Brad A. Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
    • Food Photography
    • Travel Photography
    • Restaurant Photography
    • Hotel & Resort Photography
  • Writing
  • Contact
Brad A. Johnson

Food & Travel

Brad A Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
    • Food Photography
    • Travel Photography
    • Restaurant Photography
    • Hotel & Resort Photography
  • Writing
  • Contact

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.

 

Share
Tweet
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.

Previous Article

Where to Eat Now: London

  • May 17, 2014
  • Brad A. Johnson
View Post
Next Article

Review: Ace Hotel, Los Angeles

  • May 18, 2014
  • Brad A. Johnson
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Travel: Adventure
  • Travel: Asia
  • Travel: Culinary
  • Travel: Europe

R.I.P. Crystal Cruises (Update: Returning in 2023!)

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • February 6, 2022
View Post
  • Travel: Europe

Photo of the Week: Isola San Giorgio (Venice), Italy

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • April 19, 2020
View Post
  • Travel: Europe

Photo of the Week: Ravello, Italy

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • December 14, 2019
View Post
  • Travel: Culinary
  • Travel: Europe

Dish of the Week: The Hams in Spain

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • March 16, 2019
View Post
  • Travel: Europe

Hotel Review: The Nadler Soho, London

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • May 4, 2016
View Post
  • Travel: Adventure
  • Travel: Asia
  • Travel: Culinary
  • Travel: Europe
  • Travel: United States

World’s Best Cruise Line for Cuisine

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • May 17, 2015
View Post
  • Travel: Culinary
  • Travel: Europe

One Night in Florence, For a Steak

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • June 29, 2014
View Post
  • Travel: Europe

Quick Review: Gallery Hotel Art, Florence, Italy

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • June 29, 2014
This is the new Lao restaurant in Westminster that everyone will soon be talking about. The pork sausages, the barbecue chicken thighs, the sticky rice, the khao piak (Lao chicken noodle soup)...⁠ Link in stories. 179 5
Finally got around to discovering Del Rey, a super-sexy little speakeasy and tapas bar tucked inside the estate of Villa Royale in Palm Springs. Very tasty. Very cool. More details on the blog. ⁠ 122 4
Villa Royale, Palm Springs. Really cool vibe. Quick review on the blog. Link in stories. Will definitely be back. ⁠ 120 1
A few more scenes from my annual 75 Best Places to Eat in the @ocregister. Hungry yet? ⁠ 239 3
Today's the day! My annual dining guide to the 75 Best Places to Eat in Orange County is live. (The OC Register's print subscribers will find the print supplement in tomorrow's home delivery; unfortunately, the printed version is not available on newsstands.) The ranked list is back for the first time since 2019, plus a big new twist this year. It's behind the paywall, sorry. ⁠ 355 44
#JoshuaTree #Camping #Airstream #vacation #roughingit 88 4
Brad A. Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
  • Writing
  • Contact
Writer. Photographer. Traveler. Restaurant Critic.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.