I recently had the pleasure of stepping back in time to try out some of the exciting new additions to the Stables bar menu at The Milestone; it happened to be the very night that I was going to see the movie and so seemed like the perfect way to whet the appetite, in more ways than one!

As we’ve previously blogged, the hotel has added some Great Gatsby cocktails to its repertoire: ‘The Daisy’ and ‘The Gatsby’ to be precise, as well as the intriguingly-named ‘Flapper Platter’ to go with them.

Our glamorous evening back to the roaring 20s began with some snacks and high levels of excitement since my guest and I are huge Great Gatsby fans, and we were really looking forward to the experience of stepping into our favourite novel.  We were seated in the hotel’s beautiful Art Deco Conservatory which is light and airy and the perfect setting.

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The Daisy is a take on the classic 1920s ‘Highball’, a blend of bourbon and ginger-ale.  Ours came decorated with orange peel.  The Gatsby on the other hand is The Milestone’s take on ‘The Tuxedo’ featuring a mix of gin and vermouth, adding a dash of maraschino liqueur, bitters and a dose of absinthe.  Not being a bourbon fan, I preferred the Gatsby which was lovely and certainly punchy…that mixture of absinthe with gin is not for the faint hearted!  You could certainly feel why they had great parties in that era : )

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Next came our sumptuous ‘Flapper Platter’, which includes a selection of 1920s favourites: portobello mushrooms with crab and parmesan, Waldorf salad and Rinktum Diddy – a dish of beaten egg with onion, tomato, cheese and Tabasco and Worcester sauce.  All three dishes were new to me and divine.  I especially enjoyed the Waldorf salad which was really refreshing.

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In conclusion?  I definitely felt transported back in time (and not only because The Gatsby went straight to my head!).  We visited The Milestone as the starter to the evening before seeing The Great Gatsby in the cinema. And it set the scene for us beautifully, transporting us back to glamorous 1920s New York and turning a night at the flicks into an unforgettable evening.  You can even do it as part of the hotel’s Roaring 20s Break.

LHI readers can enjoy exclusive benefits like a free English breakfast and free bottle of champagne under our special hot deal with this ultra-luxurious 5 star hotel.  Simply contact us for the promo code if interested.

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Photo credits: The Milestone Hotel, LHI blogger Saloni.

Recently at London Hotels Insight, we launched ‘Hot Deals’ to give our readers the best hotel experiences with exclusive ‘insider’ benefits.  We only create these special deals with hotels we know and trust to provide fantastic value and service for their guests.  The Baglioni Hotel, London is one of our favourite hotels which gets consistent reviews and has a prime location right opposite Kensington Gardens.

As a London Hotels Insight insider you’ll receive a complimentary welcome cocktail from the hotel’s Brunello Lounge as well as free WiFi throughout your stay in this stylish luxury Italian hotel.  To reserve this deal, simply book direct with the hotel at the Best Available Rate to enjoy your exclusive benefit.  The easiest way to take advantage is to email reservations.london@baglionihotels.com quoting “London Hotels Insight”.

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The Baglioni is already getting in the mood for summer by bringing its luxury interpretation of Italian aperitivo to London – aperitivo is an Italian tradition of after-work drinks and nibbles.  And it’s a perfect accompaniment to any of the expertly-made cocktails by Head Barman Marcello Cabiddu.

Do contact us for further details on how to take advantage of this or our other exclusive Hot Deals, with benefits you won’t find anywhere else.

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If that alone isn’t enough to tempt you, then you might be interested to know that a brand new secret underground private nightclub called “Clubino” is set to open later in 2013 right by the hotel’s entrance.  It will be managed by Mr Luca Del Bono, one of the co-founders of Quintessentially, and will be a classy venue for live piano music, drinks and dinner.  It is set to become a must visit for hotel guests and locals alike.

Meanwhile, over in Italy the parent brand is getting excited about a breathtaking new penthouse suite soon to open with stunning views in Baglioni Regina Hotel in Rome.  For a sneak preview take a look at their video: ‘Upgrade your idea of project‘, accompanied by a special countdown website – it is set to be very special and the excitement is building!

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Photo credits: Baglioni Hotels.

Whilst the whole Great Gatsby connection is getting a little tiring I recently came across this package and felt I should share it given that it’s the greatest Great Gatsby package I’ve seen yet.  The package not only includes dinner aboard the vintage British Pullman train but also a night and cocktail in the historic hotel, The Savoy.

