The Palace Papers - Issue 1 | Strand Palace

PALACE PAPERS

ISSUE 1

A collection of memorabilia from our archives.

WELCOME NOTE 3

}THE PALACE PAPERS }

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Managing Director, David MacRae welcomes you to the first issue of The Palace Papers

uests find us at 372 Strand, one of London’s oldest and finest streets. It’s a location the envy of many a hotelier as the Strand links Trafalgar Square to Covent Garden and The City just beyond. In other words, we’re tantalisingly close to London’s legendary entertainment and leading businesses.

Our history goes hand in hand with London’s. Together, we’ve witnessed three monarchs ascend the throne.

We’ve seen governments rise and fall. And we’ve lived through two world wars. We thrived in the 60s and survived Punk in the 70s. We’ve played host to hippies and yuppies,

baby boomers and millennials. And throughout all that history and over all that time our affection for London has not once waned.

Today, as we embark upon our second century, we’re investing in and invigorating the Strand Palace hotel. New rooms, better facilities and improved spaces are transforming the hotel and the guest experience.

The vast majority of us at Strand Palace have chosen London. We were attracted by its magnetic pull. We’ve seen much and can recount more. So, pull up a chair, let us pour you a drink, and we’ll tell you a tale or two. For at Strand Palace, we revel in rewarding our guests by serving London love.

STRAND CROSSWORD Have a go at our teatime puzzler

DO LET US KNOW IF YOU GET STUCK Please ask one of the team here who will be glad to help you...

FUN FACTS...

Every year the hotel accommodates the population of Iceland or Cardiff • We serve almost 250,000 litres of coffee every year – enough to fill 6 giant petrol tankers. • Between all members of staff at the Strand Palace we can speak 47 different languages.

ACROSS 4 The first one in the world opened in London in 1829 5 The river across the road 7 Joes in the Strand Palace 8 How many times London has hosted the Olympics 11 Bus and phone box colour 12 Simpsons across the road is known as the home of this board game 16 Famous toy shop in Covent Garden 19 Introduced to the Strand Palace bedrooms in 1958 20 Where you will find Simba 21 Famous Covent Garden shopping area ____ Dials 22 Mr Wren,s famous church 23 Nelson,s square

the palace papers: created by sabadesigns.co.uk the palace papers

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24 This country gives London the Trafalgar Sq Christmas tree every year DOWN 1 London,s famous bell 2 The first settlers in London 3 Colour of the Piccadilly line 6 The style in which the Strand Palace was first built 9 The birds at the Tower of London 10 Exam taken by London taxi drivers 13 Famous hotel across the road 14 She lost her needle down by the river 15 The nearest bridge to the Strand Palace 17 How many million people live in London 18 The Queen,s bank on the Strand

4 NEW ROOMS

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e’re currently midway through an extensive multi-millionpound hotel refurbishment, transforming everything from guestrooms to the hotel lobby. We are especially delighted to unveiling the brand new lobby, restaurant & bar, afternoon tea parlour and private dining room by mid-2019.

Once we have refurbished all 9 bedroom floors, we will have laid over 31,000 sq. metres of carpet. To really put this in perspective, if it was 1 metre wide it would stretch from the front of the hotel to the Oval, then Battersea power station, across the Thames to Earls Court, past the Hammersmith flyover onto the M4, finishing at terminal 5 in Heathrow.

Our brand new Superior and Deluxe guestrooms feature plenty of bed sizes, whether you’re here for a short or long stay, travelling alone, as a couple or small family.

The full range of new guestrooms ranges from Superior Cosy rooms, providing fantastic value, to Deluxe Studios with king-size (200cm wide) beds and comfortable sofa beds for a third guest.

The hotel’s ground floor, home to the new reception, concierge, restaurant and bar, afternoon tea room and private dining room will also undergo renovations. Finer details nod to the art deco stylings of the hotel’s heyday in the 1920s, with the velveteen chairs and marble-topped tables awaiting guests of the roaring 2020s.

David MacRae, General Manager of the Strand Palace, is pleased to have completed the first stage of the hotel refurbishment.

“One hundred and eight years in the making, these are truly the finest rooms in the history of the Strand Palace and reflective of our grand name. Among the many improvements we have made so far, I am extremely excited at the prospect of welcoming guests to the new ground floor soon.

