The Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts hold no bars in sitting unremorseful with their elite high-class hospitality stature, unabashedly flaunting an epic portfolio of glittering five-star sanctuaries all of which embody the pinnacle of chic, far-flung grandeur, whilst exhibiting the native attributes of their motherhood destinations with painstaking rigour.
Be it the paradisiacal Italian Eden of Capri Palace, serene Javanese-Hindu water palace refuge of Jumeirah Bali or Dubai’s grandiose seven-star icon of the Burj Al Arab, this Emirati state-owned hotel empire relishes in its motto of “Redefining luxury”, breathing new life into the interpretation of transporting hospitality magnificence to untapped peaks, since its elite 1997 dawning.
Taking shelter in London’s SW haut-monde Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea borough, the Jumeirah Carlton Tower is currently revelling in its fairly fresh revival of in vogue appreciation, entwined with the honoured hotel heritage where I had the treasured privilege of basking in a 48 hour rendezvous of indulgent suite style living, whilst savouring a feast of worldly international delicacies all the while under benevolent custody of the diligent hosting cadre.
The hotel
Snuggled right by the pristine emerald botanicals of Belgravia’s Cadogan Place Gardens whilst barely a cravat’s reach away away from the socialite designer laden haunts of Sloane Street and Harrods, the Jumeirah Carlton Tower glows in its rich hotel saga tracing back to 1961, tended to by the Hotel Corporation of America. It wasn’t until a new century and the hotel’s epoch-making year of 2001 that the Jumeirah Carlton Tower had struck solid gold, as the UAE’s sybaritic loving resort titans of the Jumeirah Group chose to welcome this British born tavern into their top-drawer family fold, and bestow a “modest” £100 million in 2019 where an epic luxe revival project took hold before at length, unveiling its lustrous palatial renaissance to their native cafe society and elite jet-setters.
With its revived backdrop shunning Dubai’s reputed brash statements of sinful hedonism in favour of a modernistic, sleek yet classically opulent backdrop, this Belgravian beacon flourishes as a hotel connoisseurs dream echoing the aura of a resort like environment, making for a riveting experience all of which has incessantly continued to charm their discerning clientele.
A lofty modern-day monument dressed in its untouched humble sixties facade, visiting vacationers are rooted to the spot as they are ushered in to drink in this grand dame of a property’s resplendent interiors regale, courtesy of the talented architecture design studio, 1508 London. Welcomed by a tantalising rose essence enveloping the air, my gaze rested on the bedazzling vision of a colossal cascading flute chandelier of exquisite crystal luminous shards, towering over a fragrant floral display before shifting my attention to the lobby’s gleaming marble flooring, mute shaded seating and immaculate antique gold accents. This backdrop combined was all designed to radiate distinguished aristocratic wealth, not forgetting THAT colossal copper sculpture by the porte cochère entrance, exclusively commissioned by Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930-1993).
Leisurely guided over to the luminous snow white habitation of the reception area, the militantly proficient team made it their business to have the check-in process a pain free plain sailing experience, further uplifted by a modelesque staff member bedecked in a botanic printed satin dress, as she placed forth a steamed hot towel accompanied by an invigorating welcome refreshment brimming with a zestful fruit relish and floral finish, to then chaperone me into the indulgent deluxe comforts of my overnight dwellings.
Rooms and suites
An equally respondent collection of 186 rooms, and 88 suites inhabit this sheeny charismatic abode to keep their well-heeled lodgers in seventh heaven, complete with pillow menus, Chanel rugs, bluetooth speakers and every ladies bosom buddy; a Dyson Supersonic hairdryer.
At a snug yet generous 19 sqm, the Jumeirah Carlton Tower’s standard room makes for a faultless setting to the serve needs effortlessly for their high-powered business visitants and city enthusiasts, coated in pastel and light cream shades to give the impression of a more sweeping outspread depth whilst spilling onto the blue-blooded outlook of Sloane Street and its socialite activities. The Balcony Room, with its immense 26sqm of intimate tranquil contemporary splendour, boasts some of the most arresting alfresco spectacles of this glossed up SW neighbourhood and rich leafy nirvana of Cadogan Gardens, as the well-groomed trim chambers bathes in a wall-to-wall eclipse of golden sun kissed rays, radiating on the lodgings sleek furnishing of leather panelled headboards, spotless wooded features and soft hued bedding.
