The Lanesborough

This is the best hotel I have ever been in London. Most of the hotels I been never liked giving anything for free, but the Lanesborough Hotel gives a lot of free things. I booked online on www.lanesborough.com and I was amazed by the complimentary services they were giving. I had 24hour butler service. It was strange for me as I never had someone unpacking my stuff and doing things for me but I got use to it at the end. My butler was very sweet and helped me organize everything I need. I was able to call my mom back home every night as all phone calls to the US was free. Other than that free internet, unlimited movies, 5 pieces of fruits everyday and two bottles of water. It was a really good deal. I had dinner in Apsleys and it was a beautiful Italian food. The restaurant manager was very charming. The second day I had afternoon tea as the Lanesborough was awarded best afternoon tea in London. The tea sommelier picked out a lovely tea for me and the tea cakes, scorns they where made in heaven. This was my first time stay but trust me I will be going back soon again.

After a lovely stroll in the daffodil strewn, tree lined park, you cross the street to the five star, Lanesborough Hotel, now a St. Regis property.

There are lovely wooden moldings and carpets throughout, and the expected enormous fresh flower arrangements in large vases.

It has a sort of combined shabby and simultaneously traditional, modernized upscale feel, with lamps and chandeliers.

Sofas and chairs in the main area appear to need to be reupholstered, and tables are chipped around the top edges.

The Deluxe Double room is positively grim small and gloomy, although quite clean and neat. I asked to be shown an upgrade, something differerent.

The Grosvenor Suite is on the third floor. It is a lovely, spacious room with an open floor plan and a charming seating area.

The king-sized bed has a traditional bedspread covering it, rather than a modern duvet. The elaborate bed hangings are both romantic and elegant. Windows overlook the park.

The marble bathroom is nicely laid out, with a separate shower and tub, fluffy towels and robes, and generously sized bath amenities.

(Be sure to ask for Suite 316 when booking your reservation, because the suite next door's windows are blocked by large planting arrangements from the facade of the hotel)

Quite frankly, the hotel is overpriced, even for London, where extraordinarily expensive is the norm.

I would not recommend staying here, unless you have money to burn and simply want a posh address.

However, Afternoon Tea at the newly renovated Apsleys, with its famous arched glass conservatory ceiling, is delightful.

Aspleys (formerly The Belgravia) was the recipient of the Award of Excellence for the UK Tea Council in 2006 and 2007, and I have the feeling they just might make Top Tea in 2008.

There are two built-in floor-to-ceiling wine cellars with glass walls by the entry. Geometric moldings of gray, off-white and cream adorn the ceiling. Modern crystal drop chandeliers are surrounded by pleats in a metal frame.

Aspleys is a rectangular, softly modern room, approximately 67' x 24', that can seat up to 120 people.

It is done in beige and browns with hints of maroon. A piano player plays softly. There are comfortable groupings of tufted beige velvet sofas, and armchairs.

We are seated at a lovely, large table to the left. Heavy formal menus are brought round. Tea without champagne is 35 pounds, while with either Tattinger or Kir Royale, tea is 40 pounds.

White Rosenthal 'Jade' china plates have a gold rim. There are 3 rosebuds in a glass vase, either orange or dark red, depending upon your table.

I choose jasmine pearl tea. It arrives hot, but will cool down before the second cup can be poured.

Delicate triple silver and crystal sugar holders have brown, white and saccharine to choose from, with tiny silver spoons.

There is an amuse bouche of vavrosie (vanilla custard with rhubarb chutney.)

Clotted cream, lemon curd and strawberry jam are brought to the table in the same cunning triple silver and crystal holders with tiny silver spoons.

There is an assortment of lovely crustless sandwiches. The traditional smoked salmon, cucumber, egg, etc. We demolish them in short order, and then go to work on the small cakes, happily cutting each in half so as to share. They are delicious.

Then plain and raisin scones are brought. Freshly baked and quite light, they are addictive and quite filling.

The atmosphere is pleasant, the service is good, and the food is tasty.

I would definitely recommend Apsleys as an excellent place for a genuinely elegant, traditional Afternoon Tea.

Even though the price is high, I would definitely return to the Lanesborough.

The rooms are so well appointed, you don't feel like you're staying in a hotel. The extra amenities the hotel provides are truly wonderful. Such as the personalised business cards they print for you during your stay, the butler service with complimentary pressing, the in-room music library and the fact that you can watch an on-demand movie for no extra charge. These extras are great and the feeling that you don't have to look over your shoulder to make sure someone is charging you for a tablespoon of salt is what I would most recommend.

The conservatory restaurant is delightful and the food is well-cooked and flavoured. The location could not be beat. I will definitely return.