| The Metropolitan and More
We stayed in a corner suite overlooking Hyde Park. Almost every kind of pursuit takes place within its 625 acres all year round; jogging, horse-riding, rollerblading, swimming, boating, tennis, cycling, casual cricket and football and, of course, the leisurely stroll. Hyde Park is a fascinating world within London housing a number of famous attractions: the renowned Speaker's Corner, the romantic Serpentine Lake, Lido and Art Gallery and, farther into the Kensington Gardens' side, the Albert Memorial and the Diana Memorial Playground. Both sides are steeped in royalty: Henry VIII recalled Hyde Park from the monks of Westminster Abbey and used it for hunting. It is beautiful, landscaped yet natural, steeped in history and culture, and a priceless treat to look onto.
The view from dusk 'till dawn was exquisite with the vista stretching from the Albert Hall and far across into the Chiswick distance. The vibe here is obviously contemporary and the attention to comfort is built in beneath the carefully designed interiors. Space is plentiful and the mini bar has to rate among the very best in the world. My 'hands-off' approach was thrown into the dusky distance, as exclusive treats were ripped open with delight, while London lit up below like a massive Christmas tree; careful though, it's not gratis. After visiting various galleries nearby with a friend, a massage seemed like the perfect antidote to weary limbs, and with the hands of COMO Shambahla at my disposal, it seemed absurdly abstemious not to have one. The massage here really is the 'ultimate' of massages and the products totally addictive. The essential oils really do become essential. For a quick retail fix, the boutique off the lobby is great. The buyer has an eclectic mix of French and Thai accessories; from finely chipped chunky mother of pearl rings to that 'must have' long jet necklace. The spa products and incredible coffee table books are also in the boutique.
It's a real treat staying at The Metropolitan on Park Lane: it's modern, comfortable subtle in its detail and having three flat screen TV's in your L-shaped suite is one up on channel flicking. Like the enormous bed fitted with soft Egyptian cotton with a perfectly togged duvet, it's luxury without the frills or ornate paraphernalia so prevalent in many 'cozy' hotels. With sassy simplicity in mind, the sort of food that complements such style is, without any doubt, the sort that comes out of the famous kitchen of Nobu downstairs. It's a perfect match.
Nobu
Eating in Nobu is always a treat. The simple interiors and modest table displays don't jar with the array of dishes that you will no doubt savour: moreover, it is highly unlikely that you will dine here without a celebrity or three popping in for their lobster carpaccio or some caviar tempura.
The menu at Nobu is quite daunting, but the staff is extremely keen to assist with your choices and will determine from the outset what style of Nobu cuisine you are interested in; the wine and sake menu is fully loaded too. It is difficult not to order a little of everything, as each mouthful is a taste sensation and explodes the buds from one plate to the next. One minute you have reached perfection with a foie gras miso soup, and the next you are orbiting on snow crab. The sushi is indescribably perfect and the new-style yellow tail sashimi with jalapeno has the xxx factor.
What makes a stay here combined with 'dining-in' so special is that, when you take the lift from the restaurant up to your room, it really feels like you're going up to bed: a little like home. You don't have to circumnavigate any other reclining guests or pass porters and a brightly lit lobby; you take to your suite or room in peace and this is what The Metropolitan hotel exudes: a sense of peace. However, if you really didn't want to leave the comfort of your room or suite then a Bento Box is available in-room.
The weather was kind and clear the following morning, and the sun rose with a wintry softness, lifting itself with much appreciated short day intensity behind the noble park. Breakfast was laid out in our chic suite with notable finesse (the fruit platter was a work of art), and sipping a frothy cappuccino to that view was, well, pretty awesome.
We ended our stay with a stroll across to Hyde Park Corner with the angel of peace above Wellington's Arch and all that stands before her. The Arch, of course, commemorates Wellington's defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo. There is a very rich crop of sculptures in the central island alone: an extraordinary memorial of vertical bronze sculptures, each inscribed with text and images to commemorate the relationship between England and New Zealand; on the south side is a highly symbolic design in Bathurst granite, which represents sculptures depicting events and personnel involved in World War I, and above the east and west portals are bronze bas-relief panels which depict the activities and campaigns of the Australian Infantry Forces. It is well worth spending a humbling morning eyeing them over; it was also wonderful serendipity that we arrived in time for a spectacular sight of the Household cavalry returning from Changing Of The Guard.
For "going out and staying in" you couldn't do much better than a stay at The Metropolitan with pampering on-hand from top to toe. A Valentine's treat perhaps?
|
