Looking for a luxurious place to lay your head during your next visit to the capital? London is awash with high-end hotels offering sumptuous surroundings and a host of modern amenities so in theory, you should be spoilt for choice. But not all luxury hotels are created equal, and some can’t help but stand out from the crowd.
The recently renovated Conrad London St. James is a prime example, and exudes style and sophistication at every turn. Retaining its rich history but these days, with a modern twist, it ticks all the right boxes and then some – and from a decadent array of dining options and excellent facilities to the impeccable service from start to finish, here are eleven reasons you won’t want to stay anywhere else but here.
The excellent location
Located directly opposite St. James Park Underground Station in the heart of London’s Westminster, the Conrad London St. James is just a stone’s throw from some of the UK’s most iconic historical sights, including Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square. The Houses of Parliament and Downing Street are also close neighbours, so if you’re looking for the perfect luxury base from which to explore the city as a tourist, then it really doesn’t get much better.
The St. James area is busy during the week with office workers but on weekends it exudes a sense of calm. And nearby St. James Park is a calming oasis of green that offers a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the city,
Money well spent
Whilst the hotel was closed to guests during the Covid-19 pandemic, things were decidedly busy behind the scenes, with a £1.7 million refurbishment bringing it bang up to date and more in line with other historic five-star competitors such as The Dorchester and The Connaught.
And it’s clear that it was money well spent, because today, the Conrad St. James is quite simply breath-taking, from its stunning interiors to its high-level facilities and spaces, and everything in between.
Sustainability
The Conrad London St. James takes its sustainability credentials very seriously, and has been making changes in a number of areas, both before and after its recent renovation.
Like all properties under the Hilton umbrella, there’s a strong focus on energy efficiency and the hotel uses combined heat and power (CHP), which generates electricity and captures the heat that would otherwise be lost and ultimately, wasted, providing thermal energy by way of hot water and steam for the whole property. The Hilton Group has pledged to reduce its Scope One and Two carbon intensity by 61 percent by 2030, and with the help of properties like this one, it’s well on the way to doing so.
Ever seeking innovative ways to honour its environmental policy, the Conrad London St. James has implemented a number of additional measures in line with this, including the use of long-lasting preserved flowers rather than fresh cut flowers and their associated transportation, and the recycling of cardboards, AC filters, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, glass bottles and coffee pods through its recycling program, with the hotel is dedicated to efficient waste management and is currently re-focusing on reducing plastics by using eco-toiletries.
Add to that the fact that the Conrad London St. James is also the proud winner of the ‘Best Light Stay Performance’ title in the UK and Ireland and London regions, using the corporate responsibility measurement platform to track its performance and environmental and social impact, and its efforts to become more sustainable are truly admirable.
And, it’s now working on sourcing everything from food to equipment in a way that will allow it to become less dependent on a corporate supply chain, and using local suppliers, where possible, in support of British Food and Drink. Currently, it’s working alongside top producers such as Lake District Farmers, who operate with small-scale traditional hill farmers and supply British meats to the hotel’s prestigious restaurant, The Pem.
Sumptuous suites
The Conrad London St. James has 256 contemporary rooms including 15 luxury suites. The lavish signature Conrad Suite is the star of the show, with its own private elevator and a window open to the night sky for breath-taking evening viewing. All suites are sumptuously appointed with large marble bathrooms, a separate bathtub and walk-in rain forest showers, while beds are enormous, comfortable and a dream to fall into after a busy day out exploring the capital.
There are plenty of little extra luxuries, too – from the wall-mounted flatscreen TV and Nespresso coffee machine to a well-stocked minibar.
Gorgeous interiors
From the moment you set foot in the spacious marble lobby, it’s clear that you’re in for an aesthetic treat, and the interior design throughout the hotel is quite simply stunning. Standout sculptures and artworks are strategically positioned to act as centrepieces that can’t help but get the guests talking (for all the right reasons, of course), while the rooms and suites, with their minimalistic neutral colour palettes and lavish marble bathrooms, have nailed the ‘less is more’ approach that is synonymous with luxury and sophistication.
