the charmed life @ London’s best kept boutique hotel secret…

My Spanish friend yesterday told me that I led a charmed life – how would I know? – I don’t have another to compare it to, anyway, his thoughts won’t be changed when he reads about my absolutely faberoonie lunchtime appointment at the St James’s Hotel & Club. The Spanish have a delightful proverb which more or less mas o menos translates into ‘You were  born with a rose in your bottom’, the Brits of course, have the similar ‘You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth’, I prefer the Spanish! I don’t think this is true of me by the way, but certainly when I tucked into my phenomenally palate-tastic, flavoursome Lune Valley Lamb at the St James’s restaurant; Seven Park Place by William Drabble I certainly felt very privileged……

Soon after ordering the meal began by our delightful & friendly waitress bringing us a pre-starter, roasted salmon with beetroot, it was a small surprise (but hugely welcome) beginning but with immense flavour (ooh look at me, next I’ll writing Michael Winner’s column).

For the actual starter, Scallops. I remember my wife had these when we once dined there (I knowww what you’re thinking, look – it was a special night – trust me I never go out any more!), and she hasn’t stopped raving about them since, they were of course super yummy, both my host; George & I cleared them away in seconds!

And then, the real treat came… I had the Lamb (okk, the Assiette of Lune valley lamb with confit tomato & basil), when it arrived we were in mid-conversation (I can, ahem, speak a lot!) yet the smell of the lamb was so immense I literally had to hold back my stomach from it trying to lift the cutlery itself. As you can see with the pic, it is different cuts of lamb – Braised Middle Neck, Best-end, tongue, and then with sweetbread, confit tomato, and confit potato cooked with lamb fat. I promise you it was better than it sounds. I eat every last morsel, and it could easily be the one of the best meals I have ever eaten. I particularly revelled in the presentation – loved the best-end with the green edging especially (looked like turf around it- sorry chef, I mean that in a good way).

And yessss, I had a dessert too, the Milk Choc Mousse with blood orange jelly. Look – life is short, it is for living okkkk. They know what they’re doing at the Seven Park Place by William Drabble and please guys – keep on doing it. The great thing (ok, one of the great things) is that you feel incredibly exclusive in the restaurant, there are just a few tables which then spill out onto the stunning bar; absolutely the place to dazzle, impress, or simply have a great fine dining experience (hint hint – when can I come back guys?).

What’s that you say? this is a london hotel site? ah yes, err, I was forgetting myself. The hotel itself ok, ok, am getting there! The staff are truly exceptional characters, my contact George is a legend amongst the London Hotel industry – a ledge I tells ya – his colleauge Kate, hugely entertaining, the barman – an absolute character-extraordinaire – oozing charm & wit, and of course; the ‘lovely’ Ida (where do these nicknames come from? well-deserved mind, & if my wife is reading, no, I didn’t create the nickname – honest). 

Oh ookkkkkk, and the hotel has bedrooms too!  Amazing sized rooms for a London hotel (especially when tucked away in a discreet sidestreet just off Piccadilly! – in fact, you’d be forgiven for even forgetting you’re in the main hub of everything, the hotel is absolutely the definition of tranquility itself, and also by the way - there is an alley-way, that get this leads directly into Green Park – brilliant).

Super kingsize beds in all the rooms, and a stunning balcony leading out to your own private seating area – perfect for the glorious summer London is sure to have (ahhh, I’ve jinxed it haven’t I!).

Ok so in summation, not a bad hotel, joking, am jookkking….. This is a true gem in London’s canon of boutique hotels, it is a boutique london hotel in every sense; small, discreet, unique, select, quirky, bespoke, fun, entertaining, a real real delight and a huge breathe of fresh air in the london hotel set, if you’re looking for a truly special stay in the centre of london, stay here, you’ve got my charmed-life guarantee

the london summer has landed

The summer has landed people, it’s here, it’s in London, and it’s great. Our office is based near St James’s Park so am often walking through there to see some of our London hotels. I strolled through there this very afternoon on my way to St James’s Hotel & Club, and there were shiny happy people everywhere, picnicking, ice-creaming, hobnobbing (what? I said hobnobbing), and of course my envy rose when I saw several couples splashing around the old vino (with their tesco value triple sarnies) – who are these people I thought, don’t they have jobs? I cannot recall going to the park on a summer’s day without a care in the world, cracking open a fabbo rioja, and just kicking back (am gonna do it tomorrow, who’s with me?). Am a jealous really, oh how I long for the bohemian life of writing poetry and sleeping on the corner of Jermyn Street, begging for a thrupenny piece for my supper squire…. (sorry, I was imagining the effects of the Rioja, the sun, the hobnobbing….).