I love combining my addiction to nice hotels with my love of fine dining. I can’t think of a better special date then heading to a fabulous hotel bar, enjoying a cocktail and then having a lovely romantic meal in the gorgeous dining room of a fabulous hotel.
There some hotels in London that literally epitomise my idea of luxury: sumptuous velvet seating, glittering chandeliers, marble columns and mirrored walls. You can’t help but be excited when dining in a place like this…
About: Last year, Mr S and I put on our best outfits and headed out for a night of dinner and dancing. As soon as I entered the Ritz hotel, I was immediately struck by the grandeur of the lobby and had to get a few snaps on that sweeping staircase!
The dining room of the Ritz Restaurant was certainly one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen and we sat surrounded by beautiful draped curtains and neoclassical statues and under the most incredible ornate ceiling. The stunning blue plates are ringed with gold and have the official stamp of The Ritz on them, almost too pretty to eat off! Before or after dinner, I would definitely suggest grabbing a cocktail in the Rivoli bar which is a gorgeous Art Deco jewel and perfect for an intimate date.
Food: The food at the Ritz is of excellent quality and the dishes are prepared with the finest ingredients possible sourced in the UK. In terms of innovation and taste it’s not the best I’ve ever had but it’s actually rather difficult to concentrate on the food when you’re in a place this glorious.
Atmosphere: Book well in advance as there is quite simply not one spare seat in the dining room. We absolutely loved the dinner dancing experience which included a live band, a singer, professional dancers and best of all Mr S and I got to strut our stuff on the dance floor!
About: Head up to Chris Galvin’s restaurant on the 28th Floor of the Park Lane Hilton for the must stunning view over Hyde Park. The restaurant is the 8th highest restaurant in London and has long been a favourite of mine. Start the night by admiring the view from the bar and enjoying one of the signature cocktails which are aptly named after the constellations.
Food: Having maintained a Michelin Star for 5 years, you know the menu of French cuisine at Galvin is going to be of an excellent standard.
Atmosphere: There’s something about a room with a view that really adds to the atmosphere of a restaurant. Pop in for lunch and gaze at the the green of Hyde Park and the sparkling Serpentine or a special occasion dinner to admire the lights of the London Eye, Walkie Talkie and the BT Tower.
About: Last year I headed down to The Savoy, one of London’s most luxurious hotel, to meet Caroline from Cocktails and Caroline for the first time. We both loved the gorgeous fountain located at the front of the hotel and the beautiful Art Deco restaurant was the perfect venue of our ladies champagne lunch.
Kaspar’s, one of two restaurants in the Savoy, is a seafood bar and grill and it is named after Kaspar the cat, a statue that presides over the restaurants glitzy dining room.
Food: There’s a seafood bar, a wide selection of smoked fish and grills, including meat if fish isn’t your thing. A big selection of fish is always something I welcome as I’m not a big meat eater and I love the amount of choice.
My smoked fish starter was perfect but I have to say my prawn salad main was a little meagre and contained only three prawns! Next time, I’m going to go for a hearty seafood linguine.
Atmosphere: With a polished marble floor, Murano glass columns and a silver ceiling, the restaurant is just perfect for a glamorous girlie lunch.
Read my full review of Kaspar’s at the Savoy
About: Simon Rogan has taken over the magnificent restaurant in the gorgeous Claridge’s hotel. With name meaning ‘wild,’ a tree growing in the centre of the dining room and a menu based on fresh organic ingredients, it’s clear to see a natural theme running through the restaurant. I blogged about Claridge’s very recently as it was the perfect place for Mr S and I to celebrate both our four year anniversary and the anniversary of my blog 🙂
Food: Simon has a huge commitment to fresh produce and locally sourced ingredients and many of the ingredients come from Simon’s own farm. Fera was awarded a Michelin star last year in recognition of his fantastic skills and inventive cuisine.
Atmosphere: The dining room is big and buzzy without the staid formality of some fancy Michelin restaurants. And you’re in Claridge’s….need I say more?
About: Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester is the place to go for a truly luxurious experience, the restaurant has three Michelin stars and is, in my opinion, the best restaurant in London. Mr S and I went there for his birthday once and the food is just sublime.
Food: Alain Ducasse has a total of 21 Michelin stars in his restaurants across the globe and his restaurant at the Dorchester is one of only two three Michelin star restaurants in London. One of the things I love most about his contemporary French food is the attention to detail and all the other little extras that you receive.
Atmosphere: I can’t emphasise enough how much I love this place it’s so romantic, the dining room is stunning and the food is perfect. After having my wedding at the Dorchester, I’d love to return as it’s such a special place for me…watch this space.
These are my suggestions for ultra-luxe hotel dining and for more ideas of restaurants and events in London visit the Hotel Direct Top 20 London Twitter List
Hotel Direct has sponsored this post but the words are my own opinion. I visited each of these restaurants independently.
