Review: Corinthia London

3 years ago

How does one of London’s grandest hotels stay off-radar?

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With travel restrictions continuing and winter approaching, Maria Boyle checks in to Corinthia London, for a weekend of wellbeing, relaxation and a spot of Christmas shopping.

Corinthia London Review

STAY

Corinthia London is one of the capital’s most luxurious 5-star hotels located just off London’s Embankment and overlooking The Thames, The London Eye and many of Westminster’s historic buildings. A former Ministry of Defence building, and before that it was the 19^th century Hôtel Métropole, it beautifully combines the traditional grandeur of the Victorian era with refined elegance and contemporary chic touches throughout.

As guests enter the hotel, they are instantly transported in to a world of luxury with a twist – it’s the opposite and stiff and stuffy – think stylish and light interiors, beautiful artwork, teamed with exceptional staff who genuinely love their jobs and provide amongst the best service you will experience in any London hotel. With its on-site florist to the four-floor spa and gym and luxury hair salon (highly recommend the red carpet blow dry) it is the perfect destination for 48 hours of unadulterated luxury. At the heart of the hotel lies the David Collins-designed Crystal Moon Lounge which features one of the largest crystal Baccarat chandeliers guests will ever see. It’s the perfect setting for guests to enjoy Afternoon Tea.

While the hotel feels like the shiny new kid on the block, it isn’t – it’s gearing up to celebrate its 10-year anniversary next year. Its 283 guest rooms (out of which 51 are suites and seven are penthouses) are sleek and sophisticated, light and bright, with punches of colour. Its exquisite Carrara marble bathrooms include a TV installed at the end of the bath for bath time viewing.

DO

For those who do want to venture out, the choices are plentiful: culture, shopping, adventure or a simple walk in one of the Royal parks. It’s a beautiful stroll to Covent Garden famous cobbled piazza for Christmas shopping (its market is still on when lockdown restrictions ease in December hopefully, and its 60ft hand-picked Christmas tree lights will be glowing with 30,000 festive lights along with 115,000 lights sparkling across the Piazza and its adjoining streets).

For sightseeing, Trafalgar Square is seconds away, St James’s Park, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the National Portrait Gallery and the lively South Bank and the Tate Modern are all within easy walking distance.

Returning to the hotel, one of its main draws is its expansive Espa Life spa featuring 17 treatment rooms, a private spa suite, a glass-encased sauna, two pools, marble heated lounges and private sleep pods. Its first class in-house team of expert therapists, naturopaths, acupuncturists, osteopaths and physiotherapists will work to create tailored wellness itineraries to address a guest’s needs for a one-of-a-kind wellness experience. And boy do they deliver. The hotel has partnered with skincare expert Dr Barbara Sturm – who counts Gwyneth Paltrow, Bella Hadid and Emma Stone among her clients – and offers guests six facials, one of which is the Super Anti-Aging Facial. Hands down, one of the best facials in London. To release some of the stress accrued during lockdown, opt for an Inner Calm Massage to alleviate tension, quieten mind and restored balance which is equally as brilliant.

EAT

Sunday lunch at The Northall

Kerridge’s Bar & Grill

The hotel has two excellent restaurants: there’s Kerridge’s Bar & Grill run by Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge. Set in a large high-ceilinged room, the walls are covered with brightly coloured artworks curated by Liam West. Here guests can enjoy a sophisticated and distinctly British menu features a show-stopping Pig’s Cheek Pie, and Rib of Beef alongside Kerridge’s famous fish and chips, which are regarded as one of the best in the UK. They also serve a wonderful selection of seasonal cocktails alongside their regular repertoire of drinks and fantastic wine list.

The Northall

This is the hotel’s main restaurant serving breakfast in the beautiful, bright room with floor to ceiling windows. It offers a seasonal menu playing to Europe’s culinary strengths under award-winning executive chef André Garrett. Dishes include Hand-Cut Strozzapreti with Sauce Supreme and Autumn Truffle, and Braised Turbot, Hen of the Woods Mushroom, Truffle Purée and a smoked Velouté. The two or three-course Sunday lunch with Chateaubriand is phenomenal and most definitely one the best roasts in London. Top off your Sunday lunch or dinner with multiple visits to the dessert table.

The Garden

For those who want to meet friends when lockdown rules ease, there’s also The Garden, a semi-al fresco lounge with outside fireplaces and cosy blankets to keep you warm. It’s a great spot for all day dining with its Mediterranean-inspired menu, including crudi, salads, Seafood Mixed Grill and melt in the mouth Burrata with Heirloom Tomatoes, Broad Beans and Peas.

For guests wanting to continue their evening (past curfew), Corinthia London has just launched an innovative in-room cocktail service ‘Drinks to your Door’, which involves a mixologist and cocktail cart arriving at your bedroom door so that guests can enjoy a digestif in the comfort of your own room post dinner. It would be rude not to…

THE FINAL WORD

A weekend at Corinthia London will be one of the best you will ever spend in the capital. As soon as guests enter its doors they are transported in to their very own luxury bubble and a world away from Covid and ‘normal’ life.