Sleepover: Covent Garden Hotel
A bed for the night in London
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Your support makes all the difference.Where is it?
In the heart of London's West End.
What's it like?
A top town hotel which draws on the Victorian theatre in its style, yet provides all the conveniences demanded by today's well-travelled guest. The hotel occupies a solid building of ample proportions which once housed a French pharmacy. At first glance, you could be forgiven for thinking that it is a restaurant, because most of its attractive glass front looks in on a brasserie. But pass through the main doors into the wide bustling hall and behold a veritable stage set: reception is the scene of the action, framed by a proscenium arch dressed with luxurious drapes, with a sweeping stone staircase as the backdrop.
What's its USP?
A great place to stay if you're in the capital to do some Christmas shopping. There are lots of good stores and boutiques on the doorstep, so you don't have to worry about struggling round London laden down by bagfuls of gifts – you can just keep popping back and dropping them off. And for the star-struck there is the chance of spotting a famous person, because the luvvies literally love this place (previous guests include Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Russell Crowe).
Rooms?
We stayed in a deluxe double, which was large, comfortable and quiet despite looking out over Monmouth Street. The bed was palatial in width, though a little short. The marble and mahogany bathroom had a bath and walk-in shower big enough for two, with Molton Brown providing the bubbles. There are 58 rooms and suites, each individually decorated. Our furnishings and fabrics were in a rather cold combination of ice blues and browns, but a lace canopy over the bedhead and a dresser's dummy gave a theatrical flourish. Guests also get the use of a comfortable drawing room and library with honesty bar on the first floor. Design Hotels (0800 169 8817; www.designhotels.com) offers one night for two in a double room from £276.
Food?
Max's Brasserie, the in-house restaurant, offers my partner's favourite fare: posh food with chips. I started with four rock oysters with pickled shallots and baby caper dressing (£1.25 each) and wished I had ordered six. Next came three delicious roast king scallops in an asparagus and pine nut crumble (£21) and perfectly sautéed spinach on the side (£4). My partner tried the lobster and Cornish crab salad (£13.50) without the crab (fool), but found it a bit bland. He followed with a more successful choice of poussin, cracked wheat, red onion, chilli and lemon salsa (£14.50) ... and fries. There's a tasty and varied breakfast menu too, including a champagne option.
Service?
Friendly and attentive.
Clientele?
As well as the thespians, it's popular with families and well-heeled gay couples.
Things to do?
Go shopping and take in a show. Watch a film in the hotel's 54-seater, state-of-the-art screening room (£30 with three-course dinner). Exercise in the well-equipped gym or book a beauty treatment.
Address?
Covent Garden Hotel, 10 Monmouth Street, London WC2H 9HB.
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