A guide to the world’s best hotels, spas and villas has revealed the recipients of its Awards for Excellence 2023 and two London hotels have been declared winners of their categories.
The Guardsman and Kimpton Fitzroy have been named among the UK’s best hotels by luxury hotel guide Condé Nast Johansens.
The Guardsman won the Best Afternoon Tea category for its “tailored service and five-star finesse”. Found in the exclusive central London St James’s neighbourhood, the Johansens team praised the suites with private terraces and the made-to-order coffee service available through your mobile.
Its afternoon tea is a quintessentially British meal and inspired by the nearby Royal Parks.
Taking its ques from the lavish green spaces such as Hyde Park and St James’s Park, still warm from the oven scones follow finger sandwich classics of the likes of egg mimosa and rocket mayonnaise, and Scottish salmon with cream cheese and lemon butter.
For the tea’s patisserie, diners can indulge in a raspberry pistachio and Chantilly cream tart, as well as a strawberry and cream sponge.
In Bloomsbury, Kimpton Fitzroy was named Best Urban Hotel. Described as a “19th century grande dame with a contemporary finesse”, the Johansens team the hotel was extolled the hotels interiors, noting that “all the different interior design styles in different areas of the hotel that makes you feel like you’re staying, dining and drinking in several different locations”.
Kimpton Fitzroy’s imposing and impressive building dates back to 1898, and while it retains all of its original grandeur, it has been glammed up for the present day unfussy yet lavish maximalist interiors running throughout the hotel, including its 334 guest rooms and dining and drinking spaces.
Home to Galvin Bar and Grill, part of the Michelin-starred Galvin brother’s restaurant group, the hotel also homes Burr & Co, a smart all-day café, and Fitz’s, a sumptuous cocktail den for late night indulgence.
Not far from London, The Grove in Watford, Hertfordshire, won Best Immersive Experience.
For the full list of UK, European and Mediterranean Award of Excellence 2023 winners visit johansens.com
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