NICHE REVIEW
Mixing work and leisure at Strand Palace A stay at this London hotel provided a meaningful break for a busy business owner WORDS BY JENNY CROSS
I
’ve always loved the feeling that comes with a visit to London. The hustle and bustle of city life. Different people, everyone bobbing and weaving through the crowds. The theatre district, a vibrant area that showcases some of London’s most recognised, flagship venues such as the Savoy. There is just so much on offer from food to theatre, coffee to cocktails. Like stepping onto a Monopoly board, this week I walked the streets of Mayfair and Pall Mall to get to the Strand. Booked into Strand Palace Hotel, which is set in the heart of London, this hotel has been welcoming guests since 1909. Possibly one of the most stunning hotels London has to offer in regards of design, style, cleanliness, quality, service, and of course, location. As the owner of a business that is actively making changes to become more sustainable, it was meaningful to me that Strand Palace is committed to working responsibly and ethically to improve its sustainability. In May 2020, the hotel underwent a
multi-million pound refurbishment which saw the introduction of energy-efficient solutions, carpets made from recycled materials, and LED lighting, and completed with a modern art deco-inspired design. Dropping off my bags at the hotel early Thursday morning, it was a beautiful walk through the Mall towards The Ritz, where we enjoyed a famous afternoon tea. Heading back for a change of shoes, the hotel was en route to The Tate Modern and London Bridge where we had chosen to spend the afternoon and evening. After enjoying London by night, we headed back to the hotel to watch a film from the comfort of our huge bed. The bed was nothing like the usual hotel standard and the pillows were far above anything you would usually find anywhere else. In fact, I could happily say these were the sort of pillows you’d treat yourself to at home. Breakfast, served from 6.30am-10.30am in the hotel restaurant, was a delight. The coffee, croissants and full English really set us up for another day
IT WAS MEANINGFUL TO ME THAT STRAND PALACE IS COMMITTED TO WORKING RESPONSIBLY AND ETHICALLY TO IMPROVE ITS SUSTAINABILITY
in the big city. The sausages and hash browns were for me the highlights. After a leisurely breakfast, we nipped back to the room so I could finish a bit of work – an internet connection with no faffing about to log in… another of the small details that makes a big difference. Again, location-wise it was ideal as we took a relaxed stroll to Covent Garden for a spot of shopping from Tiffany’s to the quirky Neon Sheep, which is crammed full of random gifts that would put a smile on anyone’s face. All in all, a truly lovely couple of days away. I will certainly be booking to stay at Strand Palace again!
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