Tranquillity awaits as I’m graciously ushered inside by the liveried doorman. With the abiding hustle and buskers of Leicester Square behind me and my suitcases discreetly whisked away, I’m feeling grateful. Even though the train ride from Somerset was British-rail-efficient, it’s been quite a long day.
My suite’s a delightful treat. There’s a spacious lounge, king-size bed, wardrobes-a-plenty and, although I didn’t use it, a decent size desk, a Marshall style iplayer alongside a locally controlled lighting and do-not-disturb feature that actually works.
Big, bold and beautiful, the generous bathroom was my door-opening surprise. Complete with a well-placed deep soaker tub, peacock blue floor-to-ceiling glass tiles, a walk-in rain shower and private bidet toilet with heated seat, it’s a bath lover’s dream.
Lucky for me, room service is speedy and on-the-mark with a simple Caesar salad and beef carpaccio for night one dining. Hereafter, I had drinks and meals in either. The Residence, a quiet haven with three, tastefully designed spaces for those with suite keys to socialize, dine, work or relax, or at Whittackers. The in-house menu doesn’t offer a lot of choice and the décor seems unexpectedly bland, but our chosen meals and the pleasant service get an 8 out of 10. Rumour has it there’s also a rooftop bar but it was too chilly for exploration during my stay.
Central to plenty of must-see landmarks, chic shops and boutiques, the Londoner is truly a modern-day oasis in the heart of the city’s west-end theatre district that blends residential charm with British hospitality in its 350 rooms and suites. Also worth discovering, “The “Retreat” a smashingly indulgent lower-level hotel space with a glamorous mood-lit pool, well-equipped gym, superfood clinic, full-service salon and spa, yoga classes and daily curated experiences.
Nice touches… tastefully dressed lobby hosts greet, handle check in and escort guests to their rooms plus a personalized call from the concierge the night before my departure to make sure the Londoner has exceeded expectations and to offer help with bags, and morning transportation. The best of both worlds!
Homefront Recommends
Bring your walking shoes
This is the city for exploring on foot, and if you’re prone to wanderlust and getting lost, there’s always a black cab at the ready. From the Londoner Hotel, Covent Garden is a 7-minute stroll, Trafalgar square and the Natural History Museum are around the block every side street eatery I come upon looks more unique and tempting than the last and Fortnum and Mason, Selfridges, Harrods and the like are within easy reach.
