Hotel Review: JW Marriott, Grosvenor House, London

The super position of this 1929-vintage luxury hotel overlooking Hyde Park is just one reason for its enduring appeal to visitors from Arabia. A couple of decades ago this correspondent wrote the diary item about the first-ever one million pound hotel bill for a London hotel when the Qatari royal family checked out after a long summer stay.

Of course the hotel is too discrete to say who is staying within its 494 well-appointed rooms and suites. Privacy is guaranteed amid the many corridors and floors of this hotel, although the security seems a little more evident than in the past, perhaps a feature of all top London hotels these days.

Time for tea

Grosvenor House is also well known for its afternoon teas in the spendid Park Room. Those fasting for Ramadan will miss the finger sandwiches and scones with cream and jam but many are coming later this year.

The club level on the seventh floor is also a popular option. This brings access to a lounge with a changing series of presentations during the day, commencing with breakfast from 6am and ending with an open champagne bar at 10pm. There is also complementary WiFi for Internet connection devices, and somebody to help with information about London and the hotel.

You are hardly short of restaurant options in this part of the city. Le Gavroche is just around the corner and Chef Richard Corrigan’s signature restaurant is a part of the hotel.

For more down-to-earth cuisine the JW Steakhouse (see this review) should not be missed. Non-club guests also take their breakfasts in this airy restaurant with a terrace onto Park Lane, very pleasant if the weather permits.

Biggest ballroom

The ice rink in the basement was transformed into Europe’s largest ballroom by 1934 and is still popular for large annual events like the Brit Awards and accomodates up to 2,000 guests for a sit down dinner. New this season, aside from the JW Steakhouse is the fitness suite with all-new Star Trac equipment with iPod sockets and touch screen technology.

ArabianMoney liked the quietness of this hotel despite its central location and the white marble bathrooms with rainfall showers. The Marriott beds and linen are a worldwide standard for excellence. This remains a classy place to stay and that is probably why the Arabian summer connection has lasted so long.

It was a shame to leave but we picked up a limo from a nearby Marble Arch garage booked through holidayautos.ae and headed out of the capital.