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Brad A. Johnson

Food & Travel

Brad A Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
    • Food Photography
    • Travel Photography
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    • Hotel & Resort Photography
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Hotel Review: Rosewood London

  • May 17, 2014
  • Brad A. Johnson
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Rosewood London (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)

Overview: Opened in October, the 306-room Rosewood London is United States-based Rosewood’s first European hotel, and the luxury hotel group has made quite a splash. The posh, residential-style rooms and living room-like lobby were designed by Tony Chi (Stonehill Tavern in Dana Point; Mandarin Oriental New York).

The Location: In the heart of London’s theater district, Covent Garden, the hotel occupies an eight-story Edwardian manor that dates to 1912. Guests enter the Rosewood through a gated carriageway off the Dickens-era High Holborn Street, arriving in the hotel’s dramatic inner courtyard, instantly swept away from the city’s frenetic modern hustle.

Room: Grand Premier Suite No. 338. The grand premier suites are the hotel’s mid-range suites, and wow, this one is a stunner, with a luxurious living room and one of the best minibars ever created (crystal decanters filled with complimentary liquors, plus fresh fruit garnishes and mixers). The heavily gilded marble-and-mirror bathroom is fit for a Duchess, if not quite the Queen herself. The suite is serviced by butlers (coffee? ironing? sandwich?), of course, who have their own back-door entrance. This being London, the bed is naturally too soft (the norm here), but not quite the sinkhole of other five-star hotels in the city.

Food/drink: Opened in March, Holborn Dining Room is a sprawling British gastropub. Next door, the hotel’s elegant Scarfes lounge has quickly become one of the city’s hottest night spots, with a see-and-be-seen bar and lots of private alcoves and nooks.

WiFi: Lightening-fast and complimentary.

Public spaces: The lobby is quaint and communal, like a residential living room with live birds and a self-serve cucumber-water bar (not that the staff actually give you a chance to serve yourself; they’re always there to lend a hand). Insider tip: Look out for the house bulldog.

Service: This is Rosewood luxury at its best. The perfectly groomed and manicured staff look like supermodels, always appearing before you even know you needed them.

Cost: $1,670 for the Grand Premier Suite. Standard rooms start at $575.

Bottom line: This is truly a world-class luxury hotel on par with the Four Seasons Georges V in Paris, the St. Regis in Rome or The Mark in New York. It is outrageously expensive, yes, but no more so than the competition, which, in London, is formidable.

Where: 252 High Holborn

Phone: 44 (0) 207-781-8888

Online: rosewoodhotels.com/london

For more travel inspiration and photos, I invite you to follow me and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

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Brad A. Johnson

Brad A. Johnson is a writer and photographer specializing in food and travel. His work has been honored by the James Beard Awards, Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards, World Food Media Awards, pdn Food Photography Awards and others. Based in Southern California, Brad currently serves as restaurant critic for the Orange County Register.

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Brad A. Johnson
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Writer. Photographer. Traveler. Restaurant Critic.

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