Tag Archives: Park Lane

Four Seasons Park Lane Spa and Restaurant Amaranto

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I have ticked off many Four Seasons establishments abroad from my to-visit list and yet the hotel closest to home remained a mystery to me. Park Lane is lined with swanky hotels attracting businessmen and tourists… hidden just behind these obvious choices on Hamilton Place is the Four Seasons. Less ostentatious with a restrained luxury, this hotel is for guests desiring splendour without wishing to show off about it… definitely my favourite kind of central city accommodation.

As much as I was tempted to look round the rooms and admire the stylish classic design, I resisted in favour of the spa. Up in the lift to the tenth floor, the spa at this Four Seasons is certainly one of a kind, offering a light and lavish rooftop sanctuary that includes the spa, lounge and fitness centre. The fabulous London skyline surrounds the building and a different view is available in every room. Up here it is miraculously calm and peaceful, you can’t hear the cars below nor the chatter from the lobby. It made me ponder why so many hotels shove their spas in the basement, light and elevation brings a natural serenity that instantly refreshes you, especially if you are a busy Londoner wishing for some time out.

There are nine treatment rooms, vitality pools, steam rooms and saunas for hotel and spa guests to enjoy. After my tour I would have been very happy just to hang out up here and read a magazine, but I was lucky enough to be booked in for a personalised facial. Guests are given a cup of tea and cleansing flannel before treatments and asked to change into soft fluffy white robes. The changing rooms are like a beauty parlour with every toiletry you could need.

It was perhaps the best facial I’ve ever had, and it doesn’t surprise me to hear it is one of the most popular on offer here. The therapist really homed in on what was needed for my skin rather than demanding I try something particular. The curtains closed, the lights dimmed and I lay on a soft warm bed ready to be pampered. After a deep cleanse, exfoliation and extraction, relaxing massage and specialised mask, I felt fresh, radiant and youthful. ESPA products were used, and my therapist allowed me to pick out my favourite scents for the facial. To complete the treatment, my scalp was massaged with an enriching Moroccan oil treatment, to correct scalp skin imbalances and relieve tension and stress. It was relaxing and my hair was left with a lustrous shine and silky softness.

I got back in the lift to travel back down to the ground floor for an Italian dinner in Amaranto. It was a feast… spotting most of my favourite Italian dishes on the menu I had to opt for four courses, which in retrospect was perhaps a little greedy! After some crumbly 24 month aged Parmesan to nibble on with our Prosecco we chose starters, as advised by our waiter: flavoursome Culatello DOP with a traditional Gnocco Fritto and Burrata with smoked Tuscan tomatoes. It was the Burrata’s addictively creamy taste and texture that led me to almost lick the plate clean.

Homemade pastas are available in two sizes: both the ravioli with ricotta and spinach and the rigatoni carbonara with crispy cured pork jowl were delicious, light and simple with fresh ingredients and vibrant flavour. The meat course came next and I would say, if you are toying with the idea of pasta vs meat, go for pasta in the summer months. Crispy pork belly arrived with glazed carrots, peas and fresh marjoram. Balsamic glazed beef fillet with smoked aubergine and wilted spinach was the ideal man’s meal, rich and heavy, and it went down well with my guest.

If you can manage dessert, I’d stick with something simple, though the six miniatures did tempt me the tiramisu won me over eventually. It was huge, really far too big, which was a shame because it looked beautiful and tasted good but I just felt overwhelmed by the whole thing.

We left the Four Seasons fully satisfied. My experiences here prove this hotel is much more than just luxury accommodation and spa, it also has a restaurant really worth visiting.

More information and book here.

The Dorchester, Afternoon Tea

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Dining at the Dorchester has always been a distant dream for me, it’s regal reputation is worldwide and it grows in stature year after year. It serves perhaps the most prestigious afternoon tea in London and I had high expectations for our visit counting down the days for weeks before. It did not disappoint.

Stepping inside from the street, you are instantly transported to a bygone era of classic manners and lavish decor. The velvet is the softest, the silk the very finest, and the flowers the biggest in bloom. We were escorted to a quiet corner table, perfect for a voyeur like me. Out waiter’s infectious enthusiasm is memorable even now, he ensured every part of our tea was perfect.

There are several varieties of afternoon tea to choose from at the Dorchester, and their specially designed Chelsea Flower Show themed tea always receives critical acclaim. We tried the classic champagne Dorchester tea, served all year round with a delightful selection of sandwiches, scones and Parisian patisseries.

After a glass of Laurent Perrier Rose Champagne, we were offered a plate of immaculate sandwiches, each with a different filling, freshly-made, the bread in exact crustless rectangles. The flavours are far superior to any I’ve tasted before: seafood, roast chicken and tarragon, egg mayonnaise, cucumber and cream cheese and smoked salmon. On hearing I was a non-fish eater our waiter zoomed away, returning immediately with a selection of substitutions. These were more than adequate, especially the Italian mozzarella and tomato option.

Along with the delicate brew of Dorchester blend tea, came warm scones straight out of the oven, homemade jams and Cornish clotted cream. And then the pieces de resistance, the crown jewels… the cakes. I appreciated the modest servings which allow you to taste without overeating. Even the simplest patisseries were utterly divine, carefully constructed and expertly assembled. The best cake would have to be the chocolate coffee cup, though the strawberry and white chocolate layered torte was exquisite and the pistachio pastry was unique and delicious. The scones were perhaps my favourite though, buttery and crumbly (both plain and fruit), seriously extravagant loaded with thick cream and jam.

Unable to let us leave empty handed, our waiter presented us with a takeaway handbag of edible goodies.

Guests at the Dorchester expect the very best – the afternoon tea certainly delivers.

More information and book here.