HotelChatter

London / 2012 Olympics Hotels / Olympics Hotels / Hotel News / Hotel News Briefs / Sports Hotels / → All Tags

Could London Hotels Suffer a Post-Olympics 'Hangover?'

2012 will be a huge year for London in more ways than one. With the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and a certain international sports event set to descend upon the city, Londontown will see a massive influx of tourists. Hotel rooms are rapidly being snapped up by intelligent travelers, and profit projections for city lodgings remain promisingly high.

But what will become of the city after the torch has been extinguished and tinsel and confetti from the Queen's celebration swept away? According to a recent report by local commuter publication of choice, the London Evening Standard, a dark cloud may descend over the city come 2013.

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London / London Hotel Scene / London Hotels / Great Britain Hotels / Fashion Week Hotels / Hotel Teas / → All Tags

Nosh on Tom Ford at The Berkeley Hotel's Prêt-à-Portea

Where: Wilton Place, London, United Kingdom, SW1X 7RL

As Fashion Week migrates from New York to London, Team Hotel Chatter thought it an appropriate time to sample The Berkeley Hotel's kitschy, but undeniably cute, Prêt-à-Portea. The sartorially themed tea is inspired by major designers from London and beyond, with attempts made to capture their aesthetic in the form of twee cookies and cakes.

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London / London Hotel Scene / Service / Hotel Reviews / Hotel News Briefs / Hotels / Europe Hotels / European Hotels / → All Tags

London Hotels Can't Get No Guest Satisfaction

Surly, not sweet: London hotels slammed by a recent customer satisfaction report

The oft uttered stereotype that Brits lack grace in the service department was recently reinforced by a report compiled by Trivago, a hotel price comparison website. Measured against 1,000 cities and towns throughout Europe, London ranked dead last by way of reputation amongst travelers, followed closely behind by Birmingham.

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Hotel High Tea / Events / London / → All Tags

Escape A Fussy Hotel High Tea With Vintage Fun At Covent Garden

If you're lucky enough to be in London tomorrow, and are perhaps in the mood for a little stylish high tea, we recommend heading over to Covent Garden's First Ever Vintage Tea Party from 5pm to 7pm. It will take the concept of formal hotel tea and move into the space of the Covent piazza, complete with classic crockery, ‘20’s themed music a gypsy tea-reader, and vintage accessories with which to adorn yourself.

It's the cheapest high tea we've heard of, with tea and cakes for only £5 and Prosecco cocktails and cakes for £8, and the event will be followed up with a traditional Tea Dance lead by ladies in full 1920’s attire, schooled in the art of the Lindy Hop and the Waltz. Hotels don't exactly welcome you getting up and dancing after indulging in their proper tea times, so we say take advantage of this all-out festival.

[Photo: London Evening Standard]

Political Hotels / Barack Obama / London / G20 / Mandarin Oriental / → All Tags

G20 Taking Care of Business at London's Mandarin Oriental

Where: 66 Knightsbridge, London, United Kingdom, SW1X 7LA

April's Fools Day may be long over, but memories of the dinner that "Naked Chef" Jamie Oliver cooked for the G20 leaders in London that night will remain forever...or at least until it's all digested. After a filling meal that focused on fresh and "British" ingredients, Nicholas Sarkozy and posse headed back to his hotel, the Mandarin Oriental, for a little after dinner mint and negotiations regarding that lovely little tax haven of Macau.

When not holed up in meetings with other G20 leaders, what do you suppose Sarkozy did with his time spent in the grand environs of the Mandarin? We like to think that he balanced all the wine-drinking and rich meals out by hitting the gym a couple times, but how could a stressed world leader resist the charms of the hotel's "Zen Color Therapy Relaxation" room or its "Amethyst Crystal Steam Room?" If we had to sit in tense meetings all day, with the fate of parts of the world on our shoulders, then you can be sure we'd spring for a "Ama Releasing Abhyanga" treatment to balance our chakras.

Want to play president and treat yourself to a night where Sarkozy slept and dreamt of gambling in Macau? Be prepared to fork over more than 3,990 GBP ($5,891) for a Deluxe Suite this month, or 255 GBP ($376.50) for a regular room—perfect for any Nicholas and Carla Bruni fantasies you have going.

[Mandarin Hotel photo via Mandarin Hotels; G20 Summit photo via The Guardian]