Evermore reputed to cocoon their glamorous guests in a bed of roses, the ever gallant Carlton team deemed it “sine qua non” to have yours truly living her grandiose royal boudoir fairytale, in none other than the queenly quarters of the Royal Suite. Embodying the quintessence of lush newfangled luxury, a sumptuous, pink leather room key specially engraved with my initials unlocked a celestial suite Elysian stretching to a Herculean 167 sqm, where it was for the masterly empress of haut-monde living Khuan Chew, to take to the interior throne having cast her artistic sorcery within the likes of the esteemed A-list Burj Al Arab, and Al Nadwa Palace in Jordan.
Embracing exquisitely crafted furniture fittings from France and Italy, gleaming auburn tables, royal blue and cream leather sofas and handwoven rugs had made their presence known throughout the suite, also playing to a gallant dashing aura of the immense main lounge which unveiled taintless granite, black stone flooring covered with a velvet blush pink carpet, and pristine unblemished mirrors that drew the eyes to the intense twinkles of the Swarovski crystal light embellishments, dazzling with fervid zest between the dining room and lounge.
While the whitewashed bedroom had unshackled my innermost duchess reverie with the voluminous bed, 55-inch widescreen HDTV and triple sided walk-in wardrobe, the fetching nest of the bonny bathroom proved the shining starlet. Adorned in trappings of impeccable refined marble and multi hue tiling, a catalogue of aromatic niceties by Grown Alchemist lined up the his and hers basin sinks, while the infinity bath revealed its hot tub theatrics with high-powered jets, and colour changing chromatherapy lights. Also present were an airy walk-in shower, wet room and Japanese designed heated toilet.
An elegant modish dining room fit for hosting a mini café society shindig, a concealed fitted sideboard unearthed a bountiful array of fine cutlery and intricate crystal glassware, neighbouring the mandatory Nespresso machine and fragrant tea selections by JING when I then discovered the pleasure of my own bar, lavishly attired with premium tipples, spirits and snacks. On cue whilst debating on a cocktail concoction, a knock at the door brought in the presence of my personal suite butler, armed with a reservoir of welcome delights from the customary bottle of chilled champagne and hand made macaroons, to a scrumptious scrabble board bearing my name in solid, Valrhona chocolate letters.
As my gracious butler wasted not a nanosecond shaking up my favourite pre dinner ruby cosmopolitan, the time was rife to soak up the city’s sunset glow from the calmness of the balcony, snuggled into my personalised feathersoft slippers before the evening of dining festivities was to commence.
Food and drink
From toothsome award-winning afternoon tea affairs, round-the-clock global delicacies or a nutritious ‘pick their protein’ banquet within the soaring ninth floor quarters of The Peak, the presence of the Jumeirah Carlton Tower’s bon-vivant enthusiasts are beckoned to enjoy a flavoursome odyssey, which embraces hearty ingredients and premium produce swirled with a poised luxe flair to gratify your tastebuds.
Keeping famished appetites indulged with an unfussy simple yet mouthwatering culinary repast, the polished ground floor eatery of the Chinoiserie takes pride in hosting their diners encircled in a princely cream and flaxen backdrop, adorned with navy and golden seating, art-deco lighting and sparkling pendant crystal chandeliers beaming over the ethereal full bloom displays, dotted around the restaurant.
Although the mixologist team were brimming with heartfelt enthusiasm as they shook and stirred their way through an assembly of sapid cocktail medleys to sip and savour, my rather unorthodox no cocktail mood found me in the company of a icy chilled flute, flowing with the pink tinted bubbles of Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose bustling of hints of crisp peach, sweet red berries and a zesty citrus finish.
