Don’t know about you, dear reader, but I’m a big fan of the city break. Got to love a few days away somewhere fresh and exciting. Gives a short, sharp, sweet boost to the soul, in my humble experience.
Maximum smiles for minimum effort. Luckily, we are blessed with a bountiful supply of superb cities in this gorgeous green isle of ours. Lots of lovely conurbations out there just waiting to to tickle your fancy, ease your mind and maybe even grant you some awesome adventures anew.
Of course, the daddy of them all, the big banana, the Victoria sponge cake of UK cities, is London. Must admit, any excuse is enough to get me scampering that way. In this case, there was something on at the Royal Academy that I just had to have a look at.
Next up on the menu was to find somewhere to stay. Hmm. There are so many top notch, swish hotels it’s hard to know where to start looking, but thankfully, a friend had told me about an excellent establishment right in the heart of the action, The Clermont Hotel at Charing Cross. So that’s where we went.
Getting There
Train, plane, car or coach, doesn’t matter how you travel. It’s a glorious adventure all in itself. We actually ended up by taking the Uber Boat down the Thames, getting off at Embankment Pier. Which left us with a gentle three minute stroll to our hotel.
The Hotel
Is actually part of Charing Cross station itself, a fine old Victorian building, giving the hotel a most impressive look from the outside.
Gets even better on the inside, mind. There are flowers in the foyer, folks ready to take your baggage and vases full of brollies just waiting to be borrowed.
All in all, a feeling of quiet luxury and comfort fills the air. As you stroll along the hallway to the lift, passing their very own private Starbucks on the way, you get the impression this place is one marvellously fine affair. Which it very definitely is.
Facilities
As well as being easy on the eye and full of rather cute corners where you can sit and chill, there are also all the usual upmarket hotel suspects; restaurant, bar, concierge, business centre, gym and laundry.
The Room
Our room was a Superior King up on the sixth floor. Must say, it really lived up to the name. It was decidedly superior, with a bed big enough for any passing royals to play ping pong on. Luckily, it was also soft enough to sink into and built for heavenly sweet sleeps, with or without the prince, (or princess), of your dreams.
There was also an amazing en-suite, generous wardrobe and last but not least, a lovely living area, complete with sofa, armchair, and work desk offering fabulous views from the top floor windows.
We could see right over the rooftops of London. Watching the sunset on our first evening made the trip worthwhile all by itself.
If all of that lot wasn’t enough to fill your heart with happiness, there was also a free minibar, restocked every day, complete with soft drinks, bijou bottles of booze and plenty of nibbles to keep the tummy rumbles at bay. In short, it was such a superior room, it felt more like an apartment.
The Breakfast
The breakfast featured all the usual tasty ingredients of hotel breakfast life. Fruits, pastries, cold cuts, juices, and a whole gaggle of the “full english” gang.
There was also something I had never seen before, the Clermont Breakfast Yorkshire Pudding. A miniature treat stuffed with chunks of black pudding and whatnot. Have to say, it was good. Even went back for seconds. Mmm.
Out and About Nearby
Since the hotel was right on the Strand, it was a mere two minute mooch to Trafalgar Square.
After which we ambled on up to Leicester Square, hung around Soho for a while, then zigzagged back through Piccadilly Circus.
Next day we took the tube to Battersea Power Station (the tube station is downstairs from the hotel), somewhere I have been meaning to go for ages. Sitting on the lawn out front of the iconic building, soaking up the sunshine, was the perfect end to a picture perfect getaway.
Conclusion
The great thing about this very fine hotel, is that it somehow manages to be a joyous oasis of flawless comfort and charm, whilst also sitting right in the very beating heart, of the very best bits, of London.
If you are looking for city break excitement, along with a sizzling side order of magical metropolis memories, this is definitely the place for you. Highly recommended.
FAQ’s
How much does it cost?
Rooms are available from £299 per night for two people sharing.
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