Introduction: You couldn't ask for better transport links
than being situated adjacent to Charing Cross Station as the
Guoman Charing
Cross Hotel is (Grade II listed building). A nice bit of trivia is that this
hotel is officially the most central hotel in London as the centre of London is
taken as being the station itself. (although on the website we prefer using
Piccadilly Circus as the central point) A grade one listed Victorian Railway
Hotel the Thistle has been been completely refurbished while retaining the 19th
century elegance. Situated at the end of the Strand, opposite
Covent Garden and by
Trafalgar
Square this is an ideal base to explore all that London has to offer. The
Strand itself is full of theatres, bars and shops with a McDonalds adjacent and
starbucks across the road. Transport links are great with the station next door,
buses running along the strand frequently and taxis using the strand as main
through route. To the rear of the hotel and station is the River Thames which
affords some excellent walking opportunities along its banks as well tours of
the River by boat. London now also has a river bus service. Nearest river stop
to the hotel is Embankment pier. From this location you are on the edge of
London heartland for nightlife and day time sites and shopping. Just off from
Trafalgar Square is Regent Street with its excellent mix of departments stores,
boutiques, bars and restaurants. Covent Garden which begins almost opposite the
hotel is a must for any visitor. Famous for its buskers (street artists) and
indoor markets as well its great nightlife and bars. Local attractions are
numerous but a selection includes:
National
Gallery (0.1 miles),
Cleopatra's
Needle (0.2 miles),
Leicester Square (0.3 miles), London Transport Museum (0.3 miles),
Theatre Museum
(0.3 miles) and the
London Eye (Millennium Wheel) (0.4 miles).
Hotel:
The Guoman Charing Cross hotel is a grade II listed building.
The lobby features a marble floor and you will be checked in at the wood
panelled reception desk.
Each room is air-conditioned with the use of pastel colours is to be found in
most rooms.
Bedroom amenities include high speed wireless internet access, laptop size safe, wakeup calls, iron and ironing board, trouser press, hairdryer,
flat screen TV with
digital channels, radio, IPod docking station, direct dial telephone, tea and coffee making
facilities, desk with lamp, mini bar and express check-out. En-suite facilities are provided where you
will also find complimentary toiletries and a walk-in shower.
There is a separate dedicated executive wing. These rooms offer Champagne on
arrival as well as plus private checkout and concierge services. The bathrooms
have rain showers, heated flooring, Italian fittings and mist-free mirrors.
Junior suites give you all the benefits of the executive and deluxe bedrooms,
but with the added comfort of your own lounge area.
Junior suites also give access to the exclusive Guoman Club lounge. here
complimentary internet access is available along with printing services, plasma
TV screen and reading material. Open from 07.00 till 23.00.
Many bedrooms have views over the Strand and Trafalgar Square.
24-hour room service is provided for all rooms.
Dining options:
Eleanor's
Cocktail Bar: The hotels destination bar was newly opened in
2011 offering guests a sophisticated and luxurious setting. Relaxing yet funky
ambience. The bars name refers to Eleanor's cross, one of 12 landmarks built to
mark the spots where the funeral procession of Eleanor of Castile stopped. One
of those points being almost directly outside the Guoman Charing Cross hotel.
The bars interior is a mix of red and black colours, black and white fashion
prints, plush cushions and a striking marble bar at its heart all lit with
individual candles. The bar has an excellent range of drinks, from classic
cocktails to Eleanor's Castilian Sangria. Options include an extensive selection
of martinis, champagne cocktails and soft drinks. After dinner specialities
include whiskey and vanilla ice-cream Don Pedro and the Toblerone, a mix of
honey with a dash of hazelnut. Also serves light meals.
The Brasserie at Charing Cross: AA two rosette holder. Serves classic British and
International dishes. This is the hotels main restaurant, the Victorian
styled terrace looks out over the Strand with views to Trafalgar Square and is
located on the 1st floor. The decor
includes original mosaic Inlaid floors which are the original Victorian feature. A feature are the windows that run from
the floor right up to the high ceiling. Serves breakfast (English and
continental), lunches, afternoon tea and dinner as well as an extensive range of
light snacks. The menu offers fixed price lunch and dinner choices and the
cuisine is traditional English which changes according to the season.
Breakfast 06.30 till 10.30 (Weekends 07.00 till 11.00, Lunch noon till 14.30,
Afternoon tea 14.00 till 17.00, Dinner 17.30 till 22.00.
Monday to Sunday 2pm –
Strand Lounge: Modern decor and furnishings in a roomy and sumptuous
area. Intimate atmosphere. Serves afternoon tea with views over The Strand and
Trafalgar Square.
For the business traveller the hotel can offer 8 meeting rooms all with
air-conditioning, audio visual equipment, high speed internet access and with a
capacity of up to 150 guests theatre style. Extensive range of serves available
including Wi-Fi and video conferencing.
Other hotel services include laundry and dry cleaning, concierge, luggage
storage, express check-in and safety deposit box facilities at the reception
which is manned 24 hours.
WiFi can be picked up in all public areas. There is a hotel gymnasium which is
free for hotel guests.
This is an all areas non-smoking hotel.
Parking: Nearby public pay car park at Spring
Gardens, SW1A 2BN (0.2 miles)
Room Numbers: 239 / 6 floors
Check-in: 14.00 (2 pm) (minimum age 18)
Check-out: 12.00 noon
History:
Was called the Thistle Charing Cross Hotel until October 2007.
The hotel has a long history dating back to its opening on the 15th May 1865.
This was just over one year after the station itself opened. The hotel was
designed by Edward Middleton Barry. Most notable was the magnificent facade of
the hotel which was a French Renaissance style. The hotel and station are built
on the site of the Victorian Hungerford Market. In 1878 the hotel was further
extended and then again in 1952 when two more floors were added to the top. In
front of the hotel is a 70 foot replica of the original Eleanor Cross which
stood here in 1291. The cross was commissioned by the hotel and erected in 1865.
During end of 2010 till February 2011 work was undertaken at a cost of £2.5
million pounds to upgrade the Buckingham Wing and its 85 bedrooms and rename it
the Executive Wing. The bar and restaurant were also refurbished and rebranded.