“Ever since we first opened our doors in 1909, the Strand Palace has put the guest experience at the forefront of all we do.

This initial release is just the first small step in a complete reimagining of what it means to stay with us in the heart of London, where the City meets the West End, and the whole team is excited to see how this latest chapter in our history develops.”

IT'S ALL CHANGE AT

THE STRAND An exclusive look at our new rooms

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NEW ROOMS 5

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6 WHAT’S ON

JANUARY 2019  until 6 jan The ‘Southbank Winter Festival’  until 6 jan The Turner Prize exhibition is on at Tate Britain  until 13 jan ‘Poster Girls – A Century of Art and Design’ at the London Transport Museum  until 13 jan Ice skating at Somerset House  10 Jan – 14 Feb Catch the weekly ‘Cats in Literature’ course at the British Library  11 - 20 Jan The London Short Film Festival is on throughout London  12 Jan The David Bowie ‘double’ musical walking tour

by Nick Stephenson, celebrates the Brixton-born idol  14 - 19 Jan Blues Week at 100 Club in the heart of London  15 - 26 Jan The ‘Canary Wharf Winter Lights’  15 Jan – 3 Feb The London International Mime Festival at the Barbican B until 20 Jan Christian Marclay’s ‘The Clock’ at Tate Modern  until 20 jan The ‘I Object’ exhibition at the British Museum  20 Jan Catch the AngloSaxon Jewellery Making Masterclass at the British Library C 26 Jan Celebrate Burns Night with a Scottish themed dinner at the Tate Modern  until 26 jan ‘Hogwarts in the Snow’ is on at the Warner Bros Studio Tour, Leavesden  until 27 Jan ‘Modern Couples: Art, Intimacy and the Avant Garde’ is on at the Barbican  until 27 Jan The ‘Mantegna and Bellini’ exhibition at the National Gallery FEBRUARY 2019  2 Feb - 10 March The ‘Votes for Women’ exhibition at the Museum of London D 2 Feb - July ‘Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams’ opens at the Victoria and Albert Museum

J  until 3 feb The Klimt / Schiele exhibition is on at the Royal Academy of Arts E 3 Feb The Cancer Research UK Winter 10k run, with a route spanning London’s most iconic sights  5 Feb ‘Science on Screen’ at the Barbican with a screening of ‘Robocop’ F 9 Feb - 10 March The Orchids Festival is on at Kew Gardens, perfect for Valentine’s Day G 10 Feb Don’t miss the Chinese New Year B celebrations around Chinatown and West End  11 - 25 Feb International Fashion Showcase at Somerset House H 15 - 19 Feb London Fashion Week fills the city with glamour  14 Feb For the less lovestruck, ‘Good Grief! Gallery late: Love is…Unrequited’ at Somerset House is just the thing  14 - 17 Feb London Classic Car show at ExCeL London  16 Feb The Walthamstow Jazz Festival, part of Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture 2019 award  until 18 Feb ‘Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion’ is open at the Victoria and Albert Museum  until 19 Feb ‘Anglo Saxon Kingdoms’ is on at the British Library  until 24 Feb G See Tania Bruguera’s Hyundai Commission at the legendary Tate Modern Turbine Hall before it closes  27 Feb The Science Museum hosts an after-hours themed I evening on ‘The Last Tsar’.  27 Feb The Dorothea Tanning retrospective opens at Tate Modern I until 3 March The ‘Good Grief, Charlie Brown!’ Exhibition at Somerset House

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STRANDE

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in Lo So much to do, so little time...

WHAT’S ON 7

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F l ohe na n : iva tor stra illu

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MARCH 2019 J 5 March Get ready for Pancake Day, with local (and mostly culinary) traditions and pancake races around London!  9 - 23 March An existential musical journey awaits in ‘Strange Loops’ at the Barbican  16 March Women’s Eights Head of the River Race rowing event across the river Thames  17 March Spectacular and exuberant St Patrick’s Day Parade in London, complete with performances, Irish food, and of course lots of Guinness at Trafalgar Square  until 17 March ‘Cats on the Page’, a literary celebration of our feline friends, is on at the British Library  23 Jan - 17 March ‘The Vault’, London’s biggest arts festival  18 March ‘Sorolla, Spanish Master of Light’ opens at the National Gallery  open throughout March The ‘Food Glorious Food’ exhibition at the Charles Dickens Museum  open throughout March ‘Sculpture in the City’: public artworks are on display around London  until 24 March The Home Futures exhibition at the Design Museum  26 – 29 March ‘Africa Express: Together’ at Leytonstone, with over 100 African and Western musicians  27 March The EY exhibition ‘Van Gogh and Britain’ opens at Tate Britain K 28 – 31 March The London Coffee Festival at the Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane  30 March Head of the River Race along the Thames  open throughout March ‘The Sun’ exhibition at the Science Museum  31 March Spend Mother’s Day at the colourful and vibrant Columbia Road flower market, open until 3pm  31 March Then book into Sweetheart bakery inside the Piazza and treat your dear mother to afternoon tea

