The Ritz London — Spoiled Splendid

The Ritz London

150 Picadilly
London, England
W1J 9BR
+44 20 7493 8181
http://www.theritzlondon.com/

My Rating: 96%
Price Rating: $$$$$

Summary of Stay: This legendary hotel sits in the heart of London. Some of my favourite shops are mere steps away. Unlike other notable hotels that attract tourists to visit their lobby, the Ritz moved it’s main entrance from Piccadilly to Arlington Street and consequently reduced the crowds. The hotel gives an inviting and elegant feel as you walk through the doors. The staff anticipate your needs and ensure that everything is perfectly looked after. A nice touch was having my Front Desk attendant personally take me up to my room and give me a tour of the common facilities. The rest of the staff knew my name the day I checked in. By the time I left, the concierges felt more like family than staff. Considering the hotel staff outnumber the hotel suites 2:1, you know that you’ll be well looked after.

Dining is taken to a new level at the Ritz. Afternoon tea is a must - which was the first hotel to allow unchaperoned women to attend tea. It books months in advance and rightfully so; the Palm Court in the Ritz redefined tea for London society. The Ritz restaurant serves a beautifully orchestrated breakfast to guests in the morning and turns around is a dining hotspot in the evening along with live music. The Rivoli Bar specializes in vintage cocktails in a very intimate setting. The Ritz London was the first hotel to receive the Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales for a banqueting and catering services.

My suite was very well appointed in Louis XVI style and was one of the largest rooms I’ve ever had in all of Europe. Lovely fireplace, king sized bed, two sitting areas and plenty of closet space. The bathroom was very spacious with nothing overlooked. Heated floors and towel racks, plush towels, Asprey toiletries and the signature white Ritz rose - a breed specifically grown for the hotel and flown in weekly from the Netherlands. The room could not have been more comfortable - from the natural light to the quality of the bed linens.

Another nice perk of the hotel is access to the Ritz Club - London’s most exclusive member’s only gaming club. Think Monte Carlo meets Mayfair - the Ritz Club is the place to be seen.

Highlight of the Hotel: The room was one of the largest I have been in throughout Europe. My specific room overlooked Piccadilly through French doors while 2 other large windows let in additional light. The high ceilings and warm peach colours made the room spacious and comfortable. There was a seasonal plant in a 'Ritz' planter - also a nice touch.

Highlight of the Stay: Tea at the Ritz really is something to take in. Besides the generous portions of delicate sandwiches to the scrumptious scones (my personal favourite), the ambiance of the Palm Court will transport you back to 1906 and all the grandeur its original guests would have felt. The white glove service is ‘spot on.’

Drawbacks: The only drawback I can think of from my stay comes with the nightly turn-down service. The room attendant turns on the television to an annoying looping advertisement for the jewelry store in the lobby. Did this affect my stay? No. But coming back to my room after a night out, turning off the commercial was the very first thing I did.