The Connaught Hotel

Introduction: The Connaught Hotel London is located in the heart of Mayfair just off of Grosvenor Square (location of the American Embassy). Mayfair is the most exclusive area in London and home many 5 star hotels. Residential by nature, for those that can afford the astronomical prices, with a mix of fabulous shopping and offices for some of the worlds leading companies. Bordered by Oxford Street to the north where there's something for everyone with a mile and half long road of endless shops and restaurants. Just on the eastern side is Bond Street, famous for its high quality jewellery stores and fashion boutiques. Running parallel with Bond Street is Saville Row, where men go to buy the best in made to measure suits. Just 1/3rd of a mile to the west if Hyde Park. Here you will find much to see and do, dotted with statues and la series of landscaped gardens, there are also many snack bars along with a gallery and boats for hire on good weather days. Horse riding tracks go all around the park and can be hired from nearby stables. 1/3rd of a mile to the south is Piccadilly which has its own row of shops (also home to Shepherds' Market), best known of which is perhaps Fortnum and Mason, and which leads down to Piccadilly Circus where the theatreland and nightlife is to be found. Just the other side of Piccadilly is Green Park, an open space and which makes up part of the grounds to Buckingham Palace (0.7 miles). Its less than a mile from here to ever popular Knightsbridge and its chic shopping and home to the Harrods Department Store. The hotel is on the corner of Carlos Place and Mount Street, while not a main road, it is a cut through for traffic and can be busy at peak times, but not excessively. Other local places on interest include the Michael Faraday Museum (worked with electricity) (0.3 miles), Sotheby's Auction House (0.3 miles), Speakers Corner (0.4 miles), Wigmore Hall classical music hall) (0.4 miles), Royal Academy of Arts (arts museum) (0.5 miles) and the Wallace Collection (0.5 miles).

Hotel:
Dating back to the Victorian era the Connaught Hotel is a striking red brick building that stands out on this section of Mayfair. The hotel has a the feel of an English country house with some grand features such as a winding Mahogany staircase embellished in guilt, interiors decorated with fine paintings and works of art and real fireplaces. Rising 6 floors above the stairwell is a domed glass ceiling. It speaks volumes fore the hotel that between 1897 and 2008 the hotel had just 7 managers.
Guest rooms and suites are furnished and decorated in harmony with their period heritage but in a contemporary and chic manner. Period colours and Edwardian-slate adorn the walls. Gilt mirrors, damask silk curtains and period oil paintings decorate many of the bedrooms of which they all have an individual style.

All bedrooms have an elegant style, have en-suite white Thassos marble bathrooms with Asprey toiletries, cast irons baths and flat screen TV and most have a walk-in shower. Rooms are furnished with antiques and have a butler service. In-room amenities include air-conditioning, high speed internet access, writing desk, minibar, safe and satellite TV.
Superior Queen, Superior King and Deluxe King rooms are decorated in either champagne/cream or eau de nil/duck-egg blue. luxury Italian linen is sued for the beds and the fitted cupboards are made from mahogany.
All the Junior Suites and One and Two Bedroom Suites have original paintings from the past centuries, old masters to modern works of art. Each has remotely controlled lighting.
Personal butler service 24 hours for everything from in-room dining to IT help.

Dining:
The Gallery: From the work New York designers is this warm, relaxed and inviting open plan restaurant. Decorated with Portland stone, polished maple, fresh flowers, works of art and scented candles. A variety of seating is available and the restaurant serves a seasonal, organic, and fresh a la carte dishes. The conservatory overlooks the local streets. open all day from Breakfast to dinner.
The Coburg Bar: The work of French designer, India Mahdavi. Warm, chic, relaxed and intimate vibe is this bar named after the hotels original name. Contemporary style while remaining true to the hotels heritage with wood panelling, antiques and a fireplace. The old Connaught wingback chairs are re-upholstered in velvet with black fringing, large caramel Heppelwhite ‘loveseats’ and wide-seated 18th century ‘easy chairs’ set the feel. Serves fine wines, extensive range of cocktails. Open from midday.
Afternoon tea is served in the Gallery. Offers a champagne menu, British finger sandwiches, selection of Mignardise and Moelleux and shot glasses of creamy pleasure. Range  of traditional tarts and farmhouse cakes.
Hélène Darroze at the Connaught: Michelin starred. Cuisine specialises in the tastes of South West France fused with some of the finest ingredients of the British Isles and British dishes. Designed by India Mahdavi. The restaurant has a team of 21 chefs who use authentic regional and seasonal flavours. The décor and surroundings stay true to the hotels 19th century heritage blended with a bold and playful display of colours and geometry along with Mahogany panelled walls. A chandelier hangs from the middle of the ceiling. The setting has an exclusive feeling with a warm ambience.

The Connaught has a spacious onsite gymnasium and spa. Opened in 2010 the Aman Spa is based on key treatments reflecting the renewing traditions of China, Thailand, India and the Americas. The Spa includes a 60 meter indoor swimming pool.
Fitness Centre and pool open: Monday to Friday 6:30 till 21.00 (Saturday and Sunday 7.00 till 21.00)
Spa Treatments Daily 9:00 till 21.00
Additional services include a concierge, currency exchange and dry cleaning/laundry.
Guests needs are taken care of by the team of concierges of butlers (re-invented for the 21st century say the hotel), whether it should be local information or in-room services all needs are catered for. 

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Parking: Valet parking in nearby NCP car park.
Room Numbers: 153
Check-in: 14.00 (2 pm)
Check-out: 12.00 noon

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History: New wing opened in November 2009 which gave the hotel an extra 30 bedrooms, a ballroom and a spa.
Closed for most of 2007 to allow for major restoration (£70 million pounds worth) which included the addition of an extra 33 rooms and restoration of some of the hotels original works of art. Bedrooms were refurbished under the direction and design of interior designer, Guy Oliver. Re-opened December 2007.
A Savoy Hotel group hotel since 1956.
The hotel originally opened as a newly built construction from two existing Georgian houses in 1897 when it was called the Coburg Hotel. In 1917 the names was changed to The Connaught after the Duke of Connaught (Queen Victoria's third son, Prince Arthur).

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Awards:
Hélène Darroze at the Connaught restaurant is a 1 star Michelin restaurant
AA Hotel of the Year 2009/10
Voted runner-up best bar 2008 by Timeout magazine.
Forbes Top 400: 2008, 2007
Condé Nast Readers' Choice Awards:
2009: Gold Status for Location