LONDON
I f you conjured up a dream version of iconic London architecture , the perfect location , exquisite fine dining and an edge of utter hospitality goals , my guess is that you will have just created the Sofitel London St James in your mind .
The best bit is that it ’ s all real , so you can truly experience it .
Nestled in the heart of London ’ s West End , the Sofitel London St James stands proudly as a beacon of sophistication that cleverly blends its quintessential Grade II listed British elegance with a certain je-ne-sais-quoi French flair . Set in a former bank , the outer facade is actually breathtaking ( its architectural mirror image stands opposite to elevate bedroom views even further ); think grand arched windows , columns and cornicing , all up lit with statement lighting while a Union Jack billows in the breeze against its majestic backdrop . The epitome of timeless charm .
Yet , inside is where Sofitel ’ s clever imagining of luxury hospitality really comes into its own .
The Accor group have spared no expense rolling out a period of refurbishment conceptualised by Pierre-Yves Rochon who has created a vibrant aesthetic that , while utterly embracing of the building ’ s architectural fabric , has pushed luxury stay boundaries with beautiful lounge spaces , clever spa entrances , a unique bar and a bold colour scheme of four main Great British colours that dominate the rooms and suites : bold blue , striking red , rich purple and deep emerald green to represent the four nations .
In a surprising twist on many luxury hotel concepts , due to the building ’ s former incarnation the hotel is almost entirely upside down . The largest and grandest suites are actually on the lower floors to take advantage of the grand boardrooms and offices of old , which actually makes accessibility after a day ’ s hard sightseeing , shopping and entertainment-seeking super effortless .
In the bedrooms and suites - of which there are 183 that are accessed via doors that have been purposely designed to look like British front doors to elevate your stay from hotel room to hotel residence - the result is still luxurious with addictively sink-into-able king-size beds , fabulous marble bathrooms and stunning views framed by those heritage windows , but also cleverly and playfully practical too . The addition of dining tables in lieu of desks create the ‘ residence ’ feel , instantly making guests feel more at home , while also of course offering the dual functionality of a work space should you wish . There are SMEG kettles so the morning institution cuppa is as easy to make as the Nespresso coffee , while curated art works complete the look .
This clever blend of British and French continues throughout .
To the left of reception , where you ’ ll be met by one of the concierge team who meld from tailcoated sophistication to contemporary flatcap ensembles ( modern yes , but don ’ t be fooled - the French tailoring is sharp ) lies the Rose Lounge , the hotel ’ s intimate tearoom that presents itself as a loving homage to a Wes Anderson film .
Here , guests are encapsulated into a deep blush , rose pink dream , surrounded by fresh flowers , stunning upholstered benches and armchairs all framed by black and white framed photographs of iconic London and Paris sites , to enjoy a British tradition with , of course , a French twist . From the tea menu , we chose the hotel ’ s signature Rose Lounge blend alongside a fruity berry number before tea was served as four courses . First , instead of typical finger sandwiches came soft brioche bursting with truffled egg mayonnaise , enriched laminated pastry brimming with coronation chicken and the most divinely thin pastry tart encasing goat ’ s cheese and walnut . Next came cake , which for us was a seasonal swerve to a rich Christmas pudding drenched with brandy and set alight at the table before being doused with crème anglaise . Then , the final sweet showstopper : tiers of French patisserie , choux , mousse , tarts ( heaven !) and gloriously warm and buttery scones served with Rose Lounge rose jam and clotted cream .
If you can make it past the Rose Lounge ( hint : you really must ), - you ’ ll find the preserved bank vault , which is now repurposed as the entrance to the hotel ’ s glorious spa . Cocooned in a subterranean sanctuary alongside a Hamman , sauna and steam room , are single and a double ( perfect for couples ) treatment rooms . Known as the home of the facial thanks to pioneering signature treatments by Su-Man , the spa menu is extensive .
Lured by the facial , but in much need of a whole body reset , we opted for the couple ’ s massage , able to tailor our choices - deep tissue for Mr R and relaxation designed to relieve tension and restore balance for me . My therapist , Jacqueline , was incredible . From the strong and welcome handshake greeting I knew I was going to be in good hands - literally . Highly skilled and intuitively attentive , she began by discussing my preferences , ensuring the experience was tailored to my needs . The massage itself was pure bliss - a combination of long , flowing strokes and firm pressure that melted away stress and left me feeling utterly revitalised . Post-treatment , we lounged in the tranquil relaxation area , sipping herbal tea while cocooned in soft robes . The dim lighting , soothing music and calming scents created an atmosphere of pure escapism .
But that ’ s still not all here . The food is , unsurprisingly , exceptional .
To the right of the main reception lies first the cosy and speakeasy vibes of the St James Bar , which transitions from coffee spot by day to cocktail destination by night . Here , sat beneath a ceiling-hung portrait of a giant cockerel , we enjoyed the perfect aperitif and a cheeky espresso Martini too , before moving on to dinner at Sofitel London St James ’ s Michelin-starred Wild Honey restaurant .
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