When planning and booking our holiday to Fuerteventura we returned via
London to Dublin and decided to use the weekend completely, spending two
nights there. Having stayed previously at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower,
which we liked, and having passed the Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel numerous
times, we thought we should book the Lowndes to have experience with all
two Jumeirah properties in London.
The location is ideal - just a few steps from the Pierre Herme Boutique and easy walking distance to Harrods and Harvey Nichols.
We arrived shortly before
8 PM at the hotel and were welcomed warmly and with a hot towel. Check in was quickly completed.
To
our surprise we were upgraded from an Executive Room to an Executive
Suite. The receptionist accompanied us to our suite and also provided us
with important information about the hotel.
For example we could use the pool and fitness facilities of the Carlton Tower, if we wanted to.
Leading
off the small, but elegant lobby was the entrance to the Lowndes Bar
& Kitchen, where we had dinner (A review is going to follow). The
hallway, leading to the elevators, had a residential feel. On an
intricately designed table were magazines like Baku and Marie Claire
waiting.
Floors could be only accessed by a swipe of the key
card, so security was high, since the reception had to be passed first
before even reaching the elevators.
After a short tour of our suite we were left alone.
We
fell in love with the room immediately. It had views over the entrance
and the neighboring buildings. It wasn't the largest suite and more like
a junior suite. The open plan design worked well. The suite was
detailed and felt like a home.
There was a large comfortable
seating area, a table with Jumeirah, London Where, Woman & Home and
Home & Garden Magazines.
The coffee table book was about the Jumeirah Carlton Tower and its famous guests over the past 50 years.
The
Flat Screen TV was mounted to the wall and was swivable, so it could be
watched from the sofa, the bed and the writing desk. There were over 90
channels available and all the necessary international ones, like
Bloomberg and CNN.
The wardrobe contained some storage space,
the safe and the mini bar, which was well stocked with our favorite
Sunraysia Juices. Prices were as expected in a 5 star luxury
establishment. Hildon water cost 3 GBP (ca. 4 Euro or 4.40 USD),
Champagne was 35 GBP (ca. 45.50 Euro or 51.10 USD), beer 5 GBP (ca. 6.55
Euro or 7.30 USD), Jack Daniels and Johnny Walker, Gin and Vodka 7 GBP
(ca. 9.15 Euro or 10.25 USD) and snacks from 2.50 GBP to 5 GBP (ca. 3.30
Euro to 6.55 Euro / ca. 3.65 USD to 7.30 USD). We snagged the Kinder
Bueno. It was halal and tasted somewhat differently than the shop bought
European version. It was imported from the United Arab Emirates.
There was also a Nespresso Coffee machine.
The large bed was extremely comfortable and we loved the headboard with a Scottish pipe print, which was unique.
The
writing desk with a London map print was large and like the rest of the
furniture made from dark wood. We also found the "Concierge Chronicle"
there. The head concierges of the Carlton Tower and the Lowndes give
recommendations what to do and what to see. For example Szymon Romanski
of the Lowndes recommended the Chelsea & Belgravia Chocolate Tour,
Kensington Palace, Salmontini and the Star Tavern.
We encountered
Szymon in person, who is a clef d' or concierge. He was coincidently
just a few weeks earlier on holiday in the Canary Islands. Szymon was
friendly and warm and of course could answer our easy question without
problems. Before dealing with us he was organizing transportation to
Gatwick Airport for another guest.
Other details we liked were
the very fast and reliable internet access, the deaf friendly phone and
the key card holder and key cards. They had the Lowndes building printed
on them.
The color scheme of the room was neutral.
We liked also the carpet design, which reminded us about Missoni, but it was brown and beige.
The artwork was modern and one was large and Celtic inspired.
The
turn down service was every night between 19.00 and 20.00 hours. It
included two bottles of water and a little gift. On the first night it
was a Temple Spa lip balm, the other it was mint crisp chocolates. On
the night before Valentine's Day Rococo chocolates were left in
addition. There was also an accompanying letter from the General Manager
Ian Richardson wishing a Happy Valentine's and also advising that the
hotel had a high occupancy rate and that the breakfast at Lowndes Bar
& Kitchen could be busy.
Back to the turn down: The bed was made up and mats and slippers provided.
In
regards to changing sheets and towels, a disc was left on the bed and
guests can choose what, if anything, needs to be changed.
We used the wakeup call and shoe shine service, which were punctual and our shoes looked like new.
The
bathroom was medium sized with a sink, toilet, bidet, and bath
tub/shower combination. We liked the photography of flowers, the Temple
Spa amenities and the tile decoration.
We had in room breakfast
each morning. We shared a Continental Breakfast and ordered in addition
mixed berries, an egg white omelette with smoked salmon, tomatoes,
peppers and onion, a French Toast with maple syrup and had green tea and
a mixed berry smoothie. All was very delicious and beautifully
presented. We liked the
Thursday Cottage jams.
Tea was by Burchall and coffee by Caffe Torelli "Famously Italian".
We paid ca. 40 GBP (ca. 52.10 Euro / ca. 58.45 USD).
All the staff encountered was pleasant and efficient.
As always check out arrived too soon.
We
would love to return again due to feeling welcomed and at home, the
excellent location, comfort and details of the hotel and the excellent
food.