Eco friendly, centrally located, stunning views and delicious food…..all in the one place.
First thing to comment on when describing Lancaster London is the VIEWS! As close to Hyde Park as you can get, the vistas over the park and the city of London are truly amazing. At night time the twinkling lights of the ‘London Eye’ and the ‘Gherkin’ and a plethora of other London landmarks can plainly been seen….It’s stunning to behold.
The Lancaster London͛ is an impressive building, just a five minute walk from Marble Arch and the shops of Oxford Street and ten minutes in a taxi to Knightsbridge and Harrods. It͛s a hotel that certainly puts you in the centre of the most vibrant of cities and gives you so many options to use as a base to explore the metropolis.
Walking into the oriental carpeted lobby, strewn with deep leather seats and sofas, with a large wooden reception area, Lancaster London has the feeling of an old world, gentleman͛s club. It͛s quiet and elegant. The staff here are happy to attend to your every need. I had forgotten my earplugs, (I am addicted to earplugs!), and within minutes of asking, the concierge had delivered the best ear plugs I have ever used.
There are two restaurants to choose from at the Lancaster London, both with views over Hyde Park. The 2 AA Rosette restaurant, Island Grill is a laid back, stylish and contemporary eatery offering modern European dishes, an extensive range of bar snacks and cocktails. It͛s the place to go for lunch or dinner, just for drinks or a fabulous three course meal.
Surrounded by original Thai artefacts within a beautifully panelled teak interior complete with luxurious Thai furnishings, Nipa Thai͛, is another of the hotel’s 2 AA Rosette restaurants and where I ate on the evening I stayed, is one of an elite selection of Thai restaurants in the UK to have received the “Thai Select” award from the Thai Government for restaurants proven to have achieved the highest standards of quality and cuisine. Having travelled recently to Thailand I can confirm that the spicy Tom Yum soup and perfectly crisp sea bass I tried were both delicious and authentically Thai.
The next morning breakfast was served in a light filled glass roofed room, with the sun streaming through, (alas, I cannot guarantee the sunshine on your visit!). The honey served at breakfast is made by the bees that live on the roof of the hotel. In 2009, beehives were installed on the roof and there are now ten hives surrounded by free friendly plants in the rooftop garden, cared for by the hotel’s ͞Bee Team͟. It feels quite special to know the honey you are eating comes from right above your head!
It is no wonder that Lancaster London’s commitment to protecting the environment is reflected in its many recent awards for eco-friendly practices. It was won AA Eco Hotel of the Year, The Considerate Hotel of the Year, as well as being awarded a Gold Star in the Green Tourism for Business Scheme.
Lastly, I would advise trying the afternoon tea, which looked spectacular and full of fanciful delights. Unfortunately I could not manage another morsel, but if you get to try it, you may be pleased to know there is a well-equipped gym for guests only, to work off all those treats!