Glamour and Gilt The old-world charm of The Ritz London still endures in the 21st century - Amazon S3
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The destination U.K.
Glamour
At afternoon tea, mellow
strains of the piano and
harp mingle with the golden
splendour of The Palm Court
at The Ritz London. The spread
includes freshly baked scones
and Gilt
and Cornish clotted cream.
The old-world charm of The Ritz London
still endures in the 21st century
By Prachi Joshi
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B
The destination U.K.
London. To me, the hotel was the embodiment of the city
itself—luxury, elegance, and a certain Englishness (its French
chateau-style architecture notwithstanding). I remember
taking time out from traipsing up and down Piccadilly to gawk
uckingham Palace, Tower of London, at its signature blue awnings, and the white-gloved doormen
in gold-striped penguin tuxedos. Since then, I have travelled
Hyde Park, Westminster Abbey— to London several times but my chance to experience The Ritz
only came last year.
on my first trip to London nearly a Making of an icon
In May 1906, Swiss hotelier César Ritz opened The Ritz
decade ago, I played the quintessential London eight years after he established the equally glamorous
Ritz Paris. The hotel was built in the neoclassical style to
resemble a classy Parisian block of flats, over arcades inspired
tourist, checking off many of the usual by those of Rue de Rivoli in Paris. It quickly became a symbol
of London’s high society, gaining a reputation as one of the
attractions. But my must-see list also
most prestigious hotels in the world. In the past 100-plus years
it has hosted royals, celebrities, and political figures (Winston
Churchill, Dwight Eisenhower, and Charles de Gaulle met in
had an unusual entry—The Ritz the hotel’s Marie Antoinette Suite to discuss WWII strategies).
In 2002, it became the first (and to date the only) hotel to
receive a Royal Warrant, which was awarded by His Royal
Highness, the Prince of Wales. As a member of the Leading
The Ritz London enjoys pride Hotels of the World, The Ritz London’s impeccable pedigree
of place in Piccadilly. It lies and iconic status in the hospitality world is unparalleled.
right next to Green Park,
and a 10-minute walk from
Buckingham Palace.
Luxury redefined
One step through its revolving doors and onto the plush
(and appropriately faded) floral-patterned carpet, and you
enter a different world. The Belle Époque interiors scream
luxury with gold chandeliers, gold-bordered walls, a sweeping
red-carpeted staircase flanked by a full-length wall mural
depicting a French garden, and bronze sconces casting an
From scoring West End tickets to eclectic shopping suggestions,
incandescent glow. The many-chandeliered Long Gallery is Head Hall Porter Michael De Cozar is your Man Friday at the
adorned with immense bouquets of the fragrant Ritz rose, a Ritz London.
unique breed of rose created exclusively for the property.
I take the lift—hand-painted with Regency-era women—to the buffet pulls out all the stops—tables heave with breads
my fourth-floor suite. Each of the 112 rooms and 24 suites is and viennoiserie, juices, and cereals, and of course there’s
done up in one of four signature colour schemes: salmon pink, the à la carte English breakfast with eggs, sausage, bacon,
rose pink, butter yellow, and powder blue. Mine is decked mushrooms, and grilled tomato.
out in salmon pink and Louis XVI-style décor with antique The space transforms into a Michelin-starred restaurant for
furnishing, gold crown mouldings, cascading jacquard and dinner, helmed by Executive Chef John Williams (MBE) who
damask silk drapes, and a marble-topped fireplace. My gives British ingredients a distinctive French flair. The menu
favourite bit is the vintage cream-coloured vanity table with changes seasonally but you can expect dishes like langoustine
a gilt-edged three-sided mirror, and a pink-upholstered à la nage (in a savoury broth) and Bresse-style duck (poached
round pouffe stool. Another highlight is the gleaming marble and roasted so you get juicy meat and crackling brown skin).
bathroom with its deep bathtub, Asprey bath products, and Afternoon Tea at the Ritz is a London institution, served in
luxuriously thick towels and bathrobes inscribed with the deep the glittering many-mirrored Palm Court decorated with
Photo Courtesy: The Ritz London (building & man)
Previous spread: Imagedoc/Alamy/indiapicture
blue Ritz lion. chandeliers, gilt trellises, and floral drapes. Penguin-suited
butlers flit about bringing you tier stands of crust-less finger
Classic fare sandwiches, airy pastries, and warm scones with Cornish
The Ritz Restaurant is possibly one of the most decadent clotted cream and jam. Choose from a selection of 18 loose-
dining rooms I have eaten in. Marble columns line the wall, leaf teas curated by a certified Tea Sommelier, as the resident
gilded neoclassical statues abound, floor-to-ceiling windows pianist serenades you (he played a little Kal Ho Na Ho ditty for
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overlook the neighbouring Green Park, and a mirrored wall my benefit).
adds to the feeling of light and space. I look up and my jaw Apart from this, there’s the Rivoli Bar, an intimate Art Deco
drops at the sight of the gold chandeliers and the gilded cocktail lounge, and The Ritz Club, an underground casino
bronze garland circling the ceiling that’s painted with a pale in a dazzling setting. If you’re a cigar aficionado, head to Ritz
blue sky and plump white clouds. Breakfast is served on London Cigars, the only five-star indoor sampling lounge
cerulean crockery accompanied by proper silverware, and and cigar shop in Central London that opened just last year.
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The destination
The hotel retains its old-world aura with a strict dress code
and jeans and sneakers are not allowed in the public areas
and restaurants. I dine at the Ritz Restaurant one last time
surrounded by gentlemen in jackets and ties (as is required),
and ladies togged up in their finest dresses and jewellery (I’m
glad I decided to throw on a string of pearls before heading
down to dinner). The lighting is low, the conversation is at a
gentle murmur, and I see several special occasion celebrations
and a couple of dinner dates. It’s no surprise that the final
scenes of the acclaimed British period drama Downton Abbey
was filmed at The Ritz with the cast all dressed up in 1920s
glamour. Yes, The Ritz London is unabashedly old school,
but in an ever-changing world, there’s a case to be made for
traditions (and nostalgia).
Essentials
The Ritz London is at the heart of London, at 150 Piccadilly.
The hotel lies 25 km/40 min from Heathrow Airport The Michelin-starred Ritz Restaurant gives a modern spin to classic
(theritzlondon.com; doubles from £425/ `38,000). French cuisine.
R eta il T h er a py
Alan Spedding/Moment Open/getty images (food), Luis Davilla/agefotostock/dinodia photo library (shop)
Bespoke shirts by the
130-year-old Turnbull & Asser
have dressed the likes of Sean
Connery and Prince Charles.
Michael De Cozar, Head Hall Porter has British institution for more than 300 it, stock up on ties, collars, pocket
been with Ritz London for 45 years and years. Shop for teas, marmalades, squares, and other accessories; 71-72,
is a concierge par excellence. Here he condiments, cakes, biscuits, and more, Jermyn St; turnbullandasser.co.uk
offers his recommendations on the best all of which are made exclusively for Berry Brothers & Rudd is Britain’s
shopping spots near the hotel. All stores the store; 181 Piccadilly; fortnumand- oldest wine merchant with an
are royal warrant holders, a mark of mason.com unbeatable choice of wine and spirits. De
recognition for shops that supply to HM Turnbull & Asser is the place to get Cozar recommends a bottle of Château
The Queen and other royal households. a bespoke shirt made, even Prince Haut-Brion, a perfect gift to bring back
Fortnum & Mason has been a Charles swears by it. While you’re at home; 3 St. James’s St; bbr.com
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