It all kicks off with a Gin Rickey cocktail at the hotel’s American Bar, the choice of tipple for Great Gatsby author F. Scott Fitzgerald.  Then it’s down to Victoria where you’ll board the Art Deco vintage carriages dating back to the 1920s.  Just like in the movies! After a train ride through the Surrey countryside and a tasting dinner with wines and champers you’ll head back to The Savoy which was the hotel of choice for F. Scott Fitzgerald too.

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For our very first ‘Hotel of the Month‘, we chose The Cavendish London to share its many attractions.  Now you can win a free weekend there just by RT’ing @londonhoteltips on Twitter.  Read on to learn how you can win!

The 4 star Cavendish London has won awards for its staff wellbeing as one of the Sunday Times Top 100 Small Companies to work for, for the fourth consecutive year.  This very central hotel also has a restaurant, Petrichor, where they have a passion for well-sourced British ingredients, part of a philosophy which also makes this one of the greenest hotels in London.

Now you can stay there for free!  The Cavendish London has generously offered our readers a 2 night stay in a Queen Superior Room, valid on any Friday, Saturday and Sunday (subject to availability and the terms below). The prize includes accommodation and breakfast only (and it’s quite a breakfast as previously reviewed by our blogger Andrea).

All you need do is follow @londonhoteltips on Twitter and retweet our competition tweet.  Simple.  Current followers who retweet the competition mention will also be included in the competition.  We’ll randomly pick a winner at 5pm (UK time) on 29th May 2013 and announce it on 30th May.

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There are lots of reasons to get excited about a stay at the Cavendish London but I’ll just name a couple.  For starters, if you adore Fortnum & Mason, you’ll be just across the road (we also recommend the relaxing value-for-money afternoon tea served at the hotel)  Secondly, the hotel offers a truly British experience, has a well-priced penthouse suite and is convenient for Buckingham Palace and other top London attractions.

Don’t miss this opportunity of a free luxury 2 night stay at a central London hotel – just follow @londonhoteltips and RT our competition tweet before 5pm (UK) on 29th May to be entered into our prize draw!

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Photo credits: The Cavendish London, LHI blogger Rajul.

Terms and conditions: the prize of an overnight stay for two in a Queen Superior room must be booked in advance and the winner’s preferred date is subject to availability.  The winner will be picked at random from those who are visible via Twitter as having retweeted our competition between Monday 20^th May when this competition launches (triggered by our tweet) and Wednesday 29^th May (up to 5pm, UK time) inclusive.  This competition may be withdrawn and cancelled at any time at the discretion of London Hotels Insight or The Cavendish London.  Any employee, supplier or family member or anyone connected to the hotel is excluded from the competition. The promoter will not be liable for any failure of receipt of entries. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the promoter’s liability under or in connection with the prize draw competition or these terms and conditions shall be limited to the value of the prize in question. Prizes are non-negotiable, non-transferable and non-refundable. No cash alternative is available. In the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond the promoter’s reasonable control, the promoter reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the prize draw competition or these terms and conditions, either in whole or in part, with or without notice. The promoter’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into. The winner’s twitter username will be posted on @londonhoteltips after the winner has been selected and they’ll be invited to contact us.

Animal lovers rejoice!  The Aloft London Excel have announced they are now welcoming guests and their pets throughout the year.  And by welcome I don’t just mean they are just allowed to stay, oh no they are letting your four legged friends enjoy the full VIP package with the new ARF (animals are fun) programme.  I’m not sure of that name mind…

With the new package any dog up to 40lbs in weight can enjoy a special dog bed, a selection of toys and treats, a personalised snack and sip station in the lobby and use of a communal Fatboy dog bed.  Expect to see some serious tail wagging!

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Those looking to stay somewhere more central with their pampered pooches should check out 41 Hotel, The Milestone or Rubens at The Palace.

All have their own pet concierge, walking, grooming & pet-sitting services, as well as welcome notes, hampers and bathrobes – yes dog bathrobes.  Talk about a spa break.  The hotels also provide a framed photo of the pet on check-out and a certificate of stay – it looks like some London hotels are barking mad!  And you’ll certainly save on those kennel bills…

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Photo credits: Aloft,  Rubens Hotel.

The DoubleTree by Hilton chain has announced that they are doubling up on new London hotels, opening two renovated properties in the city.  The new hotels will open at Hyde Park and Ealing to bring the total number of DoubleTree London hotels to nine, just under double figures.  It feels like only yesterday that they took over the former Mint Hotels.

