London Calling
Checking in to the Athenaeum and Cadogan hotels
Located in the heart of London on Piccadilly, the Athenaeum Hotel and
Apartments offer five-star service with a family-friendly atmosphere. Named
a Conde Nast Traveler "top London hotel" five years running, the Athenaeum
features 111 guest rooms and 12 luxury suites, in addition to 30 apartments
that occupy a row of Edwardian townhouses adjacent to the main hotel.
THE GUESTS
Business travelers and spa day-trippers are constants at the hotel, while families and
professionals looking for extended stays wrapped in luxury frequent the apartments.
As such the Edwardian townhouse clientele could best be described as both busy
and "homey." It's not Romper room by any stretch-it's simply a family-friendly.
THE ROOMS
Kitchens and individual entrances for maximum convenience and privacy. Rooms
and suites provide English elegance coupled with modern conveniences. Reserve
a suite overlooking London's Green Park for best views.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
Leave the kids with the nanny and reserve a table at Bulloch's Restaurant, which
serves "modern British" cuisine with an elegant Mediterranean twist using such
ingredients as homemade Italian mozzarella, organic produce and grass-fed
Aberdeen Angus beef. The Windsor Lounge, open 24-hours-a-day, offers light
meals, cocktails and tea. For rainy London nights (of which there are many), visit
The Whisky Bar. It offers more than 250 varieties of the spirit from Scotland,
Ireland, Canada, America and Japan.
WHAT TO DO
Forgo the fish & chips and dig into a body wrap with enzymatic sea mud or a
mineral salt scrub instead. The hotel's spa is run exclusively for Athenaeum guests.
For travelers looking to explore the city, the hotel is a short walk from such London
mainstays as Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Chinatown and the theater
district. Nearby Soho is a cab ride away, where if you know the right people (or
you're a member in New York), you can sample martinis at the exclusive members
club, Soho House.
Rates: $515 to $1300 per night for rooms and suites; $870 to $1,300 per
night for apartments. For reservations call (800) 335-3300, e-mail info@athenaeumhotel.com or visit www.athenaeumhotel.com
Built in 1887, the Cadogan retains the feel of a private townhouse
with the kind of charm associated with old-world Europe. The hotel
sits on Sloane Street in Knightsbridge, providing easy access to the
luxury shops and Haute Couture fashion, making this district London's
fashion hub.
THE GUESTS
The hotel has had its share of notable guests, including poet and playwright
Oscar Wilde, who was arrested in his room in 1895. The event was
immortalized when John Betjeman wrote a poem titled, "The Arrest of Oscar
Wilde at the Cadogan Hotel." Chances are guests are better behaved these
days-most are travelers looking for an intimate and historic experience in
central location.
THE ROOMS
You have a choice between rooms with contemporary or classic English
Décor-either way, plush furniture is de rigueur. Many of the highceilinged
rooms feature rounded alcoves leading to private balconies, and
all provide standard modern conveniences such as cable TV, WIFI and air
conditioning. The Oscar Wilde and Lillie Langtry suites are particularly
well appointed.
WHERE TO EAT Yes, there is gourmet English cuisine. Mes'Anges, the Cadogan's luxury
restaurant, boasts glass chandeliers, intricate ceiling designs and a marble
fireplace. The menu is equally lavish, showcasing steak, seafood and chicken
dishes with imaginative ingredients.
WHAT TO DO
Guests access to the private gardens at Cadogan Square, directly across
from the hotel. If you are looking to work off those extra pints, have the
concierge book a tennis court for you-the hotel will provide the rackets
and balls. After stretching your black card to the brink shopping, catch
a double-decker bus (they run by the hotel's entrance) to the Natural
History Museum.
Rates: $280 to $1,040 per night depending on room. For reservations call
(888) 452-8380 or visit www.cadogan.com
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