The Beaumont is situated in prime position, just moments from the luxury boutiques, innovative restaurants, galleries and museums of Mayfair, St. James’s and the West End but you’d never know it. The hotel occupies a historic building which dates back to 1926 and the glorious fine Art Deco facade is nestled on Brown Hart Gardens, a secluded quiet garden square. Interestingly, according to the British History website, it is actually forbidden by law to quarrel in these gardens.
From the moment you glide through the doors, held open by the doorman dressed beautifully in black complete with a top hat you feel transported back in time. The Beaumont recaptures the elegance and glamour of the golden era of the roaring twenties. Inspired by the unapologetic hedonism and opulence in an era of jazz, prohibition and seductive flappers, you can look over at the bar and imagine F.Scott Fitzgerald propped up there nursing his signature Gin Rickey whilst Zelda Fitzgerald does the charleston to Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra.
The aesthetic of The Beamont is an ode to the glory of the 20s, an amalgamation of polished walnuts and creamy upholstery offset with an enviable collection of vintage furniture, shelves stocked with rare books and over 1,500 pieces of original artwork.
There are 73 bedrooms and suites in the hotel, however, the crown jewel of The Beaumont is the three-store high Lego-like figure which is infact a commissioned piece of public art by Turner Prize-winner Antony Gormley which is also an exclusive suite called ROOM.
ROOM is a dark, mysterious and cavernous contemporary space which encourages its guests to forget the opulence of the hotel and the chaos of the outside world and enter a different state of consciousness. It has been designed to promote quiet, meditative pause which is the prelude to a perfect night’s sleep. The wood-panelled bedroom features a comfortable bed dressed in crisp white linens with an organic mattress and no other furniture to avoid distractions. The bathroom is pure white marble and is separated from the bedroom by a heavy black velvet curtain.
If you’d prefer to stay in a room that follows the signature decadent aesthetic of The Beaumont, book The Roosevelt Suite. It has been designed as an homage to the glamorous era of the great transatlantic liners of the 1920s. It has a vast sun soaked private sitting room with a roaring fireplace and a separate dining room that seats eight, plus a pantry kitchen that can be stocked in advance with all your favourite treats. The suite is the epitome of quiet elegance, with cream lacquer panelling, brass inlaid details and parquet timber floors covered with luxurious lavender handmade rugs. Ethereal white silk curtains hang from the windows and period works of art decorate the walls.
The bedroom features a king-sized bed with an organic handmade mattress, there is a large dressing room, a private lobby and a luxury marble bathroom complete with a bath, walk-in shower and underfloor heating. However the real delight is the sprawling east-facing terrace which boasts stunning views over London’s rooftops and is perfect for an al fresco breakfast in the sunshine.
The attention to detail is astounding, staff will greet you by name as you pass each other in the hallway and little luxuries can be found everyone, from The Beaumont’s own playing cards on the table, to the chocolates that are created in-house and left by your bedside.
With its elegant aesthetic and absolute discretion, it is not hard to see why The Beaumont welcomes some of the most recognisable faces in the entertainment industry, from Stephen Fry and Michael Caine to Victoria Beckham and Nicole Scherzinger. However, sorry to dash your hopes but there will be no opportunities for a selfie with a celebrity here, it is too achingly cool for that. The Beaumont is not a place to see and be seen, it is a place to unwind and enjoy.
Kick the evening off in style in the discreet Magritte Bar with its walnut-panelled interiors, leather seats and low-lit table lamps. The Magritte Bar’s signature is velvety bourbons, American whiskies and cocktails, which are strictly shaken or stirred.
It is a celebration of the classics, which it executes with flair, try the sophisticated French 75, made with gin, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, sugar and crowned with champagne or The Beaumont, with gin, dry sherry, elderflower, pineapple, lemon juice, sugar and champagne.
When it comes to whiskies, you’re spoilt for choice with an array of offerings from American whiskies such as William Larue Weller to international offerings such as Yamazaki 12yrs from Japan. Make sure you return to The Magritte Bar after dinner for a nightcap and a game of cards.
The Colony Grill is one of the best restaurants in London, offering old-world glamour and glorious American classics from the 1920s. Emblazoned on the menu is ‘no intrusive or flash photography’, The Beaumont doesn’t need your carefully curated Tweets or rose-coloured-glasses style Instagram posts, it doesn’t need the hype because the food alone speaks for itself.
Dine on glorious comfort food, start with the aromatic Lobster Bisque or the hearty Avocado Superfoods Salad. For your main course, opt for the bronzed Buttermilk Fried Chicken, accompanied with creamy macaroni cheese and fried beans with almonds or the tender Grain Fed Prime USDA Rib-Eye Steak with a creamy Bearnaise sauce and a sides of Cajun-spiced sweet potato and The Beaumont’s world-famous creamed sweetcorn with chipotle.
The star of the show is without doubt the desserts. For the grand finale, opt for the Bananas Fosters which is flambéed in dark rum table-side or one of The Beaumont’s signature Knickerbocker Glory with every accoutrements from your wildest dreams. Watch as adults faces around you are illuminated with childlike wonder, instantly in a glaze of nostalgia, transported back to their childhoods as they stick their tall spoon into a tower of whipped cream and rainbow ice-cream with a maraschino cherry on top, of course.
At The Beaumont time stands still, you won’t find guests glued to their iPhones, in fact once you’re in the belly of the beast, the distractions of the outside world instantly become a distance memory. It boasts all the unapologetic grandeur of some of the greats but with the attention to detail of a boutique hotel.
Here, it is all about celebrating the simple things, good music and good food. This isn’t about trends, The Beaumont is a classic and that never goes out of style.
@thebeaumontldn
Brown Hart Gardens, London W1K 6TF
