Travelers who yearn for their homes when on the road will want to check out the newly refurbished luxury townhouse apartments at London's Athenaeum, to be unveiled on June 1.
We hear that the soft refurbishment will bring a more modern aesthetic to the apartments, scrapping the antique furniture, wallpaper and heavy drapes in favor of light Italian furnishings and contemporary art. Designer Paul Faulkner told Luxury Travel Advisor that the historical buildings behind the hotel will keep their classic architecture but will get a more contemporary vibe with new color schemes and designs. Since guests in the 18 self-contained apartments can enjoy all the services of the hotel during their stay, we say these accommodations are a great combination of independent living and luxury pampering.
The rooms have the amenities of a private home, including a full kitchen stocked with complimentary drinks, fresh fruit and snacks, and plenty of entertainment (for those rainy London days). Not only are CDs, DVDs and iPod docks available, guests can spend time reading coffee-table books and magazines, or play various games. Nice Touch: Perks are determined before the guests arrive depending on whether they are families, couples or business travelers, who might want apartments with smaller kitchenettes and extra space (ideal for hosting business meetings and private dinners).
But we say these apartments would be ideal for families, and there are plenty of perks to make our case. A complimentary Kid’s Menu (created by kids, for kids) can be ordered via room service, with child-friendly interpretations of traditional English dishes. VIP services and special benefits in the apartments include fresh flowers, a hotline to the iconic Harvey Nichols food hall, and complimentary traditional English sponge cake and tea at teatime. A waitressing service can be pre-booked so that guests can invite their friends for drinks or dinner “at home” (great for family functions or business events).
The apartments have new sofas that turn into funky bunk beds and separate kitchen-dining areas. Also, the hotel has a team of in-house nannies available for babysitting, so parents can enjoy an evening at the theatre or out and about in town sans kids.
Head Concierge Darren Muylders ([email protected]; 011-44-207-499-3464) can provide a walking guide for the local area, who will help uncover the hidden gems in Central London. Jogging maps and a guide to the best picnic hot spots in the surrounding Royal Parks are also available, along with picnic hampers designed for couples and families, plus complimentary bikes, kites and scooters. And if the kids want something just for themselves, Muylders can organize special after-hours shopping trips to Hamleys, the iconic toy store.
Luxury travel advisors should contact Guest Services Manager Serena Zandegu with queries.