooms. The bathrooms are the most elegant in Britain, with enormous tubs and showerheads the size of frying pans.
Facilities:
3 restaurants; 2 bars; health club; spa; business services; salon; room service; massage; babysitting; laundry service; same-day dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms; rooms for those w/limited mobility
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
