| Baglioni Hotel - London
Blink and you may just miss one of London's most exceptional addresses.
At 60 Hyde Park Gate, with views overlooking our favourite Royal palace and gardens, Kensington Palace, resides a unique slice of Italian blended luxury 'boutiquedom'; the Baglioni Hotel London. Its discreet front of house belies its opulent, gilt-edged, luxuriant interiors; providing guests with the uplifting nuances of Italy's finest in an environment that offers both scrumptious luxury with desired discretion. This petit-luxe gem is the preferred choice of many celebrities along with those just wishing to indulge in an alternative to London's block-busting five star grandioso.
Thus, at eight month's pregnant, the Royal Suite felt like the ultimate suite-retreat for a pampering and uplifting stay; a sort of grand finale for the Top6Trips with a 'babymoon' indulgence package to boot. Having recently been revived in Monaco, I chose to be preened in-suite, opting for a much needed pedicure and manicure. The Rejuvenation Spa will come to you and, with a suite such as this one; there are several reclining opportunities you simply can't afford to ignore.
The Royal Suite
The space felt more like a Royal apartment than a suite, the sort of apartment that one dreams about having at an address that most just can't afford. It covers a staggering 240 sq metres, including three bedrooms, four bathrooms and two outstanding reception rooms, plus a terrace that overlooks the glorious palace and, right now, emerald green grounds. The horse chestnut trees were at their most verdant with the immaculate lawns flourishing under the warm Spring sunshine. This is a view to invite your friends, colleagues and family to share with you because it really is something to celebrate. What's more it's an ideal entertainment venue.
The sweeping suite benefits from floors of polished dark wood throughout while the windows and French doors open out onto the view and furnished terrace. The sexy suite bar is well stocked with decanters of the finest spirits while your personal butler is always on-hand to shake up a cocktail or two. It is also perfect for a family of a few or two plus a nanny. If the Royal Suite is a little out of budget then you will be pleased to know that all the other 'mini-me' suites and rooms within the hotel offer the same complimentary services and amenities, including a personal Butler Service and 24 hour room service. Many of these smaller suites and rooms offer the same view, while many have four-poster beds as well as an ever-so-cosy fireplace.
The Royal Suite is decorated with an Olympian elegance: the immaculately polished dark wooden floors play the perfect host to the elegant furniture that sits in stylish cream silks and golden velvets atop its almost reflective surface, while a glorious Murano chandelier takes charge of the evening's light in the middle sitting room. All the lighting is atmospherically 'dimmer-controlled'. Though sumptuous in its lavishly appointed details, the suite flows with a seductive subtlety, there really is not too much of anything - except champagne perhaps! You want for nothing on the high-tech front either, with plasma screens in all the rooms, funky hidden sound systems; tucked away state-of-the-art 'office away from the office' necessities; while excellently stocked mini-bars are placed in each room. There are also original marble-surround fireplaces, lit by your butler on request - the perfect antidote for cool nights. The adaptability of this suite can adjust with ease to any desired ambience, from the formal to the totally chilled - or both in one day as we discovered.
The bathrooms appear endlessly on-tap. You can never have enough bathrooms, especially when they're as pleasingly pamper-prone as these... four. Black marble is the dominant theme while expert lighting, beaten silver basins, and limestone walk-in showers are supremely standard. My favourite bathroom treat was my double gift-set: two generous box sets of pre-natal delights - sculpting creams, safe essential oils, deep cleansers, toners, progressive 'crème parfait' for regressive results: all wrapped up respectively in Carita and Decleor shiny white boxes. Stunning.
The Prime Position
So with nails and feet preened like a princess I had two options for the afternoon. Turn right and I would land up in Harvey Nichols or turn left and I could enjoy the best of British high street shopping. For that afternoon I chose Harvey Nichols, a five-minute drive away, and was whisked off in the hotel's Maserati Quattroporte (comes with the Royal Suite). A little farther down from H.N is Harrods, not to mention a couture collector's ultimate boutique gathering in one holy street - Sloane Street. With only Bonpoint to interest me I headed back for a deep soak in our capacious spa- bath in bathroom number two, surrounded by soft scented candles; prior to dinner in the relaxed, stylish, sophisticated though undeniably groovy, Brunello Restaurant. The following morning, while the husband was holding a 'formal' meeting (it switched with seamless ease) in the second sitting room, I headed for Kensington High Street, where Jigsaw, Urban Outfitters, Top Shop and many more besides house their flagship stores in true hope and glory style.
Retail therapy aside, the hotel is superbly located for some of London's most sublime cultural experiences. Only minutes from the Baglioni Hotel is the Victorian architectural icon, the Albert Hall: one of England's most treasured and revered buildings and recognised the world over as a uniquely magnificent venue for a variety of performances, from classical concerts to rock, from ballet to opera as well as hosting lavish banquets. The Proms concerts have been hosted here since 1941, a highlight of the British summer and, for many, a lifetime experience. If this is not enough then just cross the road from the hotel's front doors and enter the quintessentially perfected royal gardens of Kensington Palace. Besides, with a few purrs from the Maserati you could be almost anywhere in London that your heart desires.
Dining in and around the corner...
We thoroughly enjoyed a casual dinner by the window in our velvet coated uber-covetable homely honey-toned armchairs, choosing classic Italian dishes from the comprehensive though unfussy Brunello Lounge and Restaurant menu. Grilled squid with polenta followed by baked sea bass beside lashings of sweet baby tomatoes, seasonal vegetables, our own bottle of fabulous rich olive oil and so it continues in true Mediterranean style. The open-plan design of the lobby, lounge, bar area and restaurant is extremely inviting, enticing and stress-busting. The affordability factor of dining in is also extremely refreshing while the lack of formality lends the entire experience to being quite homely, well super-swish homely, together with a charming Italian vibe.
Around the corner from the hotel, Babylon cooks up quite an impressive cuisine storm. Located divinely atop the Kensington Roof Gardens, the views are awesome while the food, again somewhat relaxed, is utterly delicious. On a summer's day the terrace here really is a great venue for enjoying good food and wine at affordable prices. There are, of course, many other celebrated restaurants within the area and the personalised 24hr concierge service is totally switched-on and tuned-in to London's finest fare.
Why choose the Baglioni Hotel? It is in the right place at the right time at the right price.
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