|
LASplash.com: International Athenaeum Hotel London Review - Luxury and Location all in One Hotel By Splash Magazines Staff Writer
The Athenaeum hotel is an excellent place to stay when visiting London for so many reasons. From the moment you walk into the Athenaeum, you'll know you're not in a generic or typical hotel. You’ll be warmly welcomed by the friendly doorkeeper as you stroll into the exquisite ground floor lobby which features 135,000 mother of pearl buttons used for decoration among many other quirky yet elegant accents throughout the hotel. The romantically homey rooms are warm and cozy. The decor is English elegance at its best (floral prints and ceramic bric-a-brac abound). The Athenaeum has suites in a high rise building as well as 30 luxury one bedroom and two bedroom apartments located behind the main hotel in Edwardian era townhouse buildings. Stay in one of the apartments and you’ll feel like a real Londoner stepping out of your flat and a few steps onto Piccadilly road with everything London has to offer within your reach.
In addition to all of this, the hotel also offers a plethora of perks such as evening turndown, bathrobes, wet bars stocked with snacks and beverages and an on-site full service spa & hair salon, tea room, bar with lounge (The Whiskey Bar) and restaurant (The Damask). After a long day of shopping and sightseeing in London or after surviving through hours of harrowing business meetings (whatever brings you to London), be sure to stop by the tea room for a “cuppa” Earl Grey and some scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream or delicious finger sandwiches. On the other hand you can check out the Whiskey Bar and try one of their famous home infused Vodka’s. To top everything off you can hang out and relax in the Athenaeum’s own “Secret Garden”, –a sunken garden brimming with roses.
The Athenaeum features a restaurant touted as “Best of British” featuring quintessentially English cuisine including an all day menu that has delicious main courses such as Innis and Gunn battered haddock fillet with chips (also known as the classic “Fish and Chips”) or sample the char grilled Scottish rib eye steak with hand cut chips and bearnaise sauce. The restaurant is great for breakfast before a long day of sightseeing in London or a lunch break in between business meetings. Speaking of business meetings -The Athenaeum hotel offers several meeting rooms depending on the size of the meeting from small to large. The stylish yet high tech rooms include plasma screens, broadband access, private entrances, private dining along with walnut and silk wall coverings highlighting the décor.
The guest list at the Athenaeum reads like a “who’s who” of the world of stage and film. Many stars including Samuel L. Jackson, Richard Dreyfuss, Natalie Portman, Mia Farrow, Michael Douglas and many more celebrities have stayed at the Athenaeum. Many of the celebrities that have slipped through the doors of the Athenaeum hotel have stayed in the discreet apartments in the back where the appeal is the privacy.
Last but not least the Athenaeum hotel enjoys a prime London location, across from Green Park near Buckingham Palace. London’s best shops, restaurants and theaters, as well as many of its most noted attractions, are within walking distance. The financial district is a short taxi ride. For reservations, call The Athenæum at 800-335-3300. FAX: 800-335-3200
Published Jun 5, 2008 © Copyright 2003-2004 by LA Splash.com |
