B4 ACCOMMODATION
THE BAGLIONI LONDON
To sample pure Italian style is an intoxicating experience, and potentially, quite awkward. As we walked into the lobby of the Baglioni Hotel in the heart of Kensington, the authentic charm and warmth of the hotel’s spectacularly attired personnel soon dispelled any concerns that, in the words of any hip teenager talking to their parents, we ‘just weren’t cool’. B4 were the guests of the London Baglioni for a balmy night in August.
“A new vision of contemporary luxury” states the Baglioni group’s beautifully crafted brochure. Not wrong. Style, elegance, relaxation and sophistication are bywords of any Baglioni property, whether they are situated in Rome, Milan, Venice, Bologna or Florence, even Verona or Tuscany. And the good news is that Baglioni hotels are now also in France, and will soon be spreading to Dubai and Marrakech. The London Baglioni prides itself on its first class butler service, Spa and the Brunello Lounge and Restaurant, where Italian cuisine is represented in its finest form. There are just eighteen impeccably decorated rooms, five of them Superior, seven Deluxe, and six Executive. We were in one of the forty nine suites, comprising a spacious lounge 88
area, walk in dressing room, bedroom and marble-clad bathroom, with a fabulous walk in shower.
normally insatiable parking wardens, as the car bore no ticket. It was whisked away to the local car park, and I could concentrate on the meal ahead of us.
The interiors were smart and perfectly presented, complete with state of the art espresso machine, plasma screen TV, with a huge menu of the latest releases to relax in front of later, a well stocked bar and an inviting sofa to enjoy two of the aforementioned three.
The bar area is particularly impressive at the Baglioni. Huge six foot vases adorn the lobby and bar which merge into eachother. The striking bar, set at an angle, is flanked by huge columns and presents the perfect centerpiece for the lobby, bar and restaurant. This isn’t a huge hotel, but the intertwining of three busy areas has been achieved effortlessly, with touches such as the waterfall feature separating the lobby and bar offering a fascinating focal point.
We switched off as soon as we were in safe hands, basically as soon as we walked into the lobby. As we relaxed in the cocktail bar before dinner, a good two hours after having arrived, I remembered the car, outside on a yellow line. Fortunately, the hotel must enjoy a good working relationship with the
Paolo Quaranta and his staff took excellent care of us all evening, advising on perfect accompanying www.b4-business.com