Metropolitan, London – the pride of Old Park Lane
Could this possibly be London’s best hotel?
A busy weekend in London, reviewing shows and interviewing celebrities, can sound like a very glamorous way to spend your time. It’s true that it’s a great privilege swanning round the capital, chatting to the rich and famous, occupying the best seats in the house for the cream of West End productions and then dining out in style at some of the city’s finest and most diverse restaurants. But, you know – sometimes it doesn’t quite work out the way you planned it; the scheduling of shows and events can be so tight it would make a duck look like a cullender, the interviewee is an arrogant fool who’s doing you the biggest favour of your life and, by way of compensation, you just have to mix with the commoners at the end of a gruelling day and indulge yourself in one of those wonderful gourmet burgers at Garfunkels.
But what can really make the difference is where you ultimately lay your head and, in my opinion, there’s nowhere better than the stunningly stylish but oh so accessible Metropolitan London. Standing tall and proud in its very understated way, the Design Hotels London flagship is the pride of Old Park Lane, and manages to strip back all the clutter associated with your traditional English hotel, without so much as a shred of compromise. This makes for a calming, uncomplicated stay in rooms and suites appointed to perfection without being either flamboyant or fussy. But I think the most impressive aspect of my stay here has to be the management style; the entire team, from reception to concierge, porters to waiters, duty managers to housekeepers, somehow pull off a minor miracle: they are incredibly attentive, polite and knowledgeable without once making you feel uncomfortable or out of place. This fervid approach runs through the whole ethos of the Metropolitan, creating that reassurance that you’re in the best possible hands, and your every need is going to be taken care of.
Ideally situated on the borders of Mayfair and Knightsbridge, the hotel caters admirably for the most discerning diner, with a range of options including the prized Nobu restaurant with its distinctive Park Lane views. Founded by Nobuyuki Matsuhisa and presided over by Executive Chef Mark Edwards, this essential eatery affords guests a relaxed lunch or dinner of Michelin-starred, Japanese-Peruvian cuisine, with specialities including black cod with miso, sashimi salad with Matsuhisa soy sauce dressing, Hamachi sashimi with jalapenos, and squid ‘pasta’ with light garlic sauce.
Staying at the Metropolitan doesn’t come particularly cheap, with two bedroom suites costing up to £3,200, but some nifty footwork with an early booking will secure you an exquisite city room from just £179. Expect to pay £50 to £60 on top of that for a breakfast for two, but trust me when I say it’s breakfast like you’ve never had it before, and worth every penny for the experience alone. The food’s pretty amazing too, and the presentation unbelievably inventive.
For me, the Metropolitan is quite simply one of the most enjoyable stays I’ve ever had in a hotel, and I don’t say that lightly. Its cool sophistication is edged with a simplicity which makes it a real pleasure to be a guest here, without even a hint of anything being remotely hard work. If you’re looking for that rare place which is actually run exclusively for the benefit of its guests, look no further; the Metropolitan London has it all.
Metropolitan London
Old Park Lane
London W1K 1LB
United Kingdom
Visit www.designhotels.com
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Reservations www.designhotels.com/contact
Email res@designhotels.com
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One Response to “Metropolitan, London – the pride of Old Park Lane”
Great site…keep up the good work.
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A definite great read..