The hotel's long history stretches back to 1897, yet it is not in the least out of date, far from it in fact. A few years ago, the entire building was renovated and redecorated. The concept of the bars and restaurants was changed so that it now offers a masterful blend of old and new, with the old structures and beautiful ceilings now complemented by modern furniture. The colours are soothing and make you feel at home. Throughout all the guests' rooms and on to the bars and restaurants, the design must be one of the most accomplished in any luxury hotel. Take, for instance, the Coburg Bar. Its ceiling alone is worth a visit, and paired with the plush feel of the place, transporting you back to the Roaring 20s, here you would find it hard to resist the temptation to order a cocktail or glass of Champagne (vintage Krug is served by the glass here!) and let time go by. Moving on to the restaurant, you will discover that chef Hélène Darroze serves a highly contemporary rendition of Basque cooking in a room that has clearly had no costs spared in its conception. Only the finest crockery and cutlery are used and the designer India Madhavi has managed to remove the heavy feeling of the space, without spoiling any of the old details. It is beautiful. The only thing one could hope for is a more consistently friendly service. Sometimes it is fantastic, but can also be a little rough. Aside from this one drawback, the Connaught has considerable charm, whether your visit may be for a few nights, or just a drink. Is it the hotel's long history, the beauty of its design or the quality of the food and drinks? Hard to say, but whatever it is, spending time at the Connaught is certainly time well spent, in the best of all British ways.
the Connaught has considerable charm, whether your visit may be for a few nights, or just a drink.
