Durrants Hotel, London Review

We recently had an invite to stay at and review Durrants Hotel situated in the heart of the West End. This 92 bedroom hotel is an imposing Georgian building (you simply can`t miss it) that`s shrouded in history and only one of a handful of privately owned hotels left in the capital.

As soon as you enter the hotel it`s like stepping back in time and I certainly don`t mean that in a bad way. The ambience created by long lost members of the aristocracy staring down at you from their tasteful gold frames coupled with 18th Century antiques makes for an extremely welcoming first impression. Even the service is as it probably the same as it would have been like over 100 years ago when London`s finest socialites would have frequented.

The layout of the building is exactly how you`d expect a classic Georgian property, lots of enclosed spaces and narrow walkways and corridors, which adds to the interest factor.

Our room was possibly not the most spacious… but then again this is London and rooms were far smaller in the olden days. It`s important to state that there are bigger rooms and suites so don`t let this put you off. The decor was tasteful and in sync with the style throughout the hotel. The en-suite bathroom was coated in marble and provided all the basics, although it was once again relatively small – but perfectly adequate for our needs. We had a plasma and internet connection… and to be honest we were very happy!

Two rooms we must mention are the Grill Room Restaurant & George Bar. We were privileged enough to trial the delights of the Grill Room and have to point out that the Duck breast was exquisite. The restaurant is open to the general public and can seat around 50 or so persons. There is a daily menu and an a la carte menu to select from and judging by the smiles from other diners, the chef hits the mark every time! If you love your vino then the wine list is extensive and to die for.

The George bar is just one of those incredibly atmospheric rooms with loads of memories from a century or two ago. It`s all very `Dickens` to be honest and if the thought of stepping off the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street and into a relaxed, traditional setting floats your boat then this is definitely an option. Doubles start from £250 per night.

To sum up… if you are looking for cutting edge architecture and contemporary design then this perhaps isn`t for you, but if you enjoy the finer things in life and have a thirst to taste Georgian `town culture` as it was 100 years ago then this is an experience not to be missed.