Dreaming of a Pink Christmas at The Savoy

How could I resist an invite to be involved with the Savoy Christmas transformation? This beautiful art deco hotel is one of the most iconic accommodations in the city and this year they teamed up with Boodles to present a pretty in pink Christmas fantasia.

The SavoyThe Savoy

I arrived early in the afternoon for a tour of some of the hotels most special features. We visited the top suites, taking in the gorgeous views, the grand bedrooms and the impressive amenities. I could only imagine the long list of celebrities and royalty who had rested their heads in these luxurious rooms.

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Then we headed to the renowned American Bar (consistently voted in the world top ten bars) and enjoyed saccarine sweet pink hot chocolate, topped with creamy and shards of chocolate. Before cocktails and dinner I had time to check out our bedroom which was filled with a stack of festive gifts. Savoy themed Christmas decorations, a Boodles writing set and champagne truffles were some of the treats I discovered wrapped up in my room. But best of all was the beautiful handmade gingerbread house, decorated with cherries, icing and even some candyfloss chimney smoke!

After a round of innovate cocktails in the American bar we headed to Kaspars for dinner. This popular grill restaurant offers premium seafood and steaks in a relaxed and stylish setting. During the Christmas season Kaspar’s is serving special festive menus including Christmas pudding and mulled wine.

The SavoyThe Savoy

As most of the Savoy guests were retiring to bed, we were sitting excitedly in the lobby waiting for the huge tree to arrive. Dressed in pink with a Boodles post office (for Christmas correspondence!) the beautiful tree lights up the entrance to the Savoy. The next morning it was wonderful to watch the expressions on peoples’ faces as they realised the tree had magically appeared overnight.

The Savoy

Our room-service breakfast was as lavish and delicious as it looks. Surely there is nothing better than sitting in a super comfortable Savoy bed, wrapped up in a beautiful duvet, enjoying fresh orange juice and waffles with berries?

Christmas is such a special time in London, and this year the Savoy have exceeded all expectations with their fantastic pink extravaganza, head to this historic hotel to experience the best of the festive season.

More information about Christmas experiences at the Savoy here.

The Beaumont Hotel

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On a rainy Saturday afternoon in October I visited The Beaumont for a special staycation. It was such a treat and I relished the opportunity to stay in and make good use of the facilities. Of the 73 rooms there are 23 studios and suites and we found ourselves in the lavish Roosevelt suite on the top floor. With numerous rooms and a huge balcony overlooking London, it took us almost an hour to explore, marvelling at every thoughtful detail.

The hotel has an obvious art deco theme, harking back to the decade in which it was built, with stylish furniture and lighting, elegant handpicked artwork and indulgent amenities.

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All of the room types feel spacious yet cosy, fully equipped with King-sized beds, beautiful bathrooms with underfloor heating and bespoke D R Harris toiletries. I loved the personality in our suite: carefully chosen books sat on the bedside tables, freshly made macarons were temptingly place in the dining room and in the living room there were games like Scrabble and Monopoly, perfect for Saturday nights in by the fire. The owners, Chris Corbin and Jeremy King are involved in every aspect of the hotel, and this personal insight and dedication adds so much to the guest’s experience at The Beaumont.

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For a unique experience book yourself in to the Antony Gormley suite, with a wonderfully immersive sculptural bedroom and a pure white marble bathroom concealed by a dramatic black velvet curtain. It certainly won’t be a night’s sleep you forget in a hurry.

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The Beaumont’s in house restaurant, The Colony Grill Room has become a popular destination in its own right. The American-style classic dishes and relaxed, sophisticated dining room make this restaurant a lovely place to spend time with friends and enjoy the finest quality comfort food. Specialities like the Lobster a la Russe are particularly decadent, or you can opt for a simpler Caesar Salad topped with shavings of parmesan and crunchy croutons.

The star of the show though is the steaks, which are utterly delicious. Silky rich meat is cooked to perfection, with a charred smokiness and served with french fries and a sauce of your choice.

For dessert I chose the fabulously child-friendly Colony Club Sundae, which you can customise with a little form at the table. For some high drama, try the Bananas Foster which is cooked Table Side, much to the amazement of the neighbouring diners.

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Breakfast is equally divine, and we chose to enjoy it in our suite. Beautiful plates of food arrived promptly in the morning, alongside strong coffee, the sweetest fresh juice and just-baked viennoiserie.

Beaumont Hotel

Before leaving the hotel I had just enough time to visit the heavenly spa. This white mosaic-ed oasis is instantly welcoming and calming. I couldn’t resist sampling the speciality haman treatment, a refreshing and cleansing treatment which exfoliates and cleans the body before a moisterising and relaxing massage. The therapist listened to my requests before commencing with the wonderful treatment. I felt my body has been nourished and revitalising ready for the cold winter ahead.

Moments away from Selfridges, in the centre of the town, I cannot think of a more special place to stay in London in the run up to the festive season.

More information and book a stay at The Beaumont Hotel here.

Qbic Hotel, Whitechapel

If you’re looking for cheap accommodation in London, Qbic Hotel is definitely your best bet. Located in the up-and-coming Whitechapel area and at one end of the famous Brick Lane, Qbic is perfect for those wishing to explore the evolving East End of London.

Qbic reinvents the affordable hotel and it is far from bland and boring, with quirky touches and characterful features in the rooms and common spaces. As the name suggests, each room is cube-shaped with an all-in-one bed/bathroom pod, which is modern and sleek in its design. Our room, number 323, was located on the third floor and was one of the larger on offer. The design is basic but chic, with a focus on primary colours and experimental furniture. The bed was extremely comfortable and we thoroughly enjoyed the easy-access TV at the foot of the bed. Bathroom facilities were clean, compact and efficient. It is the ideal base for a weekend in London.

The artistic flair of the surrounding district certainly feels present in the hotel’s eclectic and creative lounge.  Here guests can unwind, watch sport on TV, read, work or have a snack from the open kitchen (complete with hi-tech vending machines). The breakfast array was very impressive, with a range of hot and cold options; I even spotted Chegworth Valley, the most delicious fresh-pressed apple juice.

Rooms at Qbic range in price from £59 to £84, and if you are lucky you can nab a room for a mere £1 with their regular competitions (100 rooms per month every month).

You needn’t stray far from the hotel, Whitechapel has a plethora of venues to enjoy. Here is a shortlist of my favourites in this part of town:

–          Food: Tayyabs, family-run Punjabi cuisine. Delicious, cheap and renowned. BYOB to go with your meal.

–          Drink: Apples and Pears cocktail bar, innovative and tasty, my favourite is the signature Martini-style Apples and Pears cocktail. For coffee, there are many independent cafes to choose from, try Love in a Cup or Vagabond for your morning flat white.

–          Culture: Wilton’s Music Hall is a beautiful renovated building with regular events and an atmospheric bar. Whitechapel Gallery is the place to see the most exciting exhibitions in East London.

Book a room at Qbic Hotel here.