Claridge's Hotel - London

Introduction: Claridge's Hotel London is situated in the heart of the exclusive area of Mayfair. This is one of the most prime locations not just in London but in the UK as a whole and a Mayfair address is a prized possession in the business world. Its a mix of residential accommodation, offices and top quality shops and showrooms. Mayfair is home to some 17 five star hotels and apartments, something you will be hard push to find in other similarly sized areas in the world. Just 150 yards from Bond Street where you'll find the best in designer fashion and the highest quality jewellery shops. While Bond Street is the place for deep pockets, by contrast Oxford Street 200 yards to the north has something for everyone. This is one of Europe's busiest shopping high streets and with one of the highest densities of shops. A wide cross section of stores and boutiques along with bars and restaurants but also catering very much to the tourist looking for London memorabilia. Just under half a mile to the west, and just the other side of Park Lane is Hyde Park. One of the central London's 2 major parks (along with Regents Park), with huge open spaces, a central lake with boating, horse riding (hired from nearby stables), snacks bars, landscaped gardens and a host of statues and sculptures. The park itself merges with Kensington Gardens. Regent Street is a 1/3 of a mile to the east and offers a long winding road of endless large stores and leads down to what we consider the centre of London, Piccadilly Circus which is 0.6 miles from the hotel. There you will find the heart beat of London's nightlife and theatreland, its part of what is known as the West End. Other places of interest closest to the hotel include the Michael Faraday Museum (0.3 miles), the Wallace Collection (0.4 miles), Royal Academy of Arts (0.4 miles) and Speakers Corner (0.5 miles).

Hotel:
One of most historical of all London hotels. Claridge's Hotel can trace is history back to 1812 and has been the choice for world leaders, nobility and rich and famous alike. Along with the likes of the Ritz and the Savoy, Claridge's is a name synonymous with style, top class personal service and opulence across the world. The hotels architecture shows its Victorian roots which it now blends with Art Deco, retro and modern design and style. The interior areas remain true to its history with period furnishings and photographs of past guests, Royalty and the famous, adorning the walls.

Each bedroom has its own individual design and are decorated in a traditional English manner. The en-suite bathrooms have original style tiled and marble Victorian bathrooms with supplied top brand toiletries, robes, slippers, bidet and separate bath and shower. In-room is a keyboard with a button to request a valet. Other in-room amenities include, Alarm clock, Refrigerator with mini bar, Hair dryer, Central heating, Air conditioning, Privacy buttons, free newspaper, entertainment system, high speed internet access, cable TV with web browser (or connection to laptop), CD/DVD player, safe, music on demand and pay-per-view movies and Direct dial telephone with voicemail. Some bedrooms have the extra feature of a real fireplace.
Superior Queen (single use): 28 sq meters (301 sq feet)
Superior Queen: 30 sq meters (323 sq feet)
Superior King or Twin: 35 sq meters (377 sq feet)
Deluxe King or Twin: 42 sq meters (452 sq feet)

Some of the suites can changed from double beds to twin beds on request.
Deluxe Junior Suite: 55 sq meters (592 sq feet). These suites are in both open plan style and some with a separate sitting room. Some also have walk-in showers.
One bedroom Mayfair suite: 75 sq meters (807 sq feet). Elegant in style. Some with fireplaces.
One bedroom Claridge's Suite: 90 sq meters (969 sq feet). Some have a walk-in wardrobe and a bathroom for guests. Separate sitting room.
Two bedroom Mayfair suite: 105 sq meters (1130 sq feet). Separate sitting room. Some with walk-in wardrobe.
Two bedroom Claridge's Suite: 105 sq meters (1130 sq feet). Elegantly furnished.
Piano Suite: 105 sq meters (1130 sq feet). Luxury is the buzz word here with canopied beds. twin basins in the bathroom along with twin shower stalls and feature a Grand piano in the sitting room.
The Royal Suite: 170 sq meters (1830 sq feet). Fit for royalty with interior pillars, furnishings from the 1700's, separate drawing room and dining room, fireplace and grand piano.
The Davies Penthouse: 220 sq meters (2368 sq feet). Two king four poster beds. Each bedroom has its own dressing room and bathroom. These suites have their own terrace.
The Brook Penthouse: 220 sq meters (2368 sq feet). Art Deco style. Bedrooms each have their own dressing room. Separate dinning room and sitting room has full height windows. Butler service.
One bedroom Linley suite: 90 sq meters (969 sq feet). In Art Deco or a traditional style.

Additionally the Claridges hotel offers a nightly turndown, wakeup calls, luggage unpacking, twice daily maid service and 24 hour room service (includes organic options). Gameboys (games console) can be requested.
Floors have lift access.

