9:00am Thursday 10th December 2009
By Andrew Smith
When it comes to capital cities London is one of the few with genuine global status. It is the centre of so many things politically, culturally and, of course, in business particularly in sectors such as finance, the media and tourism.
Visiting London, it is difficult to believe we are locked in the longest recession on record. The city seems to be as frenetic, if not more so, than it always has been.
It is one of the few places in the UK where I would never consider taking the car. Even had I navigated my way there, parking is so astronomically expensive that even a weekend visit hammers the credit card.
But you won’t need it anyway, thanks to Oxford’s excellent transport links with the capital. Thousands make the journey every day by train and bus, dispersing into the maelstrom of commuters and tourists that sometimes make the streets and buildings seem like they are bursting at the seams.
Stepping off the train at Paddington we took a collective deep breath and strode purposefully into the throng destined for the West End.
We headed for the bus stop but, as the ticket machine required the exact money, rapidly opted for a taxi instead, and ten minutes and £6 later, we were dropped at the door of the Metropolitan Hotel on Park Lane.
Owned and operated by the Como group, this iconic building has 150 rooms spread over nine floors. We had booked into a deluxe city room, popular with business travellers, offering direct dial telephones, private fax line and modem points. Broadband and WiFi are available throughout the hotel.
Downstairs, facilities include the Met Bar where you will meet creative and media types, as well as a smattering of stars such as the Kings of Leon or Roger Taylor from Queen, who regularly drop in.
A private members’ bar after 9pm, guests can mingle with the glitterati over a cocktail or two which, somehow, makes you feel good.
And it is widely used for product launches and roadshows for luxury brands such as Christian Dior.
But there are plenty of opportunities for healthier pursuits — in fact the hotel actively promotes the concept of well-being or Como Shambhala, the Shambhala coming from the Sanskrit for peace.
Treatments range from yoga to shiatsu and guests can take a week-long course in the hands of experts who will control all aspects of diet and fitness.
Food can also be low fat, which could benefit the regular traveller looking for a healthier option, and the hotel restaurant is a branch the well-known Nobu serving Japanese/Peruvian cusine specialising in dishes such as sea urchin tempura. Whatever turns you on.
The business traveller is well catered for — there are five events rooms seating up to 80 people with extra suites and individual service available as necessary.
And if you are in a hurry, from 7am pastries and orange juice are available in the lobby, and there is even a coffee to go service for that rushed check-out.
This is a hotel with real character coming as much from its ‘philosophy’ as the cool, elegant surroundings and can be as simple, or as sophisticated as you like.
But if the hustle and bustle of the West End is not for you then across town in Clerkenwell, the Malmaison offers something a little different.
Once nurses’ quarters for nearby hospitals, there is a more boutique-style ambience in this handsome red-brick building set in Charterhouse Square and for me, there is something of the ‘real’ London here.
From here it is possible to walk to the historic Smithfield meatmarket, or venture into Leather Lane where a regular market and shops offer genuinely local trade from local people, so unusual in cities these days.
As for the hotel itself, it has the usual Malmaison touches, with dark colour schemes and the room was compact and functional, but it’s not quite on a par with others in the group, such as Oxford where, perhaps, there is a little more luxury and attention to detail.
But the quality of food in the restaurant, accessed in the basement, is excellent. We enjoyed dishes such as lobster and chicken pie, wild mushroom risotto and chocolate fondue.
Service was first-class in the evening, although sadly declined for breakfast the next morning, which meant the overall impression was sullied somewhat.
But business provision is good with two meeting rooms, equipment available to hire and wireless access.
And once the meeting is successfully completed, I would recommend a trip virtually next door to the Fox and Anchor, which has a Malmaison connection as it has been developed by the hotel chain’s owner Richard Balfour-Lynn and chief executive Robert Cook.
This is a wonderful London pub with a typical long bar which was pleasantly busy when we visited for an early evening meal.
It is also possible to stay in one of the six rooms above for less than £100 a night — more reasonable than the hotel, although perhaps noisier.
Sitting in our own little area away from the bar, we again enjoyed a hearty gastro-pub meal, rounding off a memorable stay.
We returned home exhausted but feeling we had barely scratched the surface of a city with a relentless pace of life.
Nightly room rates: Metropolitan Hotel: City room, £375; two-bedroom suite, £3,200 Contact: 0207 447 1047 Web: www.metropolitan.como.bz Malmaison Hotel: Single, £205; suite, £475 Contact: 0207 012 3700 Web: www.malmaison.com
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