| The Palace of Mayfair - Claridge's
If you have never ascended the grand 19th century sweeping staircase to spend the night in a suite at Claridge's, then make it one of your top luxe hotel objectives. It is here that you will connect with the quintessentially patrician side of British culture, viz "refinement... of mind, tastes and manners".
Upon entering this opulent establishment you should first pause at the masterfully executed portrait of Mrs Claridge, take note of the polished steel statue of a deer, commissioned by Oswald Milne in 1929, and then turn your head to the remarkable, wide staircase and imagine Fred Astaire descending in white tie and tails with Ginger Rogers in a white palliated chiffon gown; then hone-in on the acres of black and white marble squares beneath your feet and allow their waltz to unfold in your mind's eye. Then, glide over to the cushioned seating area of the foyer and take note of the outrageous Dale Chihuly's silver and white light sculpture that seems almost alive in its snake-like detail. This is Claridge's, 'The Palace of Mayfair', a landmark hotel that has maintained this glamorous appeal with swinging results, combining the best of the original with the best ever since.
Prime Position
You really are in the heart of Mayfair here and, although you could flag down a black cab every minute, you don't need to for some time. Bond Street is only a few away, so, too, is Berkeley Square, Park Lane, Piccadilly and Oxford Street. For many years the prime location of this hotel has drawn the eccentric elite including the likes of Emily Dutton, musician, artist and Red Cross worker; tall, strikingly good looking with a penchant for fine fashion, she chose Claridge's as her London abode while touring Europe and continued to do so thereafter. Emily seldom retired before 3.30am, sipping martinis in the bar surrounded by admiring royals and the high society, and for her in-vogue physique, shopped daily on Bond Street. Little has changed except the names of the beautiful clients. It would not be strange to see Laura Bailey, model and muse, ascending the stairs, or Lulu Guiness, handbag designer, who recently stated that Claridge's was her favourite hotel because when she passes through the doors into the glamorous lobby she "always feels a thrill. You enter a wonderful world of sophistication and wonderful service".
Stylish Updates
Claridge's is committed to preserving its unique character and has, therefore, commissioned some of the world's leading interior designers to blend its grandeur with the 21st Century; demonstrating uncompromising attention to detail to astonishing effect. The old has merged into the new imperceptibly and the result maintains the essence of this truly English hotel. Art Deco suites are shamelessly accurate and comfortable, so too are the more traditional ones, like the one we stayed in, designed and decorated by David Linley, the Queen's nephew and leading furniture and interior designer. The effect is both modern and classical, a result that will last for many generations but still in tune with the decade that so adored this grand establishment; the sultry, swinging mega-stylish trend setting twenties. Gone is the dated, garish carpet of the eighties and, in it its place, smooth caramel with geometric lines framing the edges and vast bed surrounds. It works, and the change for sore eyes is refreshing. The bathrooms are solid, bold and generous with timeless appeal and chunky fittings. The weighty white towels and gowns and thickly cushioned slippers are all indicative of the attention that is given to ensuring quality that embraces discreet comfort. These are slippers worth packing.
On the Saturday morning, after a sublime breakfast of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs beneath the exotic light sculpture, I stumbled across a wedding in the making: teams of workers were building flower arrangements, laying enormous round tables and getting the stage ready for a brass band. The Ballroom's reception area was designed in the 30's with vivid light and a real sense of ultimate occasion. What a wedding this would be!
Claridge's is an hotel for all occasions, particularly birthdays, banquets, balls and weddings and is perhaps a venue unsurpassed for such events in this historically grand city.
My favourite rendezvous here has to be the recently refurbished bar near the eponymous Gordon Ramsay restaurant; The Macanudo Fumoir. It has the nostalgic decadent sense of occasion born out of the stylish twenties. Marlene Dietrich's portrait in black and white, her beauty coyly hiding behind black veil and liquid smoke, hangs above the groovy bar, while a barman makes, perhaps one of the most incredible cocktails I have ever enjoyed: a Claridge's special with limes and fresh dates, not too sweet and simply divine. Reclining in maroon velvet, surrounded by aubergine coloured leather walls, icons from the decade of decadence and soft candlelight, is the perfect spot to imbibe before a fabulous meal á la Gordon Ramsay. Here, we favour a table in the glazed semi-private areas above the sumptuous dining room, with rich interiors and low lighting. The 'chefs table' overlooking the kitchen seats six or eight and allows you to focus primarily on this talented chef's cuisine, while taking in the notoriously dramatic scenes of one of London's most talked about kitchens.
This is Claridge's, rich in design, splashed in splendour and timeless in its sense of traditional British appeal. It was known to all in 'the know' as 'The Palace of Mayfair' in the first half of the last century, and, to all intents and purposes, it still should be.
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