The Hyde Park hotel is located on Bayswater Road opposite Kensington Gardens and houses 228 rooms and a 24 hour gym – who knows when you’ll feel the need to lift some weights at 3am.  The hotel will add a stand-alone restaurant in September with a bakery and take-away options.  The focus will be on “farm to fork” dishes which is very on trend and there will be a terrace overlooking Hyde Park.  How lovely.

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The Ealing hotel is located 5 minutes from the underground station with 189 rooms, a bar and lounge area and a restaurant named W5 Grill & Bar.  This hotel will have more of a business focus with 6 meeting rooms, rooms with work stations and power outlets in public areas.

Just like the other DoubleTree hotels guests will receive the signature chocolate chip cookie welcome which makes check-in a little bit sweeter.  What’s more there is complimentary mineral water, internet and movies on demand in all rooms.  It looks like it pays to double up.

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Photo Credits: DoubleTree by Hilton.

Today we’ve invited Laura Porter who blogs about London at About.com and is a Visit Britain Super Blogger to share her favourite London hotel with us.

There’s something so endearingly British about The Savoy which is one reason I’ve chosen it as my favourite hotel in London.  The Savoy has so many wonderful eccentricities that only a British luxury hotel could have.

The grand Art Deco entrance off The Strand is via a private road (Savoy Court) where vehicles must drive on the right instead of the left. There’s a small roundabout with a Lalique crystal fountain in the centre.  Vehicles need a turning circle of 25 feet to use Savoy Court and, to this day, this is the legally required turning circle of all London taxis.

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Clearly, this entrance is stunning but I also like to walk through from the river side entrance where you pass small keyhole windows cut into cabinets and walls so you can see miniature displays inside.

However you choose to come in, you’ll reach the Upper Thames Foyer and Savoy Tea.  This is a small but lovely tea and chocolate store where you can watch the hotel’s pastry chefs and chocolatiers at work.  They sell a ‘Kaspar the Cat’ chocolate which makes a perfect gift (more about him below).

This is next to the Thames Foyer which is the heart of the hotel and is the place to enjoy afternoon tea.  Surprisingly, even though I have afternoon tea nearly every week of the year, I’ve never had afternoon tea here so I must rectify that soon.  I have had tea with friends in the morning here though so I know the venue well.  There’s a glass domed ceiling and a huge winter garden gazebo that reminds me of an enormous birdcage and this is where the pianist sits during afternoon tea.

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Back to the famous Kaspar the Cat.  In 1898 there was a dinner booked for 14 but only 13 attended which led to a superstitious comment from one of the diners that the first person to leave the table would be first to die.  As a hideous coincidence South African diamond magnate Woolf Joel left first and was shot dead a few weeks later.  Ever since The Savoy has not taken any chances and for many years a member of staff joined the table as an extra guest.  But in 1926, a 3 foot high wooden cat was sculpted by Basil Ionides from a single piece of London Plane tree and was named Kaspar.

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This feline sculpture is used as the extra guest if a party books for 13 and he gets served a full meal.  When he’s not at dinner parties he is on display in the Hotel Foyer.  He even has a restaurant named after him now as Kaspar’s Seafood Bar & Grill opened on 2 May 2013.  As a vegetarian I won’t be dining there but the Art Deco room is simply ‘wow’.

Where I do enjoy visiting is the American Bar which was restored to look as it did in its heyday before the 2007 hotel closure and refurbishment.  It’s an iconic cocktail bar and often has a long line outside waiting to get a table.

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While you wait you could look in the Savoy Museum which is free for all to visit.  It’s just off to the left before the American Bar, which leads off the main Hotel Foyer.  It’s full of old photos and artefacts from the hotel’s history.  They clearly have an excellent curator as there are hotel bills from famous guests and photos of royal visits on display.

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If you want a more exclusive night out then head for The Beaufort Bar which is accessed via the Thames Foyer.  It’s a dark and glitzy bar with gold leaf booths and live entertainment.  When I had a tour of the hotel on the first weekend after it re-opened in 2010, there was an abundance of A-listers in there and I saw Jude Law waiting to get inside.

Now I truly love The Savoy but I’ve never actually stayed.  Again, I really must sort that out.  I have toured the hotel quite a few times and love the history, especially the red lift which takes you up to the Edwardian side of the property.  This was London’s first electric lift and was referred to as the “ascending room”.  Guests were seated and given a glass of brandy before it started moving to take them up to their room.