A gastronomical fare netting in on a unpretentious yet debonair comfort notion, the wholesome appetiser of the Middle-Eastern hot mezze added a sprinkling of far-flung piquant to the first course affair, as crispy hot showcased an earthy and spiced creamed texture from soft chickpeas, meshed with the floral and sweet touches from the coriander and cumin whereas the kibbeh brought out finely diced lean lamb, perfumed with the light caramelisation of fried onions and mild garlic. Joining their fellow starter siblings, meaty delicate king prawns came lightly grilled with a dollop of peppered spicy tomato chimichurri, while the fried mozzarella oozed with melting velvet cheese cocooned in golden crunchy breadcrumbs. Keeping in tune with my Middle-Eastern spirit, the lavish mixed grill proved a victorious success with rich lamb kofta exuding a tender charcoaled relish, whilst the slow grilled shish kebab sliced effortlessly, releasing an abundant of meaty rich juice all paired perfectly with crisp airy French fries, and buttered Basmati rice with a nutty scented finish.
No Carlton nearcation should ever be concluded sans an afternoon tea quest, within this pedigreed sanctuary perpetually heralded for hosting the Capital’s best post meridiem sweet and savoury supper encounter. The Jumeirah Carlton Tower’s high tea displays the pinnacle of classic cuppa and cake dining, with the confectionery creations painstakingly curated by ‘France’s World’s Best Pastry Chef’ Jessica Prealpato, where her current Tribute to Nature menu sees airy feather soft sandwiches reveal succulent shredded crab and buttery salted Calvisius caviar, accompanied with maybe an intricate rich dark chocolate filled taco, or a candied lemon tart treat.
With an unmatched in-suite breakfast spread available to order in the comforts of my aerial abode, the temptation of an AM spread arms length from my chamber proved worthless to resist. Nimbly placed on the crisp white table I had my expansive tea selection from JING, neighbouring a flaky croissant and fresh pastry basket beside my beloved hot Full English of prime sausages, lean bacon and creamy scrambled eggs to set the tone for the day’s activities.
Things to do and wellness
Not one to be mollified by its up to the minute commanding five star refuge, the Jumeirah Carlton Tower holds no qualms in unapologetically granting their guests privileged access to the Cadogan Garden and tennis courts, normally only open to residents to engage in a lingering picturesque walk or a gourmet picnic luncheon, all the while being footsteps from the couture avenue of Sloane Street for a spot of hot off the catwalk TLC.
Also claiming London’s largest swimming pool residing on the panoramic oasis of the tenth floor, the space marries the concept of a placid tranquil wellness oasis with a tropical hideaway spirit sprawling across three floors, where a double-height glass ceiling bathes the spa in a myriad of natural light, basking its warm soothing rays onto a 20-metre rippling aquamarine asylum ready for a lap or ten to whet up your breakfast gusto, as it peaks out over the city’s architectural mishmash lined by cabana beds and a hoisted Jacuzzi.
Adrenaline powered clientele also have the exclusive pleasure of the The Peak Fitness Club and Talise Spa, featuring cutting-edge bespoke ‘Technogym’ gadgets to pump out those workout grooves overlooking the city’s unrivalled skyline vistas, before releasing hustle life aches and tensions within the aromatic scented steam room and sauna.
In a nutshell
The Jumeirah Carlton Tower stands testament to its suave modernistic recast throughout the time remaining faithful to credit the hotel’s authentic modern aesthetic, and eclectic mix of architectural styles of the surrounding mansion blocks and residences.
From the resplendence beauteous embellishments, epicurean festivals to the gallant hosting crew whom strive to keep you snuggled in a bed of velvet on first step, this replenished London Jumeirah avatar has sealed its title as the epitome of glamorous soulful hospitality, with a novel sense of resplendent pomp enhancing the guests fives star crusade right from the utter of the words “Welcome to the Jumeirah Carlton Tower”.
Factbox
Room rates start from approximately £750 per night with suites from approximately £1,200 per night. Rates may vary during peak seasons.
Address: 1 Cadogan Pl, London, SW1X 9PY
Telephone: 0207 235 1234
Website: jumeirah.com/en/stay/london/the-carlton-tower-jumeirah
All imagery credit: Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts
