Standing on one of my many terraces at St James Hotel and Club overlooking Green Park and beyond, I cannot but think I am in paradise. Sun streams down onto the decking, placing warm kisses on my face as I sip my champagne lounged in my wicker chaise longue – life does not get much better than this.
Staying at St James Hotel and Club
St James’s Hotel and Club has been known for providing the highest standards of hospitality since it first opened its doors as a gentlemen’s chamber for the English aristocracy. This intimate and luxurious 5-star hotel was recently refurbished and is ideally located just off St. James’s Street, near prestigious Mayfair and Piccadilly, in a beautiful red-fronted Victorian townhouse. Boasting London’s smallest Michelin-starred restaurant Seven Park Place by William Drabble, and renowned Cocktail Bar William’s Bar, this small boutique establishment knows how to impress and the same goes for the immaculate rooms and suites this hotel has to offer.
On a sunny spring afternoon, I checked in to the beautiful Terrace Suite at St James Hotel and Club located on the top floor. This suite derives its name from the abundance of terraces attached to the room – like a Pandora’s box, I kept discovering another terrace through every door in the Suite, the largest providing seating overlooking the Park and perfect for a summer gathering or a spot of secluded lounging with a cheeky glass of bubbles of two.
After playing “find the terraces”, I finally took in the ambience and scope of this beautiful suite, with a lounge, grand bedroom and bathroom this room is indeed of generous size, definitely big enough for me and my Louis Vuitton. The lounge has a very comfortable sofa and set of chairs surrounding a fireplace, perfect for romantic nights in. There is also a leather-covered desk if you so wish to dabble in a spot of business during your stay, after all, there is complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.
The bedroom at St James Hotel and Club hosts the largest bed I think I have ever seen (even lying across it horizontally I could not reach both ends), dressed with so many plush cushions it is difficult not to rush to bed before experiencing the rest of the suite and hotel. The bathroom, which can be accessed from both the bedroom and hallway, has a spa bath with jets *squeals with excitement*, a walk-in wet room and a separate toilet, his and her sinks and just in case you cannot tear yourself away from the news/movie/game there is a TV mounted in the wall.
With so much to play with, I am like a child in choosing what to do first. Unable to decide, I order some room service – maybe a cocktail or two will make up my mind. At St James Hotel and Club, there are two room service menus, one for the day and one for “after hours”. Both have a great choice of dishes catering to most tastes.
After devouring my offerings from the kitchen and bar, I decide, now that the sun has gone down, to run myself a bath, the call of the jets and thousands of bubbles was too much for this Lady to resist! Lounging back in the bath, surrounded by bubbles and listening to the jazz on the TV, I almost forgot for one moment that St James Hotel and Club is so centrally located, with easy access to the hustle and bustle of London’s shopping districts, theatre-land and drinking holes of Mayfair, Soho and beyond. So wonderfully designed are the rooms and the hotel itself, you do feel like you are protected from the big bad city outside.
After my luxurious bath, I wrap myself up in my towelling bath robe, make my way to the bedroom and, reclining on the bed, I am transported to the land of nod engulfed by the plush sea of pillows. I am so far on my way to the land of nod that I almost do not hear the doorbell for breakfast. Scrambling to the front door, I admit the wonderful porter, who brings in my tray laden with delights.
I opted to dine in the room for breakfast, mostly so I could take advantage again of the terraces, but you can choose to eat downstairs in William’s Bistro for breakfast if you so desire. Sitting on my terrace, wearing my crisp white robe and slippers I sip my coffee, yet again marvelling at the beautiful sunshine spreading across the decked terrace and facade of the hotel.
After eating the wonderful spread of streaky bacon and scrambled eggs, with a bread basket of croissants and pains au chocolat, all washed down with fresh orange juice and coffee, I make use of the walk-in wet room. With its cascade shower head, it feels like being caught in a tropical storm, plus with speakers in the shower, you can enjoy music while you wash. Unfortunately, it was now time to go, packing my bag was an unpleasant task and I faced the reality that it was time to check out of this wonderful suite and hotel. Upon leaving the amazing staff asked how my stay was; my answer was: “Do I really have to leave?”
St. James Hotel and Club
7-8 Park Place
London
SW1A 1LS
