Introduction: The Courthouse Doubletree Hotel enjoys a
great location, actually in the midst of the London's vibrant and bustling night
life in an area known as the West End. Just off from Regent Street, yards from
Oxford Street and opposite Carnaby
Street.
Regent
Street is a long winding street packed full of large department stores,
smaller shops and boutiques, restaurants and cafes and leads down to what is
affectively the very centre of London, Piccadilly Circus. Regent Street also
marks the western border of London's theatreland. Oxford Street is one of the
busiest shopping high streets anywhere in Europe with a vast range of shops many
of which are geared and targeted to the London visitor. Carnaby Street is
synonymous with the swinging sixties where it was the place for fashion, music
and trendy looks although the streets origin actually dates way back to the late
1600's. Now its still a trendy place to visit and is completely pedestrianised.
The hotel is on Great Marlborough Street and immediately South of here is the
area known as
Soho. Two things
are famous here, the restaurants and the adult oriented entertainment. However
there are also so great clubs here such as the Groucho Club and Ronnie Scotts
jazz club. The hotel is also just a short stroll (some 200 yards west) from the
exclusive district of Mayfair. Almost next door to the hotel is perhaps London's
best known theatre and entertainment venue, the London Palladium, where some of
the worlds greatest stars have been performing since 1910.
Other nearby places of interest include Saville Row (for tailored suits)(0.2
miles), Ben Uri Art Society (London Jewish Museum of Art)(0.3 miles), Sothebys
Auction House (0.3 miles), Ripleys Believe it or Not Museum (0.3 miles),
Trocadero Centre (0.3 miles) and the Michael Faraday Museum (0.4 miles).
Hotel:
The Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton Regent Street occupies the old Great
Marlborough Street Magistrates Court building (law courts presided over by
magistrates, who are members of the public rather than judges). When it was
still operating as a court it was the second oldest magistrates court in the UK.
Its now a grade 2 listed and protected building. Many original features of the
building which dates back to the 1800's still remain. In its day such characters
as Oscar Wilde and Johnny Rotten have been held here and Mick Jagger answered a
drugs charge here. Charles Dickens worked here as a reporter and Napoleon
appeared in court as witness in 1847.
Bedrooms:
Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton bedrooms feature a modern style with King, Queen or twin beds and range from 25
sq metres to 40 sq metres.
Room facilities include Individually controlled air-conditioning, laptop sized
safe, minibar, dual line telephone with voicemail, cable flat screen television
and entertainment system, desk and high speed Internet Access.
Bathrooms have marble interiors, sourced exclusively from Italy, and feature a
bath/shower and bidet and an innovative frosted picture window between bathroom
and bedroom offering light and privacy at the same time.
DVD library available from concierge.
The Magistrates Suites occupy the high-ceiling Judges quarters on the first,
second and third floor of the original building, and with views of Carnaby
Street and Libertys, are bedecked with original Robert Adams fireplaces and oak
flooring.
The Lalique Penthouse comprises a glass conservatory, living and dining space,
kitchenette and 2 bedrooms each with an en-suite bathroom. Situated in a
secluded part of the hotel the Lalique Suite offers privacy and security and is
accessed by its own private lift.
Daily Maid Service. 24 hour room service. Private butler and newspaper on
request. Rooms with increased accessibility are available. Floors have lift
access.
Dining Options:
Carnabys: Separate street entrance to this brasserie style restaurant
which offers all day dining. Mediterranean and French inspired cuisine.
Open: 07.00 till 23.00 (closed Sunday).
Silk: Fine dining restaurant on the ground floor. Interestingly this used
to be the number one court when the building was a magistrates court. The
restaurants decor features a large vaulted glass ceiling that is framed by
original English Oak panelling with the Judges bench, dock and witness stand in
their original setting.
The restaurant is named after the "Silk Road" routes that crisscrossed Eurasia
and this is reflected in the menu with influences from the Mediterranean,
Persia, India, Central Asia, China, Korea and Japan. Enjoy "mezze/tapas" style
dishes or dine A La Carte.
Open: 18.00 till 23.00 (closed Sunday, Monday).
The Bar: Club atmosphere highlighted by the low leather sofa's, floors
with black Indian mica slate, a wall-length glass bar and a setting styled in
black and white leather. The private tables (for up to 8 guests) are situated
inside the old prison cells and the bar retains other original features. Classic
cocktail list and bar menu.
Open: 11.00 till 01.30 (closes 23.00 Sunday).
Waiting Room: Once the defendants waiting area and now an elegant
palm-filled atrium with a colonial ambience in which to relax and enjoy
breakfast, light meals and afternoon tea.
Open: 07.00 till 11.00.
Another great feature is the hotels own 89 seat cinema. The Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton hotel has 5 meeting
rooms with a capacity for up to 130 guests. Additionally you can hire the The
Roof Terrace with its exclusive feel and offering a place to enjoy light meals
and satisfying cocktails, the roof terrace overlooks the Libertys department
store.
The Sanook Spa, opened 2005, has a fully equipped gym which is separated from
the eye catching wet areas by a glass wall. The wet areas are made up of a hot
tub and a large square indoor swimming pool. There are two aluminium treatment
rooms with glass floors, one of which is suspended over the pool. There is also
a relaxation area.
Open: 07.00 till 21.00 (08.00 till 20.00 weekends).
There is a full concierge service with help with everything from luggage storage
facilities to local knowledge and theatre bookings.
Parking: nearby NCP car park.
Room Numbers: 112
Check-in: 14.00 (2 pm)
Check-out: 12.00 noon
