Smack Dab in the Middle of London
By Kylie MacKenzie
Liveried doormen whisk away our bags. Sparkling, modern freshness dances with traditional grandeur as we enter the Corinthia Hotel’s flower-filled lobby and head for the lounge. It feels like an elegant living room with its eclectic mix of furniture, bespoke artwork and a stunning Baccarat chandelier by Parisian designer Chafik Gasmi. Well-behaved children with their grandmas are still enjoying a quintessential British afternoon tea next to local socialites and well-heeled weekenders sipping early evening cocktails. Calm and tranquility are the order of the day!
Rated amongst England’s finest five-star hotels, the Corinthia Hotel London mirrors the energy, style and history of the bustling downtown core. Its beautifully restored premises on Whitehall Place are home to 294 rooms, rumoured to be the largest in town. Included: 40 elegant suites and seven well-crafted penthouses, each with classic Victorian architecture, tall windows for natural light and sweeping views across popular landmarks.
Far from the maddening crowd
A weekend destination for tony Londoners, the hotel hosts a 3300 square foot ESPA Life spa and wellness retreat. Housed across four floors, the lower level has an extensive thermal floor with silver steel swimming pool, vitality pool with air and water massage jets, black mosaic steam room, a grand ice fountain, experience showers and heated marble relaxation beds.
An all-enclosed glass-encased amphitheatre sauna is positioned centrally with 360-degree views for us to check out who is who. Add in a hair salon by Daniel Galvin, 17 spa treatment rooms, a private spa suite, nail studio and private sleep pods, and it earns its reputation as a little piece of “getaway heaven”.
La dolce vita
The hotel’s two world-class restaurants, the Northall where Executive Chef Garry Hollihead serves unique and wholesome ingredients from artisanal producers and Massimo, the modern Italian restaurant, are crowd-pleasing favourites night after night. They’re so popular you’ll need to call ahead for a Friday/Saturday reservation.
Our favourites; the Garden Lounge, where you can enjoy all day dining alfresco in season, and Bassoon. Inspired by a 1920 art deco music room, Bassoon has an open fireplace and plenty of date-night charm. Don’t miss the barman’s theatrically created molecular cocktails and colonial-inspired drinks from the boutique spirits library.
Expect to be impressed!