Dining Options:
Claridge's Foyer: 50 seats. Restored By designer Thierry Despont and featuring a wonderful Dale Chihuly Silver/white Light Sculpture (formed from 800 hand blown glass pieces). Found on the ground floor the foyer has an Art deco style with an 18 foot high ceiling. Serves traditional afternoon tea with over 300 types of tea and an in-house tea infused jam along with pastries, cakes, sandwiches and scones. Also serves alcoholic and light meals. Daily musical accompaniment 15.00 till 21.30.
Open: 07.00 till 10.30 (Sunday 08.00 till 11.00), Noon till 14.30. Afternoon tea 15.00 till 17.30.
Reading Room: Also to be found on the ground floor and next door to the foyer. Elegant setting features two art deco cut marble fireplaces, lush leather columns with velour banquettes and suede walls. This smaller 40 seat restaurant has an intimate feel. Also serves afternoon tea.
Open: 7.00 till 10.30 (Sunday 08.00 till 11.00), Noon till 14.30, 18.00 till 22.30.
Gordon Ramsay: 70 seats. This is the elegant fine dining restaurant, again the work of Thierry Despont, features the contemporary European cuisine of international chef Gordon Ramsay. Art Deco features. Dishes include the like of Baked Baby Sea Bass With Aubergine Caviar and Black Olives And A Lobster Nage.
Open: noon till 15.00, 15.45 till 23.00 (18.00 till 22.30).
Claridge's Bar: 45 seat venue designed by David Collins that is both chic and sophisticated with an art deco style and relaxed and vibrant feel. Popular choice with the rich and famous. The ceiling features a green glass chandelier and silver leaf. The furnishings include red leather banquettes. Serves rare champagnes, fine wines by the glass or bottle, cocktails and spirits. Also serves a wide ranging menu of snacks and light meals between noon and 23.00.
Open noon till 01.00 (Sunday 16.00 till midnight).
The Macanudo Fumoir: 12 seats. Boudoir style with upholstered walls, low tables and wooden horse shoe shaped Bar creating a moody feel. The place for Caviars And Cocktails, fine and unique cognacs and a range of fine drinks.

10 function/meeting rooms cater for any size event, from as little as 6 in the smallest room to 240 guests in the largest. Room are fitted with business facilities such as internet access, fax, projectors and flip charts.

Claridge's Beauty & Fitness is located o the hotels sixth floor. As with the rest of the hotel the facilities have an Art Deco style. There's a gymnasium where you can enjoy views while you work out with the latest high tech machines and free weights and assisted by personal trainers. There's even a juice bar. A range of treatment are on offer including Massage and Reflexology, Swedish massage, deep tissue, Shiatsu, Thai Massage, Face and Body Package, La Prairie Treatments, La Prairie's Art of Beauty Five-Star treatments, Le Prairie Hopi ear candle treatment, Manicure and Pedicure and waxing.
Gym and treatments available: 06.30 till 21.00 (08.00 till 20.00 weekends)
In-room massage also available.

As you would expect from a 5 star hotel other services and features include 24 hour concierge services with a dedicated theatre desk, shoe shine, currency exchange, luggage storage and support for business services (Mobile phone rental, Photocopying, Laptop/printers available, Letterhead/business card printing, Private phone numbers). The Claridge's hotel reception can assist with safety deposit boxes.

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Room Numbers: 203
Check-in: 14.00 (2pm)
Check-out: 12.00 noon

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Awards:

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History: Bought by the Barclays brothers (0wners of The Ritz) in an 800 million Euros (£700 million pound) package along with the Connaught Hotel and The Berkeley Hotel. The hotels were purchased from the Irish National Asset Management Agency (Nama) which had taken over the hotels on behalf of the Irish banks who had made a bad loan originally for the hotels to the Maybourne Hotel group in 2005.
Claridge's hotel can chart its beginnings all the way back to 1812. At this time James Mivart bought 51 brook Street and created apartments that could be rented by the month. The apartments were a success and Mivart bought a nearby house at number 57 in 1817. He went on to buy adjacent houses which he then created one single hotel from in 1838 which was called simply 'Mivarts'. Claridge's was a separate hotel at this time located at number 49 and owned by William and Marianne Claridge's. In 1854 they purchased Mivarts and the two hotels become one single hotel called 'Claridge's, late Mivarts' until James Mivart died in 1856, the hotel then becoming known as just Claridge's.
In 1894 the hotels then new owner of D'Oyly Carte pulled the building down in totality. In November 1898 the hotel reopened, totally rebuilt, and began its life as the top class luxury hotel we know of today. The 1894 construction also included 48 Davies Street which had been separate Mivarts hotel to the one on Brook Street.
The actual original Clardiges hotel therefore was 49 Brook Street, The Hotel used that name from 1853. A hotel had existed in these premises since 1805 when William Wake opened Wake's Hotel. from 1806-11 it was called Coulson's Hotel from 1812 till 1851. Under its new owners it was named Claridge's Hotel in 1853.

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