Rosewood London, London, UK
England | September 21, 2018
Rosewood is one of the only five-star properties in the Holborn area and is a short walk from Covent Garden, Soho and Bloomsbury, making it a perfect base for first-time visitors to London.
Location:
Tucked away in the heart of central London. That might sound odd, as it’s almost impossible to find anywhere tucked away in the city, but because guests have to walk through a quaint courtyard to reach the reception area, it feels a world away from the chaos. Rosewood is one of the only five-star properties in the Holborn area and is a short walk from Covent Garden, Soho and Bloomsbury, making it a perfect base for first-time visitors to London.
First Impressions :
It was not the smiling faces of the staff in the courtyard that got my attention, it was a golden retriever called Pearl that I was drawn to. While she no longer resides at the property, she became well known among guests and lapped up the attention in the courtyard or reception. After rubbing Pearl’s belly, I looked around and instantly fell head over heels with the property’s bold decor. I was whisked to my impressively large one-bed Grand Premier Suite by my butler who gave me a tour of my room (yes, it was big enough to warrant a tour).
The Facts:
This imposing Grade II listed building won’t fail to impress. Previously home to the Pearl Assurance company, the original building dates back to 1912. It became a hotel in 2000 and was managed by Marriott International before being acquired by Rosewood. It reopened as Rosewood London in 2013 after an extensive £85 million restoration project. Many of the original heritage features remain, including the Grand Staircase and the former East and West Banking Halls (now the Holborn Dining Room and Bar). The property has 262 rooms and 44 suites, all of which are impressively spacious for a central London hotel. On the food and drink front, you have elegant dining venue the Mirror Room (afternoon tea is a must); the popular Holborn Dining Room, which serves delicious British fare and boasts London’s largest gin bar (500 types, no less); and cocktail lounge Scarfes Bar, where locals happily queue for a table. A new addition is the Pie Room, where passers-by can grab a bite from the hole in the wall or groups can enjoy a private dining experience.
Explore:
You can explore a lot of central London on foot from here. The British Museum is around the corner, and Covent Garden, Soho and Embankment aren’t far away.
Wow:
The six-bedroom Manor House Wing. It’s so private it even has a private entrance, lift and a separate postcode.
Book it:
Rates start at £414 for an Executive King Room, £2,146 for the Grand Premier suite and £7,200 for the Manor House Suite. Prices for the Manor House Wing are available on enquiry.