Welcome, says the very tall, silver haired hotel doorman with a smart red tie and top hat, and he actually sounds as though he means it.
The Athenaeum is located in a seriously
posh part of London where the streets are filled with the latest model Porsche,
Maserati and Rolls Royce cars, but the vibe at this hotel is all about feeling
at home. Family-owned with five-stars, the hotel overlooks Green Park in Piccadilly.
It’s lux all the way with plenty of marble
and mirrors making our room seem like a stage set but it’s the little touches
that make all the difference. The very
thick, piped bath robes and equally plush white towels, the soft feather
pillows and quilt on the queen-sized bed and the refreshing aroma of the
bergamot-infused toiletries.
Best of all, I opened the complimentary (except alcohol) mini bar to discover some of my fave things – Ben & Jerry
ice cream, Mars bars, and gourmet potato chips.
Things I loved about this hotel include the
oversized shower, which had seriously great water pressure, the extremely
comfortable four poster bed, and the separate mirrored vanity nook.
Starting the day in the Athenaeum's dining room with a fruit salad bowl of
raspberries and black berries followed by a full English breakfast with eggs,
sausage, bacon, tomato and a side of black pudding seemed the right thing to
do.
While the wrap around high-back chairs
provided plenty of dining privacy we did spot the odd celebrity lining up for
breakfast but it wouldn’t be nice to say who.
The location also makes this hotel
special. A short walk through Green
Park and you are on Buckingham Palace’s doorstep. Hop on a Big Bus tour, minutes from
the front door and you find yourself touring the streets of London as the guide
reels off a list of places straight from a game of Monopoly.
What's great about this hotel? Excellent position, free wi-fi, warm welcome, on-site spa, opposite Buckingham Palace and Green Park, and a well-stocked complimentary mini bar.
Bottom line: Best rate I could find on Wotif - £317 per night.
Kerry Heaney
Disclaimer: Ed+bK was a guest of The Athenaeum and travelled to London courtesy of Cathay Pacific Airlines.