A Weekend at Rosewood London

In the heart of London, we step a mere few paces off High Holborn, and back in time through low stone arches into the quaint Edwardian courtyard of the Rosewood hotel. Every Sunday this picturesque square erupts into life and plays home to one of London’s most original and quite new Slow Food markets, filled with the crème de la crème of market sellers.

The location of Rosewood London is a traveler's dream, with Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, and the heart of the West End right on your doorstep. The building was once the financial headquarters of Pear Assurance which is echoed with the interiors such as the large mahogany doors throughout, the first floor conference rooms and the Holborn dining room which was once the bank teller’s reception.

As we walk into the hotel everything around us exudes classic English heritage from the tweed donned doorman to the ornate décor. The rose colored lobby is divided by tall glass bookcases while an aviary is the stand out feature next to the lifts.



We were promptly escorted to our Grand Premier Suite, a wonderfully spacious one bedroom residence. The Suite opens to an opulent foyer leading to a short corridor off of which are a powder room, hidden wardrobe, and a well-stocked bar; the hallway is sandwiched between two doors, the right leading to the lounge and the left to the bedroom. The space throughout the suite is utilized incredibly well so that each individual area seems very separate from the other.

It's the considerate and the adorning touches that I find special such as the cocktail guide at the bar, the Etro wool throws placed in both bedroom and lounge, the quintessentially British style stags head silver ornaments, the west end dressing table complete with a bulb adorned mirror and the remote controlled black out blinds which ensured a very sumptuous lie in are just to name but a few. The double sided walk in wardrobe leads to the marbled and grand bathroom with an engulfing rain shower and a beautiful deep soaking tub.



We are spoiled for choice when it comes to dining options with some of London's best restaurants within walking distance! But before strolling out to the heart of London, we stop by Scarfes Bar for a pre-dinner cocktail. The bar welcomes us with the atmosphere of a gentleman’s library with caricature wall art reminiscent of Punch magazine. They serve classic cocktails with a Rosewood twist. I was partial to their Bunga Bunga -- a margarita inspired cocktail that went down far too easy.



After a day of exploring the city, there is the hotel's stunning Sense Spa to soothe and pamper us. There are six single treatment rooms as well as one additional couple's room. The steam room, sauna and gym are available without booking and are complimentary when booking a spa treatment.

Slow Food Brunch at The Rosewood

The dessert compartment: A separate smaller stomach that is always there after a filling meal to just squeeze in a little sweet snack or a warm fondant, oozing with guilt and melted chocolate.

While the above not might be a Wikipedia definition, it certainly seems to resonate some truth. I also feel that similarly there is a separate part of the stomach or whole entire compartment reserved entirely for what is definitely my favorite meal; brunch. It’s not so much a meal but a weekend ritual that can last hours, which indeed it does if enjoyed correctly at The Rosewood. Carve out half a day during your stay here for an indulgent afternoon at the new Slow Food Market Brunch. All vendors must fit the Slow Food and Slow Living criteria which is based on three principles – good (local or seasonal), clean (organic / biodynamic / wild crafted / foraged / artisan ) and fair (fair trade / fair wage). Peruse the stalls and sample some of the produce on offer but careful not to fill up on snacks as its imperative to arrive for brunch with an incredibly healthy appetite.



Once welcomed into the Mirror Room, we are taken on a tour of the different courses that would be served starting with the usual breakfast suspects of fresh yogurt, fruit and artisan breads, onto the uniquely jarred salad pots and stuffed tomatoes, then moving round to the dynamic selection of cheese and cured meats followed by an egg station offering goose as well as hen eggs prepared to your request. But that’s not all, following the many preliminary courses, we will then be served the main course -- for us it is the bavette steak and perfectly roasted cod. At this point I would recommend a break with some tea or perhaps a walk before embarking on the beautiful dessert table. The staff throughout the afternoon are warm and attentive and in no hurry to rush us through our brunch.

We spend half our afternoon sampling course after course of beautifully fresh produce and will definitely be back for another visit. If the set menu at the Mirrors room seems too much for you to handle, then you can still enjoy the fresh produce from an a la carte menu in The Holborn Dining Room.



After a weekend at Rosewood London, I honestly don’t know how any other property will knock this hotel off my number one list of hotels in the English capital. This exquisite hotel will not fail to disappoint even the fussiest of luxury travelers.

Visit website: http://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/london