Hotel Reviews
Brown's Hotel
Albermarle Street, London, England, UK
+44 (0)800 223 6800
www.brownshotel.com
This five-story hotel has an impeccable pedigree since 1837 when Lord Byron's valet first opened it. It was subsequently bought by the Ford family and is now owned by Rocco Forte. Located in the smartest part of London between Piccadilly and Berkley Square it is surrounded by exclusive galleries, cafes, bars and boutiques. It reopened in Dec 2005 after an 18-month closure for a £19 million refurbishment. The 11 Georgian mansions that make up the hotel now have a seamless interior. Agatha Christie fans may appreciate that her book "At Bertram's Hotel" is in fact Brown's hotel.
On a rainy afternoon they fielded three liveried doormen with umbrellas on the hotel step along with three more at the concierge desk immediately inside. There isn't much of a lobby but guests are escorted to reception (with two more staff) that is deeper inside the hotel. Staff efficiency is superb and guests are a clear priority.
Brown's has a more limited range of bar and dining options than many large hotels but what they do have they do superbly. Classic old English service and hospitality starts at the front door and continues throughout the hotel.
The Grill
The Grill is the main restaurant providing all day dining and is very popular with non-residents. The cuisine has a strong traditional English emphasis but with some continental flair. The classic English roast and desert puddings are firm favorites. The roast is carved from a tableside trolley and a three course set lunch costs £30. Live jazz accompanies Sunday lunch.
The Donovan Bar
The Donovan Bar is a new and very stylish bar without a stuffy club atmosphere. Terrance Donovan photographs line the walls including some very risque ones. A huge stained glass window depicting St. George illuminates the leather clad cocktail bar, which has a great wine cellar including vintage champagnes. Live jazz is featured every Monday - Saturday from 8pm and jazz is the general mood music at other times.
The English Tea Room
The English Tea Room and adjacent library are available for light breakfast and light lunch. But at the bewitching hour of 3pm it is transformed into a classic English tearoom with white cloths, silverware and tiered cake stands. A pianist plays from 3pm till 7pm and it's best (but not required) to book in order to guarantee a table. At $55 its not cheap but the range and quality of food and beverage is excellent and you can stay all afternoon and order everything again at no additional charge........
........The only way to sum up Brown's is to say charm, charm and more charm with plenty of elegance, character and individuality. It's not cheap but this is the place to stay for a feel of old English personal service without any eccentricity or foibles but with every modern convenience. The Hilton is bigger, is luxurious and has more of everything but it doesn't have that certain sense of style and grace or the level of personal service found at Brown's. I loved its uniqueness.