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REVIEW: St Ermin’s Hotel, London
Sitting just across the street from New Scotland Yard’s gleaming office block, the Victorian grandeur of St Ermin’s Hotel’s red brick exterior hints at what to expect once you step inside.
Setting foot into the lobby feels like entering a palace, from the chandelier hanging overhead to the staircase leading up to a mezzanine level conjuring up images of a classic Disney film.
You’d feel underdressed, if it wasn’t for the welcoming staff and mix of clientele: casually dressed tourists meet suited business professionals along the hallways, and everyone shares a smile, no matter your outfit.
We were lucky enough to be upgraded to a junior suite, complete with a marble bathroom, two large TVs (one with an entertainment system to boost) and a sofa two people can more than comfortably spread out on.
The king size bed struck just the right level of softness – the kind that makes you never want to leave – and, with its canopy and enough pillows to build a small fort, made me and my guest feel like queens. Or at least like princesses, considering the real Queen lives but a stone’s throw away in Buckingham Palace.
And if that didn’t seal the deal, the RoyalTEA afternoon tea we got to enjoy certainly did.
Afternoon tea, if you never had it before (like yours truly) is like a smorgasbord of classic British desserts along with your choice of tea, with every single item looking equally inviting.
Ours included dressed Cornish lobster on brioche rolls, Scottish shortbread with a pistachio, lemon and lime curd dome and freshly baked scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam – and a refreshingly tart welcome drink, made from Champagne and raspberry liquor.
Full from attempting to try everything, there’s nothing better than a leisurely stroll. Whether you choose to go for a walk in nearby St James’s Park and pop by Buckingham Palace or hit the area around the Palace of Westminster, St Ermin’s is in a prime position for a spot of sightseeing.
We decided to head to Westminster and, subsequently, across the Thames to wander along the South Bank – few places are better than this stretch of riverside, bustling with life on a sunny day, to get a taste of London.
For dinner, we headed to the Caxton Grill, St Ermin’s own restaurant, where 27-year-old Masterchef finalist and culinary star Adam Handling has taken over the reins, serving seasonal ingredients with a twist.
The atmosphere is relaxed and warm, with friendly, prompt service always the right kind of attentive – letting the food speak for itself.
Rightly so: the menu packs a punch when it comes to an enticing combination of tradition and innovation.
My guest’s starter featured soft, buttery pork, while my main – creamy, cooked-to-perfection courgette and basil risotto – rekindled my faith in chefs taking their vegetarian options seriously, but the whole menu left us impressed.
Dessert came in the form of light apple mouse and sorbet, lifted by the addition of elderflower, tonka and coconut and some fluffy sponge cake.
My photography doesn’t do it justice, but it looked inviting and struck that pleasant balance between sweet and sharp. The only gripe about dinner came in the form of coriander; while it wasn’t listed on the menu, it featured in the apple mousse, dividing opinions between my guest and me.
A slightly unusual thing I loved was the third floor terrace – it may not be particularly spacious, but it’s home to the hotel’s 300,000 resident Buckfast bees.
From three custom-built hives, they swarm out to forage in some of London’s nicest parks, with the honey they produce used in the hotel’s kitchens.
And let’s be honest, very few things can beat stumbling out into Central London, still a bit bleary eyed but relaxed and content after a good night’s sleep and a nice breakfast spread, to turn the corner and see Big Ben against the backdrop of a sunny day.
For more information, visit www.sterminshotel.co.uk.
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