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This is a hotel with two styles: Art Deco and Edwardian.  The corridor wall decor on each floor changes to show which side you’re in. The suites are stunning, and I was thrilled to see the Monet Suite where the great artist stayed and painted the river views.  There are nine personality suites that pay tribute to artists and celebrities and I’ve been to the Sinatra Suite too which would host a great party for close friends.

Whenever I visit The Savoy guest rooms I always admire the bathrooms as I dream of one day having a giant Savoy showerhead at home.

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Even if you’re not planning to stay at The Savoy soon, I’d recommend signing up for Fairmont President’s Club membership as it’s free to join and gives you free WiFi whenever you visit The Savoy.

Laura Porter writes the About.com London Travel site and fits in further freelance writing while sustaining an afternoon tea addiction to rival the Queen’s. Laura is @AboutLondon on twitter and @AboutLondon Laura on Facebook. You can find out more about her at about.me/LauraPorter.

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Photo credits: Savoy London, Laura Porter at @AboutLondon.

As part of the investigation of this blog’s hotel of the month for May, I went for dinner at Petrichor in The Cavendish London on Jermyn Street.

This hotel has been featured before for its great-value afternoon tea and my colleague Andrea also did a cocktail masterclass in its bar.  So we knew already that they’re pretty accomplished in an understated sort of way since this is a hotel that operates slightly under the radar.

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The integrity of the menu at Petrichor was the first thing that struck me – Head Chef Nitin Padwal is obsessed with sourcing the best British ingredients and every item has its provenance clearly listed; which by the way is also changed every couple of months to reflect the season.

While many restaurants talk about local sourcing it’s often hard to find verifiable evidence of this.  In this case, the restaurant seems to walk the talk, which is not altogether surprising in one of London’s greenest hotels. Petrichor has also won the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s Gold Award for 3 years running, from 2011 to 2013.

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Impeccable sourcing doesn’t automatically make every dish a triumph.  My poached North Atlantic halibut didn’t match especially well with its accompanying saffron sauce, though the crab and pickled cucumber on the same plate had a pleasing zesty-spicy zing to it.

But the vast majority of dishes sampled were well-executed and tasty, with several (particularly the mouthwatering desserts shown if you scroll down) truly outstanding.  The menu had a certain vibrancy as the pics show.

My crispy quail’s egg and soldiers starter (below) served with watercress and asparagus offered a beautifully enhanced childhood recollection, while my companion’s duck salad entrée (above) was light and revitalising.

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Her main of English sirloin steak with onion purée, Guinness pasty, broad beans, baby watercress and bordelaise jus was balanced and succulent, perfectly matched too by our waiter’s recommended glass of Malbec.  A steak like this is probably one of the best ways to showcase a restaurant whose USP is its thoughtfully-sourced ingredients.

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The desserts were an unexpected treat for a sceptic like me who is not usually seduced by a sickly sweet ending.  My red wine poached red Anjou pear paired with cinnamon ice cream and showered with delicate almond flakes was spectacular.  It was probably one of the best desserts I’ve ever had in London: refreshing and uplifting – the perfect finish.

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I assume that my dining partner’s dark chocolate mousse and pistachio parfait was equally good because the plate ended up as clean as a whistle.

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Petrichor offers great value for the location, particularly the pre-theatre and lunch menus.  It’s bang opposite Fortnum and Mason and I’d suggest both adventurous tourists and savvy Londoners cross the road to give it a go.

Watch out for our competition to be launched soon when we’ll be giving away a 2 night stay at the Cavendish London with a chance to savour the hotel’s outstanding best of British breakfast free of charge.

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Photo credits: London Hotels Insight Blogger Rajul.

Disclosure: we were guests of Petrichor.

Never one to miss out on trends, One Aldwych has announced a calender of Regional Dinners in its Axis restaurant which will celebrate the best of the British Isles.  That means you lucky Londoners will be able to sample dishes from all over the UK without even leaving the city!  The dinners start with A Taste of the South Coast on Thursday 16th May, before heading west with A Taste of the West Country on Thursday 20th June.  In September it’s up to the highlands for A Taste of Scotland on Thursday 26th September.

The dinners are hosted by a “food hero” who will then lead diners through the whole meal with inside info and tips on each course.  You can expect the likes of South Brockwell farm asparagus, Southdown lamb, Chewton Glen honeycomb and fruit ciders from Biddenden Vineyards in the South Coast round which is hosted by cheese expert Patricia Michelson.

