We
have a new favourite London hotel and its called the Montcalm Marble Arch. Last week we went along to try out the hotel we knew so little about…Located in Marble Arch on a street of Georgian townhouses, set back from the main tourist drag the five-star hotel couldn’t feel further away from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street even though it’s only a five minute walk away.
Reception is a grand affair and has a cosy feel to it with Christmas songs playing and a fire burning away – the kind of room which makes you smile on the inside. The desk was well manned, check-in was super quick and included an escorted tour of our room for the night – the WOW suite. Yes it seems the W isn’t the only London hotel with WOW suites.
The name itself couldn’t be more fitting, the suite is indeed very WOW with a large bedroom, sitting area with dining table, espresso machine, fresh fruit, two bathrooms – one black with mirrored tiles, super sexy with a walk-in rain shower and the other even sexier with a peekaboo wall into the bedroom. But don’t worry there is a blind should you wish to save your blushes.
The bedroom contained a daybed, leather chair with speakers in the head cushion to plug your iPhone into, iPod dock and king sized four poster bed with lights on the ceiling panel which could be turned on to resemble sleeping under the stars. There was also two TVs and a whooping 5 telephones, stack of mags, Bvlgari products, bathrobe and slippers
We ate in the newly refurbed Grill at The Montcalm which specialises in meat whilst also offering a couple of fish and vegetarian dishes. We started with the Crab salad with peas, soy bean & pea
shoots, carrot & vanilla puree, brown crab velouté which was so well presented it seemed like a crime to eat it. Rillette of Middle White pork, cornichon, house pickles & mustard was a tasty dish.
A main of Pave of beef rump, triple cooked chips and paprika onion rings served on a large wooden chopping board was the winning dish – the meat so tender it melted like butter. Another dish of Grilled lemon sole with lemon & parsley butter and sautéed kale was a portion of soft, flaky fish although perhaps a little too heavy handed on the butter.
For dessert we shared a Chocolate plate which consisted of dark chocolate parfait,
honey sable, white chocolate panna cotta, raspberry confit and chocolate fondue with pistachio cream. Quite the sweet treat!
Outside of the restaurant the hotel also has a swish bar serving a selection of cocktails whilst those looking for a more heathy treat can head to the spa complete with sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, small pool and comfy daybeds to relax on.
The only thing we weren’t overly keen on was the Club Lounge which felt a little uncomfortable and didn’t match the rest of the hotels grand interiors. That said we’d recommend the Montcalm Marble Arch again and again, the WOW suite doesn’t come cheap at approx £600 a night but double rooms start from £270 per night.
Go on Treat the misses. She’ll be putty in your hands!
34-40 Great Cumberland Place, London W1H 7TW
www.montcalm.co.uk