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Penthouse living @ the Athenaeum
I recently wrote a post about how everyone is always asking me where to stay in London or can I get them a room “in the centre of London” (what do you mean you didn’t read it?, that’s it, I’m outta here, ok, you’ve got one more chance buster…), but of course, there are further questions in this vein…. what is the best hotel in London? ha, easy, easssssyyyyyyy everyone knows the best hotel in ole London town is the <deleted by martin’s boss in the pursuit of objectivity> everyone knows that, jeepers, it’s so obvious! Another question is “what is the best suite you’ve ever been in?” well, being a 
connoisseur is such a burden.
So the other day I was having some of the best coffee in London at the Athenaeum Hotel, if you haven’t had an afternoon tea there, please, please, pleaaaaaase, don’t worry about the obvious other guys – have the best afternoon treat here, seriously, in their beautiful tea lounge you cannot go wrong (book wayyyy in advance naturally). Anyways, I got, at last (it is always occupied) to view their Rooftop Penthouse suite. Ok, in your best Janice from Friends accent, say this “oh myyy godddddd” (did you do it?).
This is seriously a work of beauty, three bedrooms, yep, 1,2,3, all dripping in luxury and contemporary chic style, lounge, dining area, but, oh yessss the true jewel in this (do the Janice thing again), one of the most incredible panoramic views you will ever see in London… immediately in front is Green Park, and then ahead some of London’s gems purely for the viewing pleasure of whoever is staying in this unique and incredible suite.
On the left is the floor plan (click for closer looky) so you can see exactly what happens on the top floor of a stunning central London hotel.
Of course, the next time someone asks me which is the best penthouse suite in a London hotel, I will say the Athenaeum’s – until I see one at another hotel – you see, that’s something no-one considers when asking someone like me…. a connoisseur maybe, but a connoisseur with a phenomenal short-term memory (and a diplomat of course, depending on who asks me!, I know, should’ve been a politician!).
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ohhh it’s the little things we like
There’s a lot of hotels in the big smoke of course, but how many of them lend you a bicycle so you can go whizzing round the royal parks at your leisure? How many hotels get their honey directly from those royal parks? and and anndddd how many of those hotels have a garden bloomin err… blooming literally right up their very building?! Well, if you didn’t answer the Athenaeum by now, you clearly need to go and have a good butchers at their fine establishment…..
This is the honeycomb which is in the restaurant (season permitting of course) for each breakfast, the atmosphere is always err.. buzzing.
Of course the rest of the breakfast is spot on too, with a gorgeous array of various reserves & specialities based on seasonality.
And if after a great breakfast you need to work it all off, grab one of their bikes and go for a great jaunt around the parks!On your return from the parks, of course you cannot help but marvel at the vertical garden cascading up the building. The hotel even provides watering cans so you can join in on the gardening….. go on, you know you want to 
ok – final thing on these guys from me, one of their doorman holds an astonishing talent, he remembers your name instantly, every time I’ve been back he opens the door and says ‘Good to see you Mr Kleinman’ apparently he does this with everyone (although doesn’t call them Mr Kleinman, that would just be weird), and he just needs to learn your name the once – considering the 1000s that pass through the doors each day, it’s pretty darn impressive, but from a hotel like this – it only seems perfectly natural!
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