My stay at the Sofitel London St James, an exceptional place which certainly falls into the category of “excellence”, was memorable in many ways. I will tell you a few of the thousand and one reasons that should encourage you to stay here.
Nobody expects, when visiting the British capital city, to find, an atmosphere in which French elegance flirts with British audacity in the heart of the West End. The building’s neo-classical facade, once home to a bank, now conceals rooms by Pierre-Yves Rochon, recently updated, with panache, in an Art Deco style which gives the establishment its special cachet. The designer has managed to combine two worlds in even the smallest details, crossing French modernism with classic British elegance in a poem of bold colours and creating a haven of tranquillity. It’s difficult not to be captivated by the prevailing atmosphere.
However, this is far from being the only asset of this, the London home of the jewel of French hospitality, where everything is done to give the guests an unforgettable experience. Amongst the hotel’s array of treasures are Wild Honey St James, the iconic restaurant that, in 2019, moved into the hotel, and the St James Bar, which was directly inspired by the Paris apartment of Coco Chanel.
I always feel that the quality of the food is a reliable indicator of the exclusivity of a hotel, and I will long remember that of the Sofitel London St James. Both at the Wild, where chef Simon Woodrow has joined with chef Anthony Demestre to put together a menu largely inspired by French cuisine with British regional produce, and at the Rose Lounge where the famous English ritual of afternoon tea has become very French, the gourmet experience meets every possible expectation.
Tasting over, it’s time for visiting, and that fits in nicely because the hotel is only a step away from the best-regarded sites in London.
Comfort beyond criticism, refinement in decor just as much as on the plate, irreproachable service, British spirit with a French touch, and atmosphere which inspires reveries; that is the memory I have of the exclusive Sofitel London St James.
A delight, which is both a haven and just a short stroll from all the energy of London life.
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