Ugh, January is depressing. London is not at it’s best in January, it’s too cold, the parks look really scruffy and you can still see the Christmas lights although they are turned off.
I feel particularly sorry for my mum whose birthday is on 13th January which is surely one of the worst days of the year. No one wants to go out because they are still recovering from Christmas over indulgence AND they haven’t got any money.
I always try to make a big fuss of my mum’s birthday because (1) she’s my mum and she’s ace and (2) selfishly having plans on 13th January makes the first 12 days of the month more bearable.
This year was a big birthday -70! One to celebrate. For her 60th we’d had afternoon tea at the Savoy but I wanted to go one better – so this year I booked us a room at The Savoy for the night. Despite living in London for almost 20 years I haven’t actually stayed in a hotel here since I was a young tourist at the tender age of seven.
I booked the room months in advance and the anticipation had grown to fever pitch by the time we jumped on the bus to get there.
We were not disappointed.
There were 3 stand out memories
The phenomenal service.
The staff were friendly and helpful without being overbearing. In super upscale places I can feel a little bit scruffy, like I don’t belong…but that wasn’t the case at The Savoy. The little touches, like a birthday cake, in the room were gorgeous.
The room was enormous.
I think the whole downstairs of my house could have fitted in it – I managed to lie down in the wardrobe with the door closed.
The Beaufort Bar
After dinner (not at the hotel restaurant), we came back for a nighcap. The American Bar, close to the entrance of the hotel was full, so we were shown to the Beaufort Bar. It’s a little hidden away drinking venue at the back of the hotel which I would have never found if we hadn’t been directed. The cocktail menu was pop up and almost as stunning as the drinks. After a couple of cocktails and a complimentary champers (another birthday gift) we went to bed drunk and happy.
Looking forward to 2018 I’ll definitely be planning some January treats but next year will have to be slightly less expensive.