HOTEL
Trafalgar St James, London
WHEN IT OPENED IN 2001 as The Trafalgar, it was Hilton’s first unbranded hotel in the UK capital. The property, in Trafalgar Square, was completely refurbished and reopened in summer 2017 as the Trafalgar St James and became part of Hilton’s Curio Collection. The historic building has art deco touches, including elegant lighting, mirrored surfaces and painted panelling. The hotel is famed for its roof terrace with its views of Nelson’s Column.
ROOMS: There are 131 rooms, including 15 suites, several with views of Trafalgar Square. Sadly, from my room – a Trafalgar King – there was no view of Nelson. The room was spotlessly clean and sumptuously turned out in a palette of soft greys and neutrals enlivened by bespoke artwork with a London theme. Beds are comfortable with crisp white bedding, and there’s a seating area with a chaise longue-style sofa and small coffee table. A vanity area can also function as a workspace, with USB points handily located. Other nice touches include a Nespresso machine, wifi and free minibar (no alcoholic beverages – these are ordered via room service). Windows are triple-glazed and cannot be opened,
2 Spring Gardens, London • Tel: +44 (0)20 7870 2900 •
info@trafalgarstjames.com •
trafalgarstjames.com
but the absence of noise from the busy streets is remarkable. The Trafalgar King and Queen Rooms have walk-in showers, instead of baths, with bathrobes and Molton Brown toiletries. RESTAURANTS & BARS: Visiting The Rooftop to enjoy spectacular views over Trafalgar Square is a must. A canopy ensures the bar can be used year-round, with patio heaters and blankets. The main restaurant is the Trafalgar Dining Rooms on the ground floor. It’s a beautifully decorated space – the design firm Avroko has reimagined the ‘New York restaurant experience’ for London. The menu offered Mediterranean cuisine, which I found an odd fit with the decor and the hotel’s otherwise London-centric style. Starters
HOTEL
ranged from £8 to £12, while mains were priced between £14 and £34. MEETINGS & EVENTS: The hotel’s revamp focused on reinventing its leisure rather than business facilities and the meeting rooms of the hotel’s previous incarnation were transformed into suites. However, Biblio, the hotel’s lower ground floor living area is available for private functions, meetings and meals, with capacity for 40 seated and 80 standing. The Rooftop can also be hired for private events. LEISURE: There is a 24-hour fitness centre for the use of guests. VERDICT: Trafalgar St James is in a great location, its rooms are beautifully finished, and staff are friendly and helpful. The Rooftop bar is the star of the show.
By Molly Dyson De Vere Tortworth Court
Tortworth, Wotton Under Edge • Tel: +44 1454 263000 •
phcompany.com/de-vere/tortworth-court
SINCE STARWOOD CAPITAL PURCHASED DE VERE IN 2014 and brought it under the Principal Hotel Company, the brand’s properties have undergone a £100 million restoration project. De Vere Tortworth Court, which itself was the subject of a £5 million refurbishment, dates back to the 11th century, when the original Torteword Manor was recorded in the Domesday Book. The current Grade II-listed Victorian mansion house was built in 1853. Today, it features modern design concepts reflecting British heritage, displaying accents of leather and tweed. It is located near the M5 between Bristol and Gloucester, with Bristol airport a 40-minute drive.
ROOMS: There are 201 rooms in total, 55 of which are situated in the main mansion house and the remaining in the courtyard wing, ranging from guest rooms at 16.82 sqm to executive suites at 78 sqm. I stayed in the Kipling executive suite, which features high ceilings, a huge bay window, two Chesterfield sofas and a dining table seating six. With a neutral colour scheme the room is light, airy and relaxing. Powerpoints set into the floor near the table make it an ideal location to host an impromptu meeting. RESTAURANTS & BARS: Set off the main lobby, the 1853 Restaurant & Bar serves drinks within the house’s library. During my stay, I had a delicious starter of classic French onion soup followed by a fillet of fish served with beetroot, which was a little bland for my taste, but an interesting combination nonetheless. My dessert of chocolate bread-and-butter pudding was sufficiently satisfying to make the meal a success. Breakfast is also served in the main restaurant, with hot and cold buffets
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM
along with a small selection to order from the kitchen. Meanwhile, the Atrium Bistro Bar features an 18-metre high glass roof with indoor greenery and serves light bites and more casual meals ranging from sandwiches to pizza and burgers. MEETINGS & EVENTS: The property offers 14 event spaces, the largest of which can accommodate up to 400 guests. The Orangery is a separate building featuring an ornamental glass ceiling and an outdoor seating area, while the Westminster Suite has floor-to-ceiling windows and opens on to the hotel grounds. LEISURE: A fully equipped gym, pool and spa facilities are available. There are six renovated treatment rooms for a variety of treatments on offer. The grounds feature an extensive arboretum. VERDICT: Perfect for business and pleasure, De Vere Tortworth Court will appeal to a wide range of guests. The meeting rooms are comfortable and stylish, while the surroundings offer an escape from busy city life.
BBT March/April 2018 115
By Becky Ambury
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