Introduction: Originally constructed from 11 Georgian
Town Houses and famed for its traditional afternoon tea, and is located in
Mayfair just off from Piccadilly. The Rocco Forte Brown's Hotel dates back to
1837, which makes it the oldest existing hotel in London. This location puts
guests in the heart of Central London and in one of the most exclusive areas.
Albemarle Street, which itself dates back to the 18th century, runs parallel to
the world famous fashion and jewellery shopping area of Bond Street. 300 yards
to the East is Regents Street with a huge range of boutiques, department stores,
restaurants and bars. Oxford Street which has one of the highest densities of
shops in Europe and is geared to the tourist market is 0.4 miles to the North.
Piccadilly Circus which in practical terms is the centre of tourist London is
0.3 miles to the East at the bottom of Regent Street. Although Albemarle Street
is just a small street off of a busy main road, its actually used as a cut
through so can be quite busy during weekdays. Less so on weekends. Opposite this
street and on the other side of Piccadilly is Green park, a large open space and
park and which makes up part of the grounds of Buckingham Palace. Other nearby
places of interest include
St James's
Palace (0.4 miles),
Hyde Park (0.5
miles),
National Gallery (0.6 miles),
Trafalgar
Square (0.6 miles) and the
Wallace
Collection (0.7 miles).
Hotel:
The Rocco Forte Brown's Hotel has a character of refined English charm and sophistication.
The interior marries the new and contemporary with the hotels original Victorian
feel. An iconic hotel where the bar was once said to be a favourite of Britain's
war time leader, Winston Churchill.
Bedrooms are designed by Olga Polizzi and combine modern features with
traditional furnishing and are all individually decorated. Added touches include
antiques, books and original English paintings. Amenities include en-suite
(large tub with steam room/shower), Two line phones, Multi-channel flat-screen
LCD televisions, Ipod docking station, Interactive video on demand, High-speed
Internet access, 110/240 V converter outlets, UK and US modems, Individually
controlled air-conditioning, In-room safe, Mini bar and Hairdryers. Rooms are
32-40 square meters in size with the suites being 50-95 square meters.
The new suites are now larger than the previous ones and feature a quaint gas
fire in the sitting room and a TV in the bathroom.
Two rooms are adapted for wheelchair access. Room service is 24 hours. There is
a maid service twice a day. Bedrooms are triple glazed.
Dining Options:
The Albemarle (was the Grill) - Glamorous and informal A La Carte
restaurant. Serves a delicate balance of classic English fare and continental
cuisine with a modern influence. Only the finest British produce is used with an
emphasis on the seasons and a changing menu. The Albemarle distinguishes itself
by featuring a daily carving trolley and banquette booths that offer both
privacy and space. The original wood panelling remains with the addition of
1930s lanterns as well as specially commissioned wall fixtures in this grand
restaurant.
Open: Breakfast 07.00 till 10.30 (Sunday 07.30 till 11.00), Lunch 12.30 to 15.00
(Sunday till 16.00), - Dinner 17.30 till 23.00 (Sunday 19.00 till 22.30).
Brown's English Tea Room - Serves the Afternoon Tea and light meals.
Afternoon tea is actually the signature of the hotel, and has been a tradition
here since the hotel opened in 1837. Enjoy a choice from a range of the finest
teas from around the world. Along with your choice from 17 teas enjoy the a
section of sandwiches, fresh scones, cakes and delicate pastries. Also a choice
of a Champagne Tea. Baby Grand Piano plays in the background.
Open daily from 07.00 to 23.00, Tea from 15.00 and 18.00 (Weekends from 13.00).
Light Meals are served between 11.00 till 14.30 and 18.00 till 23.00
The Donovan Bar (enlarged to include the old Library Restaurant) - Pays
homage to the celebrated British photographer Helmut Newton and is lined with
his iconic prints. Furnishings are contemporary with wooden floors, black
leather seating and dark country check banquettes. Vibrant and fashionable. The
bar has a banquette area for 12 guests which is known as the naughty corner
thanks to the more adult oriented photographs here. Extensive range of over
sixty cocktails (and in-house specials such as the 'Space Rack') and thirty
wines and Champagnes as well as British snacks.
Open daily to residents and non-residents from 11.00 till 01.00 (Sundays noon
till midnight).
Live jazz 21.00 till midnight (not Sundays).
WiFi internet is available in public areas. Onsite is a 70msq fully equipped
cardiovascular gym with three spa treatment rooms adjacent and all are located
in the basement. Treatments include Reiki and Thai massage, facials and seasonal
pedicures and the spa is open to both residents and non-residents.
The Rocco Forte Browns hotel has 6 Function and meeting rooms all with natural light for up to 120
people.
A nice feature is the children's program which provides homemade cookies and
milk at bedtime, small toys and gifts.
Other features of the hotel include fill concierge services, Instant message
delivery, same day laundry, Valeting and pressing service upon request,
Complimentary shoe-shine, express check-in and check-out and Valet parking.
Public areas are wheelchair accessible.
Room Numbers: 117 (of which 19 are suites) / 5
floors
Check-in: 14.00 (2 pm)
Check-out: 12.00 noon
Awards:
Tea Council:
Overall winner 2009
award for excellence 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011
Forbes Top 400: 2008
Condé Nast Readers' Choice Awards:
2009: Top Leisure Hotel in London
Prix Villégiature Awards:
2006 - Best Hotel in Europe
Travel and Leisure magazine: Europe top 100: 2009
History: The hotel has
been branded under Rocco Forte collection of luxury hotels since 3rd July 2003.
Previous to this it was branded under the Raffles International Hotels logo,
another collection of luxury hotels.
During 2004-2005 the hotel underwent a £24 million refurbishment and re-opened
in December of 2005. The refurbishment was overseen by the sister of Rocco
Forte, Olga Polizzi.
The hotels name originally came from its first owners of 1837, James and Sarah
Brown. The couple were valet and maid to Lord and Lady Byron. The hotel was sold
in 1859 to the Ford family, the famous car manufacturers, who modernised the
hotel with electricity (1884), permanent bath tubs (1885), gentleman's smoking
room, electric lights, lifts (ascending chairs) and the first London hotel to
have its own onsite restaurant. 30 years later in 1889 the family purchased the
hotel to the rear of the property, the St Georges Hotel on Albermarle Street.
The two hotels were knocked into one and a fifth floor was added to the
building. In 1905 3 adjoining townhouses were purchased to again enlarge the
hotel.
A landmark event took place at the hotel in 1876 when Alexandra Graham Bell
made the first ever telephone call from here. Author Rudyard Kipling wrote the
novel 'The Jungle Book' while resident at the hotel and Queen Victoria took tea
here. Agather Christie was another author who wrote here for the novel 'At
Bertram's Hotel'. The hotel was the also the first in London to have its own
restaurant. In 1871 Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie stayed at the Browns Hotel.
Other guests have includedTheodore Roosevelt who has a suite named after him at
the hotel and Queen Victoria.