8 SHOPPING

BENJAMIN POLLOCK’S TOY SHOP

London in a Matchbox £4.95 www.pollocks-coventgarden.co.uk

INSTER WESTM F O E K F THE DU HOR SE SCAR rs G n Brothe IN so n K e C v RO iconic Ste d by our e th g n featuri lustrate silk Horses, il Rocking Ivana Nohel. 45cm hel.com o t n is a rt n a a v r cove www.i are, £65. twill squ

SWEETHEART BAKERY

Everyday bakes, cookies and cupcakes found inside The Market Building at 34, The Piazza. www.sweetheartcupcakes.co.uk

ROSEHEART JEWELLERS

Rough cut emerald, gold-plated and sterling silver ring £560 www.roseheartjewels.co.uk

BROMPTON BIKES

Brompton M6L in grey and lime green. Prices start from £800 www.brompton.com

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MARIAGE FRERES

Mousse Au Chocolat Black tea www.mariagefreres.com

SHOPPING 9

ROCOCO CHOCOLATES Large Union Jack Chocolate Truffles Box £26.95

THE BOUTIQUE EXPERIENCE The Strand Palace team have shopping on their minds...

ATELIER COLOGNE

Atelier Cologne offers a 30ml travel spray refilled with the Cologne Absolue of your choice and an engraved leather case (with every 200ml bottle) www.ateliercologne.com

STANFORDS

Illuminated globe with energy-efficient LED bulb £95 www.stanfords.co.uk

TINT

Handmade Italian leather metallicgold mirror lace-up brogues £179 www.tintlondon.eu

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10 THE STAGE

THEATRELAND The Strand Palace team set the stage...

MUSICAL  ‘Dreamgirls’ at The Savoy Theatre until 12 January  ‘The Book of Mormon’ at Prince of Wales Theatre, until 3 March  ‘Everybody’s Talking about Jamie’ at the Apollo until 6 April  ‘Magic Mike Live’ at The Theatre at Hippodrome Casino until 28 April  ‘Hamilton’ at Victoria Palace Theatre until 30 March  ‘Motown the Musical’ at Shaftesbury Theatre until 20 April  ‘Tina’, The Tina Turner Musical, Aldwych Theatre until 20 July  ‘A laddin’ at Prince Edward Theatre, until 1 June

THEATRE  ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ at the National Olivier Theatre until January 19  ‘I’m Not Running’ at the National Theatre until January 31  ‘Don Quixote’ at Garrick Theatre until February 2  ‘Macbeth’ at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Shakespeare’s Globe, until February 2  ‘True West’ at Vaudeville Theatre, until 23 February  ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ at Piccadilly Theatre, until 27 April  ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’ at the palace papers

The Duchess Theatre London, until 27 October  ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ at London County Hall, until 1 September

at the Royal Opera House, 14 – 31 January  Mozart’s Requiem at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, 1 February  Larcher and Beethoven from CLASSICAL MUSIC/OPERA The BBC Symphony Orchestra  ‘Diana Damrau sings Strauss’ at the Barbican, at the Barbican, 16 & 26 on 8 February January  Giacomo Puccini’s ‘La  Johann Strauss Gala at the Bohème’ at London Coliseum Royal Festival Hall, Southbank 29 Jan - 22 Feb Centre, on 19 January  Beethoven’s Piano Concertos  The BBC Symphony at the Royal Festival Hall, Orchestra performs Richard Southbank Centre, Causton, Schumann and 22 February Brahms at the Barbican,  Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ at on 23 January London Coliseum 14 March  Giuseppe Verdi’s ‘La Traviata’ – 11 April January 2019/ issue 1

