Checking out: The Cavendish Hotel London

Affordable luxury in the heart of Mayfair

Driving into Jermyn Street you would have no idea that the country is recovering from one of the worst recessions since the war. After being nearly mowed down by two huge Rolls Royce’s I crossed the road from the Queens grocers Fortnum & Masons and entered my central London home for the night.

Rubbing shoulders with some of the most exquisite shops in the world, the Cavendish Hotel is perfectly positioned on the corner of Jermyn Street and Duke Street, the former being the name ITV affectionately gave to one of her most famous owners.

Checking in

Electric doors open on to a modern reception, a small bar area to the right is home to tourists with maps out planning the last of the afternoons excursions.

Check in is warm and professional, no waiting and before I know it I’m in the lift on my way to the top floor. My room is directly opposite the lift, my first thought is I’m going to be kept awake all night with that opening and closing. I’m pleased to say I was proved wrong.

The room

The soft click of the door opening leads me into a narrow passage with the bathroom to the left and the wardrobe directly ahead.

The room is modern, well lit with great views over London. The post office tower to the left and Big Ben to the right, you can spend a good 45 minutes spotting all the London landmarks in between.

The wood panelling and soft colours provide a relaxed and practical room, ideal for a business stay or leisure. The bed is extremely comfortable, with great pillows and mattress.

As I wrestle with the theft proof hangers, my mind wonders to Rosa Lewis who bought the hotel in 1902 and whether she would have entertained such draconian measures to stop people taking such prize possessions.

The bathroom is modern, spacious and well equipped with a large separate shower.

The Restaurant

I dine out but read the menu for dinner in the one rosette Petrichor Restaurant headed up by Nitin Padwal. Starters range from £7.50 to £10.50 for Ballotine of Rabbit leg served with Maris Piper potato puree and red wine sauce. Main courses start at £17.50 and go to £22.50 for Roasted fillet of Beef served with braised Ox cheek millefeuille, celeriac and black truffle puree. Desserts cost £7.50. There is a pre-theatre menu with two courses costing £14.95. The menu is well balanced and packed with British autumnal influences.

Breakfast is the usual buffet affair with options to order from the kitchen. It is served in the spacious Petrichor restaurant. The large room is furnished in rich reds and golds and provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The buffet is of good quality although the scrambled eggs could be hotter. Attentive and friendly service provides a stress free experience.

There is a lounge area just outside of the restaurant which provides a great space to sit with a coffee and newspaper.

All in all

The Cavendish Hotel is in an excellent central London location. A great base for a London shopping trip, and close enough to Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Soho for fun in the evening.

Who stays here?
From dukes to businessmen, ladies who lunch to style conscious shoppers

Bottom line:
Rack rates for classic rooms are £300 ex vat, Superior rooms £325 ex vat, Executive rooms £365 ex vat, Junior Suites £465 ex vat and Penthouse Suites £565 ex vat.

Check out the hotel website for special offers at http://www.thecavendish-london.co.uk

Need to know:
The Cavendish London, 81 Jermyn Street, St James’s, London, SW1Y6JF

(T) 020 7930 2111
(F) 020 7839 2125
(E) info@thecavendishlondon.com
(W) www.thecavendishlondon.com

Getting there:
Virgin trains from Preston to Euston www.virgintrains.com