The guest suites, and even the standard rooms, are well-sized. The doors are beautiful and are made out of burr oak veneers. 60% of the bathrooms all have separate walk-in showers and baths, including luxury bathrooms in the suites. The more expensive rooms also have television screens placed above on the long side of the bath.
The beds feature expensive looking linen in matching colours and have no less than six pillows. The desks are made from wood and all furniture has been bespoke designed especially for the hotel. The suites feature large LCD screens that are built into the wall unit in the lounge area. Some of the rooms have breath-taking views over St Paul’s, once again reminding the guest of the fabulous location in which the hotel is housed.
The hotel is a complete new build and has only been open for six months. It is easy to tell by the furnishings that the hotel is new, as they are yet to have a worn-out look. The hotel is busy at 100 per cent occupancy and I am told the quieter periods are during the weekends when the business guests go home.
The Grange St Paul’s was built on the site of a former telephone exchange which was used as Winston Churchill’s telephone bunker during World War II. This posed problems during the demolition, as the bomb-proof roof proved hard to knock down. The bunkers are still there, although filled with plants and situated next to the atrium. The Grange has left the original wall from the telephone exchange in place which gives the building a grand façade to one side of the atrium.
On top of the building is a roof top bar which opens into an outdoor area with green grass. The venue is perfect during the summer time and gives views looking out over the Globe theatre and of course St Paul’s cathedral.
The hotel has been finished to a high standard which can be seen in the small details, such as the high marble skirtings used in the spa area. With the location being where it is and the facilities being what they are, it is difficult for business people to refuse the chance to stay in this new, five-star hotel.
Carmen Allan
