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 of the Connaught Hotel is 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 Hotel 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.
Parking: Valet parking in nearby NCP car park.
Room Numbers: 153
Check-in: 14.00 (2 pm)
Check-out: 12.00 noon
History: Purchased by the Barclays brothers (0wners of
The Ritz) as part of a £700 million pound
deal that included the
Claridge's Hotel and
The Berkeley Hotel. Sold by the Irish National Asset Management Agency (Nama)
on behalf of the Irish bank who made a loan to Maybourne Hotel group in 2005 for
the hotels.
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).
Awards:
Hélène Darroze at the Connaught restaurant is a 1 star Michelin restaurant
AA London 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
Tea Council:
award for excellence 2011