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Attendees at the West dinner hosted by erudite forager Yun Hider of the Mountain Food Company can expect Breast of Creedy Carver duck and Devon cream panna cotta.  The dinners cost £75pp with advance booking recommended.  Why not go all out and stay the night in the 5-star hotel?

If you need persuading about One Aldwych’s culinary philosophy, see our review of Indigo or the Sugar and Spice afternoon tea on this very blog.

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Photo credits: One Aldwych

Everybody’s talking about it, everybody is getting ready for the comeback of the ‘roaring twenties’ hitting London hotels.  And the cause of it all?  The release of The Great Gatsby in UK cinemas this month.  Jules’ recently blogged about The Great Gatsby’s themed nights taking place at the Hyatt Regency every Thursday throughout May.  The Milestone is also getting in on the action with a host of 1920s themed events and offers.

The 5 star boutique hotel has released a new cocktail menu featuring two new Gatsby-inspired cocktails.  The first is ‘The Daisy’ based on the ‘highball’ which is a straightforward brown spirit and ginger ale concoction which was a common order during the 1920s.  To re-create this, they’ll mix your favourite bourbon with ginger beer.

The other option is ‘The Gatsby’.  This is made using gin and vermouth, adding a dash of maraschino liqueur, bitters and dose of absinthe, and you have yourself  The Milestone Hotel’s version of ‘The Tuxedo.’

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The Milestone is also launching a Roaring 20s Break.  To allow guests to fully embrace the spirit and decadence of the 1920s, the package includes an overnight stay along with a chauffeur-driven Bentley to the Floris perfumery on Sloane Square with a £50 voucher to spend there.  But that’s not all.  Also included are two tickets to see The Great Gatsby at a local Kensington cinema, a complimentary cocktail in the hotel’s equestrian-themed Stables Bar with a full English breakfast the next morning and a copy of The Great Gatsby book by Scott Fitzgerald to take home.

An added bonus of any stay at The Milestone is your access to the concierge tips from Jose Pauco, the hotel’s suave head concierge, who will help you seek out other gems including London’s thriving speakeasy bars.

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Photo credits: The Milestone Hotel.

Fancy a trip to Colombia but haven’t quite got the time nor money?  Well you will be happy to hear that Colombia is coming to London, well kind of.

Chef Harry Sasson who runs 5 restaurants including the Club Colombia all in the capital city of Bogotá, is taking over the Cookbook Cafe at InterContinental London Park Lane.

One of Colombia’s best chefs, Harry will be knocking up Colombian food between 17th and 25th May 2013.  You can expect Empanaditas Bogotanas con aji criollo (Bogota style empanadas stuffed with shredded beef and potatoes), Crab backs al estilo Sanandresano (Sanandres style crab backs cooked in coconut milk and spices) and Ceviche de corvina al limon y gengibre, palmitos y cilantro (Ceviche of fresh corvina seabass, with hearts of palm, ginger juice, limes and cilantro) plus lots of other delights.

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What’s more, there will also be a special weekend brunch offered on 25th May.  I recently visited The Cookbook Cafe for the Sunday brunch and what a spread it was, just look at the desserts above!  A trip to one of Colombia’s best restaurants has never been so accessible.

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Photo credits: Intercontinental Park Lane, Jules LHI blogger.

Tune Haymarket which is practically a baby in the hotel world at only four months old, has already won it’s first award!  The hotel has won the accolade of ‘best new hotel of the year in Scotland’ from the Scottish Hotels Awards 2013.  The CEO of Tune, Mark Lankester stated:

“To win in the New Hotel of the Year category is totally unexpected. The award has actually raised the bar for our hotels and goes to prove that we have been doing the right thing in providing international standard, high quality accommodation at very affordable prices. We are not only leading in the budget or value category but we are, in fact, comparable to the other starred hotels. The key differentiation is in our pricing and giving our guests the best value for their money that has always been our promise.” 

This cheap Edinburgh hotel is also doing well on TripAdvisor, ranked above much more expensive hotels, meaning that all data points are aligned.

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I recently stayed at Tune Haymarket in February, and after my stay and interview with the hotel’s General Manager, it doesn’t surprise me at all to hear that Tune Haymarket has won this prestigious award.

Like all Tune properties, the hotel is conveniently located and can offer you a simple stay with as few or as many add-ons as you need, including free added-value features like a 5 star Hypnos bed and power shower.