The Pem Restaurant, with its plush and atmospheric red interiors exudes cosiness and opulence, with plush furnishings and rosy accents that will make you feel right at home – while The Blue Boar pub, with its dark wood panelling and banquet seating, exhibits traditional features, yet with a modern and trendy feel.
Food options galore
The Conrad St. James is home to some truly standout dining options, starting with the glamorous Pem Restaurant, which won the National Restaurant Awards’ ‘One to Watch for 2021’ gong and has continued to impress since.
Headed up by Michelin-starred chef Sally Abé, it serves up a decadent menu based around fresh, local ingredients and offers a refined and sophisticated food experience Sally has become known for without compromising on the sense of fun and liveliness that has always come with it. Built on the foundations of traditional British cuisine, each dish puts a new spin on familiar flavours and ingredients, and it’s all served up in cosy and inviting surroundings to ensure a memorable dining experience in every way.
For those seeking a more casual place to relax over lunch or dinner, the Blue Boar Pub is just the ticket, and offers up a modern take on the classic London pub and those quintessentially British dishes we all know and love. It’s a lively and bustling space where you can enjoy a relaxed meal in surroundings inspired by local landmarks including Big Ben’s clock tower or relax on a sofa in a quieter corner with a drink.
You can also enjoy a decadent afternoon tea in traditional surroundings in the Orchard Room, or head to glamorous cocktail bar The Hedgerow, with its dramatic green marbled bar, to enjoy a pre- or post-dinner drink.
An opulent executive lounge
As an added bonus for luxury-seeking guests, those booking suites can enjoy complimentary access to the hotel’s grandiose executive lounge, where the evening happy hour is a must and features an array of canapes, wine and spirits for the taking. A complimentary breakfast is also served up here each morning, where there’s plenty of choice between a variety of tasty hot and cold items, and there’s free in-lounge access and a business centre, too.
Impeccable service
When it comes to luxury hotels, it’s often the staff that make the experience, and this is certainly true at the Conrad St. James. The customer service is flawless from the moment you set foot in the door, with friendliness and attentiveness coming as standard. The hotel’s team of knowledgeable and experienced staff will go out of their way to ensure you have a wonderful stay, and the attention to detail is quite simply impeccable.
Spectacular artworks
The Conrad London St. James is a living gallery showcasing some stunning pieces of unique artwork. So, if you’re seeking a good dose of culture during your stay in the city, then you won’t have to look far to find it. From show-stopping paintings and photographs to intriguing sculptures, you’ll find a host of works on display by British artists, many of them local.
Each piece exhibited within the hotel’s eye-catching collection has been hand-selected for its bold and striking elements and the engaging visual experiences they offer guests, as well as reflecting its setting in the historic and political heart of Westminster.
Versatile event spaces
The hotel is home to seven state-of-the-art luxury meeting and event spaces designed to cater for everything from business meetings and conventions to the most spectacular of weddings. With 575 square metres of meeting space in total, it’s the perfect place to hold all kinds of events, and various layouts can be provided that are tailored to suit each unique set of needs. So, whether you’re envisioning a boardroom or classroom style set-up or dreaming more along the lines of a theatre or cabaret, anything is possible.
For larger events, the spaces can accommodate up to 300 guests, with day delegate packages available and added bells and whistles like video conferencing ensuring a thoroughly modern experience.
High-tech throughout
The Conrad London St. James is at the cutting edge of the latest technology – something that is evident throughout its host of modern facilities as well as across the overall guest experience. From its high-tech fitness centre, which is fully equipped with an advanced array of machines and apparatus including Life Fitness cardiovascular and training equipment, to the 42 inch plasma screen TVs in each room, there’s nothing about this hotel that is dated.
From start to finish, the latest in technology has been implemented to ensure a smooth and seamless stay, and has brought the Conrad St. James well and truly into the modern age.
Factbox
Double rooms from £320 a night. Breakfast is included.
Address: Conrad London St James, 22-28 Broadway, London SW1H 0BH, England
Phone: +44 203 3018080
Website: conradhotels3.hilton.com
