Review: Conrad London St. James

Published Mar 11 2024, 11:17 AM, Updated Mar 12 2024, 9:10 AMWhen it comes to “Location, Location, Location,” Conrad London St. James has it all. Situated just around the corner from Big Ben, the Palace Of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and moments from Westminster Bridge, which crosses the mighty Thames River, I can not think of a better location from which to explore London.

A perfect morning stroll from Conrad St. James would a walk past Big Ben, over the Thames and then veering away from the road to enjoy a riverside walk, meandering along the South Bank, past the London Eye, the Sea Life Aquarium, Shrek’s Adventure and of course the London Dungeon. Carry one beyond these attractions and you can walk for miles, right over to the Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe and beyond to London Bridge.

Head out of the hotel in the opposite direction and you will come upon St James’s Park where you can feed the ducks, and the pay homage to the queen at Buckingham Palace. Keep walking and your next stop is Knightsbridge with the iconic Harrods department store.

As I have said, the Conrad St. James in London couldn’t be better located. For public transport, the hotel entrance faces St James’s Park tube station, with Victoria Station just around the corner.

Style & Character

The entrance to his luxury hotel has an unusual triangular-shaped, marble-clad foyer with cream pillars and an impressive double-height atrium. History buffs will like that this hotel is housed in a building that was originally the 19th-century Queen Anne’s Chambers.

Eye-catching art and sculpture are featured throughout the hotel, including a gallery of Gerald Scarfe cartoons and humorous political caricatures. These stylish works attract the local Westminster glitterati, who use the hotel for informal meetings in the bar and lounges.

This hotel was refurbished during Covid, so the communal areas, particularly the club lounge, are modern and stylish.

Rooms

256 rooms are spread across six floors. All rooms have king-size or twin beds, a marble bathroom fitted with Bose speakers, and a walk-in shower. Almost all have separate tubs and showers. Most noteworthily, the rooms are exceptionally quiet for a central London hotel.

Some rooms face the internal atrium, so be sure to request an outward-facing room. On higher levels, the rooms offer views of rooftops, with the London Eye and Westminster Abbey poking up in the background.

Book a club room or suite, and you will get access to the club lounge, which offers free breakfast, drinks and snacks, and evening alcoholic drinks and canapés. We have reviewed this club lounge in more detail.

Service & Facilities

There is a 24-hour health and fitness center featuring Life Fitness cardiovascular and strength training equipment. Close-by running tracks include St. James’s Park with views of Buckingham Palace or the embankment to run past Big Ben and the London Eye. There is, however, no pool at the Conrad London.

Review: Club Lounge At Conrad London

Reviews

Parked in the heart of the city, Conrad London is usefully located near all the major attractions, with Westminster Abbey around the corner and St. James's Park tube station across the road. The communal areas at this hotel are classy and were renovated during Covid, although base rooms can be fairly generic and small with quite dated bathrooms. They feel more traditional than youthful and funky, and ultimately, although this hotel is a perfectly good choice in London, it's not inspiring or special.

Food & Drink

The Blue Boar Restaurant is an intimate room for evening meals and breakfasts. The food is traditional and British, but very good. The Blue Boar Bar has stylish dark wood walls and classic modern furnishings. Leather chesterfields and tartan cushions keep up the traditional British feel, but everything is styled to such a high level that the finished look is utterly immaculate and chic.

The Conrad St. James makes a real effort with the kiddies, from their special ‘Piglets Menu’ in the Blue Boar Restaurant and Bar and a discounted rate for the traditional afternoon tea to a complimentary breakfast for children under 12.

Special in-room amenities are also provided for the kids to ensure they have the ‘best stay ever!’ These include Monty, the bulldog mascot, a mini-me dressing gown and slippers, mini shampoo and conditioner, a coloring book, a ‘Welcome to London’ pastry surprise, and a DVD selection. There are also interconnecting bedrooms and larger bedrooms that can accommodate an extra bed.

The hotel’s concierge also has some amazing activities up their sleeves. Their 1/3/5 guide can suggest a whole load of local activities that ensure the family is kept motivated and never too far from food or the hotel (in case the kids need a lie down). These include a walking tour of the area, including the key London sites (eg, Horseguards Parade, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace).

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Image(s) courtesy of Conrad London St James.

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