Before boarding a cruise ship in Southampton earlier this year, we opted to stay in London for a couple of days to shake off jet lag, relax and enjoy one of the great cities of the world. Our search for an upscale but affordable hotel within walking distance of some favorite haunts brought us to The Arch London. This luxurious hotel of linked historic Georgian townhouses is tucked away on a residential street, just blocks away from the bustling West End and Hyde Park and a nifty restaurant row just around the corner.
Admiring the classic white Georgian townhouses around the city, we often wondered what it would be like to live in one. Here was our chance. The Arch London comprises seven townhouses and two mews homes stitched together and modified the interior to serve
hotel guests with no sacrifice of historic charm and detail. It blends beautifully into this very exclusive area, attested to by a neighbor across the street named Madonna, who frequently books the hotel for visiting friends and events. Unfortunately, she was away during our stay, visiting Portugal to cheer on her soccer playing son.
It’s not surprising that this five-star property is regularly ranked among the top 20 Luxury hotels in the UK on TripAdvisor and earned the 2017 Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Award. Our room was large and very comfortable, a creative mix of historic flourishes and contemporary furnishings and art. A handpicked selection of classic novels awaits suite guests along
with an internet rad
io with over 19,000 channels to keep guests from all across the world entertained and informed. The spacious bathrooms include heated anti-steam mirrors and flat-screen TVs built into the wall above baths.
The hotel is full of notable contemporary art pieces, including in the rooms. The expansive library club room is tastefully and comfortably furnished. Rare tabletop books are neatly stacked on the shelves for guests to enjoy. They also use the room for special events including gatherings requested by the lady across the street. You never know who you’ll meet here, celebrities love this hotel because of its modest size and discreet staff.
Service by the entire staff – doormen to the desk clerks – was world-class. For example, we asked for suggestions for a nearby restaurant that was casual and reasonable with great food, the doorman not only suggested Grazing Goat, but led us the two blocks to gastropub. The pick was spot on; the casual but sophisticated ambiance and food were just right for our first night in London.
Our dining the next night at the hotel’s Hunter 486 restaurant took farm-to-table cuisine to a whole new level. We were seated in the dining room’s Le Salon de Champagne section of the dining, with its intimate leather booths, oozes timeless London glamour. We enjoyed wines perfectly matched with the tasting menu’s beautiful array of artfully plated dishes. Our desserts were jaw dropping. The wine list was extensive, with 27 selections available by the glass. It was easy to see why it was named to The World of Fine Wine World’s Best Wine Lists 2017.
Now that we’ve discovered it’s possible to live the good life in London and not break the bank, we plan to make The Arch London our second home when we are in the city. And if you wisely decide to stay here, please say hi to Madonna for us.
The Arch London, 50 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, London W1H 7FD
For reservations, please call: 020 7724 4700 or www.
thearchlondon.com
