Conrad London St. James Hotel – stay and afternoon tea

I have so many friends who plan on visiting London and the first question they ask me is where to stay? I’d offer my humble home, but we haven’t signed the contract just yet, so we still have to figure out our own accommodation. Still, there are so many amazing hotels in London to cater to all needs, that I have started recommending Conrad London St. James.

Location

The hotel sits on the doorstep of Westminster, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, thus the prime location to all tourists eager to take in as much of the famous landmarks in London. If you’re in London for a day, or a week then it is definitely the best location that will offer you not only fast access to London’s culture, art, food and adventure, but also great service and a comfortable stay. Less than a 10-minute walk from the Houses of Parliament, a short stroll to Trafalgar Square, or St James’s Park right across the hotel, the ideal location is just one of the reasons you should stay at Conrad next time you’re in London. 

Facilities and rooms

This smart choice for a modern-day traveller just steps away from the most iconic London sites boasts with stunning decor. The 19th century facade and the historic Queen Anne’s Chambers speak about legendary excellence in hospitality. The hotel used to be government offices, but now it is a really beautiful luxurious hotel with a lot of glossy cream and dark wood, specially commissioned art collection and a sculptural reimagining of the House of Commons featuring famous faces from the world of comics.

There are many function rooms for meetings, as well as a concierge app to pre-order extra towels, customised toiletries and check in early. You can also work out while at the hotel in the specially designed gym. The room we stayed in was cosy, with a really comfy bed, a minimalist modern design and a really amazing bathroom complete with brown marble, huge shower and every toiletry one needs.

Afternoon tea

We were keen to try the lovely afternoon tea served in Emmeline’s Lounge, a beautiful space with natural light, spring blooms and a luxurious vibe. The overflowing champagne, personal tea sommelier and the exceptional service only speak about one of the best afternoon teas in London. We started with a light hot smoked trout pate with lemon & chive served on a brioche, alongside garden pea, mint and goats cheese sprinkled crostini. 

No afternoon tea without the traditional sandwiches, but these ones had that extra special taste, which makes you crave for more. Free range egg with avocado and mayonnaise on walnut sultana bread; Scottish oak smoked salmon, chives onion cream cheese on pain de mie; Coronation chicken with sultanas, almonds on caraway bread; Rare roast English beef caramelised with red onion and watercress; Elderflower, pickled cucumber, radish, and a slather of cream cheese. Who could resist this symphony of savoury treats? 

The fluffy scones were absolutely delicious, and we served them with a rich clotted cream, strawberry compote and a delectable lemon curd. By this time we were quite ready to hit the gym, but the beautiful sweet desserts waiting for us on the plate were hard to resist: an apple and pistachio opera cake, matcha tea macarons and the key lime tartlet that was the piece de la resistance. 

The menu keeps changing, so next time you’re at Emmeline’s you will get to sample a fresh new seasonal menu. I would gladly return with my friends, as I feel this special spot in London is becoming my favourite for gatherings in style. 

The political links of the hotel means you might run into politicians that rule the world, businessmen, and curious tourists alike. I know for sure this has become one of the best places to have afternoon tea and spend the night just to be close to all the London’s attractions. Or simply because you can’t get enough of that comfy bed! 

• Afternoon Tea
• Conrad St James