LONDON
reinvigorate, I enjoyed an hour of tailored, intuitive treatment that left me floating back to reality in a de-stressed daze of happiness.
As aforementioned, there’ s a myriad of exceptional dining options on offer at The Peninsula, so it was with excitement that before dinner, we found ourselves in Little Blue, the hotel’ s moody, intimate noodle and cocktail bar. The egg yolk popcorn arrived as a nibble and left as an obsession; we were quietly gifted a takeaway pouch by the bartender, who clocked our delight as we devoured bowls of it while also making lightwork of the signature cocktail menu, which soon went dark as the bartender learned flavour preferences and curated bespoke tipples to depart for dinner proper. Bowls of handmade zha-jiang main noodles followed, fragrant with spice, silk-soft yet with bite, and dotted with morsels of diced pork belly in yellow bean sauce, just divine, before we climbed upstairs to Canton Blue, the hotel’ s elegant, fine-dining Chinese restaurant and a triumph of design and cuisine.
Dinner was a procession of balance and beauty: trays passed our intimate booth for two bursting with glossy dumplings, lacquered duck carved tableside for extra theatre and bowls fragrant with soy and ginger.
We opted for the pork belly; a glistening, translucent pork with hearty crunchy skin
that screamed to be dunked in the rich soy sauce; a wok-fried Wagyu tenderloin that melted in the mouth to pops of garlic and black pepper; and the steamed sea bass fillet- a showstopping dish that commands attention from the moment its lotus leaf envelope arrives. Every dish arrived with its own quiet fanfare. Don’ t skimp on the sides either- the British Wagyu-fried rice with oyster sauce and Iceberg lettuce alone will have me returning just to enjoy one more mouthful. And this is without mentioning the impeccable service, which was graceful and discreet, the kind that seems to anticipate your need before you know it yourself; wine pairings that were thoughtful; and an expert team from sommelier to waiter who were all full of quiet charm.
After a delightful rested night’ s sleep lured by massage and sated by superb food, breakfast the next morning was as refined as the evening before. While you can opt for in-room dining, a visit to the breakfast lounge comes highly recommended for the cheese bun alone … Here, amongst a taste-bud temping plethora of à la carte eggs, continental favourites and Eastern specialities, comes a bread showcase to rival any bakery, where laminatedto-perfection pain au chocolates and croissants compete against speciality breads and a little hidden gem- the cheese bun. Imagine if a cruffin and Yorkshire
pudding had a cheesy baby- rich, buttery, cheesy and a serious issue for the waistline if you are unable to show any decorum of restraint, it really is spectacularly good. We took our time, as one should in a place like this, and watched as the foyer came to life one sip of coffee at a time.
The Peninsula London may be new, but it feels destined. A hotel built on patience, precision and the belief that true luxury lies in the details and true hospitality is not just an empty promise but an evocation of experience. It delivers not just comfort, but memory. The kind that lingers long after checkout and of which I can wholeheartedly and unreservedly recommend.
Stays in a Deluxe Room at The Peninsula London start from £ 1,100 per night. Enjoy noodles and a beer in Little Blue for just £ 20pp. This summer enjoy the sun-soaked spirit of the French Riviera at Soleil by Claude, as chef Claude Bosi transforms the eighth-floor Brooklands into a vibrant coastal escape perfect for leisurely breakfasts or lunches and sunset dinners with the most incredible London city views.
peninsula. com / London
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