A MARVELLOUS CENTRAL HOTEL THAT WON’T BREAK THE BANK
I am semi-retired, and live in the relaxed South of France. When my wife and I return to London for business the problem is always the same – accommodation of a standard that we expect at a price that we can afford. Hell, even a Novotel costs £200 a night if you want to be accessible to the West End! I have stayed in some half-way decent places, but they always tend to be old and on noisy roads; the windows leak cold air in winter, or the air conditioner doesn’t work properly in summer – if they even have one. The beds invariably hurt my back and the towels are too thin and too small. And then there are the other establishments which I prefer not to think about!
But, eureka, last December we hit the Holy Grail. I love staying around Queensway; there is a tremendous buzz about the area – a terrific family owned Spanish coffee bar, Whitley’s shopping centre, Hyde Park right there, London’s second Chinatown, and marvellous transport facilities to anywhere in the capital. So, when I read about a newly refurbished hotel in a huge Edwardian building with reasonably priced rooms I thought I would take a chance.
 We arrived from brilliantly hot and sunny Puerto Rico on the day the snow arrived in Blighty. So, when we turned up at the Grand Royale Hyde Park we were shivering and not exactly in the best frame of mind. But things looked a bit better when we stopped outside a marvellous terraced building ( rumoured to have been built by Edward V11 as a private residence for his mistress Lilly Langtrey). There was a porter to immediately swoop on our heavy luggage and escort us into a most magnificent reception room - a vast swathe of wood panelling, marvellous flower displays everywhere, smartly suited reception staff….and the whole place was bright ….and warm. I suddenly wondered whether I hadn’t read the prices correctly and rechecked confirmation and yes, we were paying a modest price.
OK, the rooms aren’t exactly spacious – more like Montmartre than Melbourne, i.e. ‘European size’,  but they have every creature comfort. Brand new modern furnishings; the beds and pillows are marvellous, lighting is perfect and a flat screen TV with all the satellite channels one needs in this modern age. Excellent 21st century bathrooms. State of the art heating and air-conditioning and complimentary WiFi. |
 When staying in mid-price hotels the breakfast is usually perfunctory, and served in a dingy, airless basement room. Not here – a marvellous buffet with everything one could wish for, served in a charming first floor room with huge balcony windows overlooking the terrace. And…….there is a welcoming bar in the evenings, available for anything from a gossip with a long-time-no see friend to a business discussion.
All in all, a terrific hotel for either leisure or business (all the facilities including meeting rooms are available) and a desirable location with good transport facilities - A straight taxi-run through West London to Heathrow. Paddington mainline rail station, for all points west, is just up the road. Both Bayswater and Queensway tube stations are close by, convenient buses to various points from just around the corner, and Selfridges is a twenty minute walk.
We have since stayed twice since, and are booked in twice next month. I can’t wait!
So……..to recap it all, you can afford to stay in luxury – not too far away from the “Cork & Bottle”, and have plenty of money left for Lunch or Dinner and a bottle or three of our beauties from Domaine Grand Montmirail, Grant Burge, Jim Barry …& Co !
Website: www.grandroyalelondon.co.uk
Address: HOTEL GRAND ROYALE – LONDON HYDE PARK
1-9 INVERNESS TERRACE
LONDON W2 3JP
Telephone: 020 7221 1169 |
