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St. James is this months 5 Star Pick for one of the best places to stay in London
Recently my husband and I, once again, checked into the beautifully appointed small boutique hotel in London, the St. James. The St. James caters to an upscale clientèle and is our favorite hotel in London. This gem of a hotel sits at the end of a cul-de-sac , allowing a most welcomed quiet atmosphere, in spite of being in the midst of the bustling city of London. The hotel is just off St. James Street, named after the nearby St. James Palace. Because this hotel is in a wonderful location, just minutes from Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Square, the Burlington Arcade, the Royal Academy of Arts and my favorite specialty department store, Fortnum & Mason, make sure to bring your most comfortable walking shoes.
Once one steps inside the front door of this truly exquisite Victorian townhouse turned hotel, there is a warm and friendly greeting by the staff. The staff makes every effort to remember the names of their guests, which definitely provides a feeling of security. From the concierge, to the maids, it is clear their number one priority is making guests feel as comfortable as possible. Over the years we have found the staff to be of the highest caliber.
The St. James was renovated recently. What a beautiful job! The designers had their eyes on comfort and elegance when creating the new look for all 60 rooms. There is a nice balance in the decor. Basically it is traditional, but with a lovely contemporary touch. The superior and deluxe rooms, as well as bathrooms, are on the smallish side, but are extremely well appointed. The walk-in shower is great! All the rooms have a desk with an easy connection hookup to the Internet. Sitting in bed and using nearby controls for lights, TV, etc., is a great feature. And, most important of all, the king-sized beds, with their luxurious down comforters, are heavenly and, in our opinion, remain on the top of our list of the most comfortable beds in all of Europe.
The restaurant and bar located on the main floor of the hotel are lovely indeed. The atmosphere is that of an upscale bistro...sophisticated but comfortable, intimate but not cramped. The food is delicious. As a matter of fact the hotel's executive chef has made a name for himself by winning the Michelin star and three AA rosettes. My husband and I always enjoy the British tradition of High Tea in the late afternoon. With all its delightful pastries and small sandwiches so pleasing to our taste buds, we would unequivocally describe this experience as delectable!
Wherever we travel in the world, not a day goes by when someone doesn't ask my husband, if he is the actor, Nick Nolte. Celebrities often check into hotels under different names in an attempt to travel anonymously. The bellman at the St. James, in a typically lovely British accent, politely approached and said, "Mr. Nolte may I take your bags to the room now?" My husband replied, "I am not Nick Nolte." The bellman being very discreet said, "I understand".
If you have a taste for luxury, require an excellent location and wish to enjoy impeccable service, the St. James is the hotel for you.
This article was written by Daphne Goodyear. Daphne and her husband Richard are well seasoned International Travelers, traveling the globe for decades. After years of our begging we are happy to announce that Daphne Goodyear has joined the MrFiveStar Travel writers as VP of MrFiveStar "Boutique Properties Editor". Daphne and Richard call home Sarasota Florida and Jackson Hole Wyoming. Daphne can be reached at
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Pictured here, Daphne and her traveling best friends.
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