If you’re fortunate enough to get a suite at the top of the Cavendish Hotel in St. James’s Park, London, you get a view of the great city that might keep you in your room longer than you planned.
The luxury hotel stands along Jermyn St. – an international HQ of high-end shopping. The home of tailored shirts for celebrities, £3,000 handmade shoes and fragrances literally fit for a Queen, the quiet throughway in Central London is filled with quaint, little shops that have been in business for more than a century in some cases.
Rising high above all of that Edwardian aura below, The Cavendish doesn’t embrace a historic motif. It’s a thoroughly modern hotel looking to attract both the upscale business traveler and the tourist looking for clean, comfortable accommodations a short walk from Piccadilly Circus, Whitehall, Green Park and Westminster.
I had the opportunity to spend a couple of days at the Cavendish while writing up a larger piece on the Jermyn Street shopping experience. The rooms come at different size and cost levels, but each is tastefully and comfortably appointed. While some modern hotel try too hard with artsy design flourishes that never seem to fit, the Cavendish maintains an ambiance of muted colors and sophisticated, period-neutral furniture.
The staff — from the front desk to housekeeping — is helpful to a fault. They’re so attentive that this American boy wanted to tell them not to worry about me so much. At the end of the day, anything the guest wants is within reach or a phone call away.
The Lobby Bar is a hidden treat in the city. Always buzzing with Mayfair and Whitehall locals enjoying a drink and a chat, the elegant, understated joint specializes in UK distilleries and wineries. You can still order your favorite drink from major international distributors, but the bartenders can discuss and recommend any number of wines, cocktails and straight liquor unique to Britain. It’s a great opportunity to sample flavors you’re not likely to find anywhere else — and opportunities like that are why we travel.
The Cavendish is still evolving, renovating its lobby and bar area to stay ahead of design and technological curves.
Rooms range in price from £450 to £149, but check with the hotel’s website for booking specials. It’s a perfect home base for any tourist’s exploration of London.