To celebrate, we are now offering a complimentary ‘comfort package’ with Tune Haymarket.  If you book direct on the Tune website for as cheap as you can (without comfort add-ons) then contact us with your booking reference we’ll then pass this on to the hotel to add in one free comfort package per person.  Get more info from our “hot deals” page.

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Photo credits: Tune Hotels, LHI blogger, Saloni.

The RHS Chelsea Show is taking place soon which means London hotels are creating floral packages left, right and centre.  Some of which if I’m honest are a bit disappointing but there are a few gems around.  The Belgraves Thompson has created something a bit different, an Edible Garden on its Terrace with daily cocktail classes and food and flower pairing.

The cocktails have been created by head mixologist Salvatore Maggio and anyone who visits can take home the recipe card along with some seeds to mix their own at home.  Just like the flowers, the cocktails look very pretty!

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The Terrace is open between 21st and 25th May throughout the flower show to visitors, or you can take advantage of the ‘Bed, Brunch & Botany’ package which includes two cocktails, brunch in bed, tasty turndown and a recipe book.  Entry to the terrace is free but advance booking is advised!

What’s more, anyone choosing to stay at the hotel during the period is automatically awarded two free cocktails, a particularly attractive proposition given that the hotel is only minutes from the show itself!

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Photo Credit: Belgraves Thompson.

Here at LHI, we’ve decided to show some extra TLC to those hotels which we think are doing it right.  Our first Hotel of the Month is… drumroll please….The Cavendish London!  The Cavendish London is a 4 star hotel which has won awards for its staff wellbeing and is a Sunday Times Top 100 Small Company to work for, for the fourth consecutive year.  It’s clear to see why guests love it too.  So this month we’re going to do some blogs about it and launch a rather special competition!

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The Cavendish recently got an honourable mention in our ‘top 10 affordable luxury afternoon teas’.  I personally experienced afternoon tea at The Cavendish London which is currently only £20 per person with refillable hot drinks (I said it then and I’ll say it now, the rosebud tea was amazing.)

One of the best things about The Cavendish is how ‘green’ a hotel it is; while many hotels throw around the fact they’re eco-friendly, here they go out of their way to take concrete action as we’ve previously blogged.

So watch this space over the coming weeks for more about The Cavendish and in particular to get details of our exciting competition!

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Photo credits: The Cavendish London Hotel.

If you haven’t already heard Mayfair has been removed!  Oh yes it’s been replaced by Kensington Palace Gardens and is being sold for the exact same price but this time it’s card sales only, cash is out.  No, I haven’t gone crazy I am of course talking about the new version of the timeless classic board game Monopoly…

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Well one London hotel is fighting back because they believe Mayfair should be back where it belongs, right next to “Go”.  Flemings Mayfair Hotel is leading a national campaign which includes not only a big boot placed outside the hotel but also a team of Pennybags telling everyone in London Mayfair is missing!  Have they gone crazy?  Well that’s for you to decide.

If you want to get involved you can sign the petition online right now, at the time of writing there was only 280 signatures so they clearly need all the help they can get!

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Photo credits: Flemings Mayfair.

The Great Gatsby film is all set to launch soon and to celebrate the 5 star Hyatt Regency The Churchill is throwing a series of roaring 1920s themed parties in the hotel restaurant The Montagu.  The parties will take place every Thursday evening when guests will be treated to champagne on arrival, live music from resident band Hot Dog Corn Dogs and a three course set-menu themed on the 20′s.  Expect Clam Chowder, Waldorf Salad, Steak Diane and Pecan Pie – just like in the USA back in the day!

What’s more the hotel are really pushing for party goers to dress to impress with the added incentive of a three-night, weekend stay for two at the Grand Hyatt New York on offer for the best dressed guest of the whole series and two free cinema tickets to see The Great Gatsby for each evening’s winner.  It sounds perfect for glamorous fans of the book!

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I recently visited the hotel’s newly refurbished Churchill Bar for cocktails and canapes.  The bar was redesigned with Winston Churchill and his wife in mind and there are references throughout of the things he did during his lifetime.  There’s even a Churchill martini – perfect for a tipple after the party perhaps?  The 1920s are certainly “in” among London hotels at the moment as my blog colleagues found at a gin and jazz night recently.

The nights are held on 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th May between 6:30pm and 10:45pm  and cost £35 per person for a three course set menu and a glass of champagne.  Whoever said time travel wasn’t possible had obviously never been to one of Montagu’s Great Gatsby Nights!

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Photo credits: Hyatt Regency Hotels.