Arrival/Check-In: We arrived in Southampton, crossing the Atlantic on board the Queen Mary 2. As Cunard does not pre-arrange car pick-ups prior to departure, I decided to book my reservation with LimoPlus per a recent article I read on globaltravelerusa.com. The trip from Southampton to London was quick and easy with our driver, Kumaran, taking back ways when needed. When we arrived at the Corinthia London, we were welcomed like we were coming home — this was my third visit since the property opened in 2011. As we had a lot of bags from the crossing, full of casual and elegant attire, staff took our bags and swiftly escorted us to our suite, one of the property’s London Suites.
Guest Quarters: The room was lovely and the building painstakingly restored. It was formerly part of the War Department, housing Winston Churchill’s office (at least when he was not in the underground bunker — worth a tour if you are near 10 Downing Street). Prior to the Crown’s ownership, the property was the Hotel Metropol.
The suite was bright with clean, white walls and trim. We entered through a large door into a hallway. Immediately to the left, a powder room featured an exquisite built-in door that matched the façade of the wall. Down the hallway our path branched left and right (notice the art all over the suite).
To the left, an expansive living room held an open-sided bookcase that divided the room from a full dining room. Perusing the books, I noticed they were entertaining coffee table types. This is where I housed my command center with my laptop, briefcase and chargers; my only complaint was the distance from the electrical outlets to the dining table, which meant my cables stretched across the passage all the time.
To the right, another hallway led to a massive bathroom with twin sinks, a shower and tub. The shower, once I got used to the operation of the nozzles and faucets, was superb, with lots of water pressure and various spraying options.
The bedroom was equally large with a comfortable king-sized bed and lots of pillows and comforters. The dressing room seemed to be right out of a design book, with plenty of room for everything and creative shelving for luggage. A vanity with a mirror separated the his and hers sections, and the generous space made it easy to prepare for a night on the town.
Services/Amenities: The entertainment and dining at the Corinthia are a must. We enjoyed drinks and dinner at Kerridge’s Bar & Grill where the place was hopping, the staff was there to please, and the menu was as unique as the building itself. I had the venison from the restaurant’s rotisserie, and I understand all the dishes were equally tasty. The sommelier and I selected a Chablis to go with our starters, and it was perfect. Pauline and Denis Banks, whom we met on a previous cruise, were our guests, and we had an enjoyable time. Another night we retired to the Bassoon bar for crafted cocktails and shared a yummy cheese and meat platter accompanied by crispy bread.
Other lovely things to do include the spa and a proper British tea where you can speak to the on-site Futurists in Residence regarding your questions and thoughts about future trends.
TOP TAKEAWAYS:
◆ Did I tell you about my butlers? They helped with a charger converter, using the hotel car (a lovely Jag) and other great services — you just text them. Giulia was helpful!
◆ Corinthia London may be one of the best-kept secrets, with a location across the river from the London Eye and walkable to everything.
CORINTHIA HOTEL LONDON
Whitehall Place
Westminster, London
SW1A 2BD
United Kingdom
tel 44 20 7930 8181
corinthia.com
Read This Next
Review: W Dubai – Mina Seyahi
March 2024
Mar 20, 2024All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Mar 28, 2024AmaWaterways Debuts Specialty Summer Cruises in Europe
AmaWaterways recently unveiled its lineup of experiences and exclusive offers for its 2024 Summer European river cruise season, and the list includes 20 Celebration of Wine Cruises, with two hosted by Samantha Brown and Chef Joanne Weir; and three Loyalty Appreciation Cruises.
Sponsored Content
Why Buy Annual Travel Insurance?
One affordable plan can protect an entire year of trips: business or pleasure, short or long, domestic or international.
March 2024
Mar 27, 2024Udaipur Unveiled: A Walking Tour in Rajasthan’s Most Romantic City Reveals Its Many Layers
Anyone who makes their way to Rajasthan in northern India has likely heard of Udaipur’s allure. The city revered for its lakes and marble palaces is considered by many who know not only the Indian subcontinent but the planet as a whole to be the most spectacularly romantic city on Earth.
Daily
Mar 27, 2024Go Island Hopping in Spain with Meliá Hotels International
It’s time to start planning summer travel. Consider a chic island getaway off the coast of Spain. Spain’s Meliá Hotels International offers a collection of hotels throughout the islands that highlight the Spanish lifestyle.
Sponsored Content
L’Ermitage Beverly Hills: A Discreet Hideaway Awaits
Nestled between the palm-lined boulevards of residential Beverly Hills, L'Ermitage evokes a sense of refined elegance and unparalleled service. This Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond haven continues to captivate discerning travelers and Angelenos with its unwavering dedication to personalized hospitality.
Daily
Mar 27, 2024“Deal or No Deal” Interactive Game Show Comes to Holland America Line
Holland America Line expands its entertainment offerings by launching the game show brand Deal or No Deal on nine ships. TimePlay, an entertainment software company, powers the show format, with a highly adaptable design and strong brand identity, on more than 85 ships worldwide.
Hotel Indigo La Paz Puerta Cortés Review
eFlyer Reviews
Mar 27, 2024Japan Airlines Purchases 32 Airbus, 10 Boeing
eFlyer News
Mar 27, 2024eFlyer Deals
Mar 27, 2024Celebrate the 3 Z Hotels San Francisco with Limited-Time Offer
Z Hotels SF, a collection of boutique properties in downtown San Francisco, launched a limited-time offer. Whether you opt to stay at Hotel Zelos, Hotel Zetta or Hotel Zeppelin, book The Best Things Comes in Threes offer and receive:
Sponsored Content
Hit the High Notes in Nashville
Nashville’s once-modest skyline continues to evolve as its luxury market grows. Lavish hotel properties are added to the landscape while acclaimed chefs stake claim in the robust culinary scene and premier cultural offerings round out the city’s repertoire.
eFlyer Lead
Mar 27, 2024Aeromexico Named Most Punctual Airline in the World
Cirium, a global aviation analytics company, recently released the most on-time airlines in the world for early 2024. The study found Aeromexico as the most improved airline in February, with a 90.66 percent on-time performance, a 12.5-point increase in on-time performance over January 2024.
ShareThis