Introduction: Wonderfully located in the heart of the
tourist area of London is the Sofitel St. James Hotel London, a grade II listed
building. Originally the hotel was the base for the Cox and King's bank and its
original neo classic facade remains in place having been renovated to capture
the grandeur of those bygone days. Waterloo Place (the Sofitels' location) is a
small road at the very bottom (southern end) of Regent Street. At one end you
walk down a few steps and you're into the grounds of Buckingham Palace while at
the other end is Pall Mall which isa very short walk to Trafalgar Square. Pall
Mall is also home to several well known Gentleman's Club. Quite simply this
location gives access to all of London's attractions as its central and in a
desirable and affluent part the Capital. Within minutes from here are many of
the areas and landmarks famous the world over. Whitehall (0.2 miles), Leicester
Square (0.2 miles), Downing Street (0.3 miles), Piccadilly (0.3 miles),
Soho/Chinatown (0.4 miles), Mayfair (0.7 miles), the list goes on. Regent Street
itself is a mecca for shoppers from all over the UK, with many of the shops
names famous throughout the world such as the Hamleys Toy Store. Around the
Regent Street area is also many of London's top theatres including the London
Palladium. Surrounded by two great parks, Green Park (0.4 miles) and St James's
Park (0.1 miles). Just a short stroll from Haymarket (0.1 miles) with its
theatres and bars, notable the Sports bar and Her Majesty's Theatre.
Hotel:
The Sofitel St James manages to offer a combination of contemporary
accommodation within a traditionally and elegant styled building with a French
modernist feel.
Bedrooms are decorated with rich fabrics with chocolate, almond and olive
colours. They have lacquered mahogany furniture and thick pile carpets and are
individually air-conditioned. Inside your room is high tech lighting,
interactive satellite LCD television, dual line telephone with cordless
extension and voicemail, desk space, high speed internet access, ISDN line,
docking station with iPod connection and CD player, well stocked minibar, laptop
sized safe, hairdryer, ironing facilities and coffee/tea maker. The in-room
internet access is wireless and complimentary for basic use.
All rooms and suites have their own private bathrooms complete with hands free
phone, top brand toiletries, power hairdryer, rain shower heads, robes and
slippers. They feature chrome fittings and black marble.
Room Types:
Classic Rooms: Single rooms with walk in shower. Less amenities than other type
of rooms.
Disabled rooms: 24m2. Wheelchair accessible, emergency cords and had rails in
bathroom. Vibrating alarm under pillow.
Superior Rooms: Bathrooms have bath tub and shower combo.
Deluxe Rooms: Larger than deluxe rooms. Most have views of Waterloo Place or
Pall Mall and most have separate bath and walk-in shower. Some interconnecting
rooms available.
Junior Suites: Views of Waterloo Place. Bath tub and separate walk-in shower.
Separate seating area.
Executive Suites: king-size bedroom with a separated lounge area with sofa.
Views over Pall Mall or Waterloo Place. Some corner suites have dual aspect
views. Upgraded features compared to above rooms and suites. Large desk in
lounge which has a fax machine, printer and copier. Separate lounge and bedroom.
Guest cloakroom.
Royal Suite: This is the Sofitells largest suite. The bedroom has a four poster
king size bed with en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower. There's a separate
lounge area with a large plasma screen television, separate lounge dining room
that can accommodate 8 guests and has a fully fitted kitchen. Available with
interconnecting junior suite. Extra features in the Royal Suite include DVD
player and surround sound system.
The Sofitel St James hotel offers 24 hour room service.
Dining Options:
The Balcon Restaurant: Opened in October 2011. The setting was once the banking hall of
Cox and Kings Bank. Features extra high ceilings. The air-conditioned restaurant
is located on the ground floor and with a dedicated entrance at 8 Pall
Mall. There are three 15 feet high windows with pale yellow and white American
blinds that look out over Pall mall and Waterloo Place. The Balcon is a grand
brasserie serving the finest of French-British cuisine.
The restaurant covers five distinct areas. The brasserie itself, the custom-made
charcuterie bar, the Champagne Balcony, the tasting table and the private dining
room.
The Balcon offers breakfast, morning tea and savouries, lunch, French and
English afternoon tea, Champagne and cocktails, charcuterie, dinner and late
night dining.
St James Bar: takes its inspiration from Coco Chanel’s 1920’s Paris
apartment. A cosy and traditional bar with fire place and leather chairs. Very much with the feel of a gentleman's club and
Anglo-French chic. Serves a bar menu. The cocktail list includes vintage
cocktails from antique recipe books as well as a wide champagne list and English
sparkling wine animated by the Sofitels very own champagne angel.
Other services include a full concierge service and 8 high tech meeting rooms
for up to 180 guests.
Within the Sofitel St James Hotel is a fully equipped gymnasium along with steam
rooms and beauty treatments are available.
The 'So Spa by Sofitel' is arranged over three floors with a hammam,
deep-relaxation area, "rain sky" showers and treatment rooms.
note: Do not confuse this hotel with the similarly named
Crowne Plaza St James Hotel
or
St James Hotel and
Club which are also in SW1.
Room Numbers: 186 (20
suites) / 6 floors
Check-in: 14.00 (2 pm)
Check-out: 12.00 noon
Awards:
Tea Council awards:
for excellence 2010, 2011
Conde Nast Johansens:
2011: Top UK Hotel Spa
2010: Most Excellent Spa
2008: Most Excellent London Hotel