THE STAGE 11

illustrator: stephanie hofmann

 Classical Spectacular at the Royal Albert Hall, 21-24 March  Poem of Ecstasy from the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican on 24 March MUSIC PERFORMANCES/ CONCERTS  Late Night Jazz with MS Maurice at the Royal Albert Hall, on 31 January  Patti Smith at The Roundhouse on 25 January  Philip Glass’ ‘Akhnaten’ at London Coliseum, 11 February – 7 March  Ozzy Osbourne and Judas Priest at the O2 Arena

on 11 February  Late Night Jazz with Chelsea Carmichael at the Royal Albert Hall, on 14 February  Yann Tiersen at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, 19 & 20 February  Massive Attack at the O2 Arena on 22 February  Bryan Adams at SSE Wembley Arena on 27 February  Disney’s Broadway Hits at the Royal Albert Hall, 1 and 2 March  Nicki Minaj and Future at the O2 Arena on 11 March  Blue Planet II - Live in Concert at the O2 Arena on 17 March

DANCE  Matthew Bourne’s ‘Swan Lake’ at Sadler’s Wells is until 27 January  Cirque du Soleil's 'Totem' at the Royal Albert Hall, 12 January - 26 February  ‘Don Quixote’ Ballet at the Royal Opera House from 15 February - 4 April  ‘Frankenstein’ Ballet at the Royal Opera House, 5 – 23 March  ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Ballet at the Royal Opera House from 26 March until 11 June  Russian Ballet Icons Gala 2019 at London Coliseum on 31 March

DISCOUNT & LAST MINUTE THEATRE TICKETS

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WIN £100

THEATRE VOUCHER We are thrilled to offer a £100 TKTS Theatre Voucher for a lucky guest to see a show of their choice. Follow us on Instagram @StrandPalace and tell us what show you would see.

12 HISTORY

STRANDS OF OUR TIME

Managing Director, David MacRae takes us on a trip down memory lane

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he Strand is more than just a busy London thoroughfare. Running parallel to the Thames and connecting Westminster to the City, it has been a focus for political and financial power for centuries.

Our part in the street’s story begins in 1907, when permission was granted for a ‘grand’ new hotel to be built.

In order to fund the project, The Strand Hotel Limited was incorporated on 31st October 1907, with some 4,000 shareholders. Two years later the Strand Palace Hotel opened its doors, with a single room with breakfast costing a mere five shillings and six pence – just 27p in today’s money. Many of the bedrooms in this wonderful new hotel the palace papers

were single rooms with no bathrooms, being especially designed for the servants of the more affluent guests. The gentry came to indulge themselves in the grandeur of the larger en-suite bedrooms, and the extensive restaurants and bars within the hotel.

In 1922 J Lyons & Co acquired shares in the company and bought Haxells family hotel which was next door. The aim was to expand and improve the Strand Palace Hotel, but the real story was to be the spectacular redesign. New art deco features – including a foyer so iconic that it is now owned by the V&A museum – proved a hit with fashionable Londoners, and made the hotel a firm fixture January 2019/ issue 1

HISTORY 13

on the capital’s social scene.

The post-war era saw the Strand Palace Hotel During the Second World War, the hotel provided implement a number of improvements, such as in 1958 accommodation for American servicemen, the introduction of private bathrooms in all accepting ration vouchers in its restaurants ῾...A single room guest rooms, which reduced the number of and sheltering guests in its basement during rooms from 980 to just short of 800. with breakfast air raids. Like a home away from home, The hotel has continued to have minor many spent their last night at the hotel costing a mere five refurbishments over the years and has before heading off to fight the enemy. Not shillings and six changed ownership several times, however everything changed however – the hotel’s none have been as extensive as the current regular dances continued, offering a much- pence – just 27p in refurbishment. Once complete, the hotel needed escape for war-weary Londoners. will have air conditioning installed in all our today’s money, Links with the past still remain and a few modern redesigned bedrooms and bathrooms, of the original art deco touches are visible as well as fully refurbished and exciting new inside and outside the building, and families of guests bars and restaurants on the ground floor. from the war years still return to relive the memories of We are ready once again to take part in the history of one their relatives. of London’s greatest streets. the palace papers

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14 EATING

TRIED AND

TESTED The Strand Palace,s finest reveal what,s on the menu in the area ROKA RESTAURANT Contemporary Japanese cuisine Recommended by Ben Chapman – Hotel’s Commercial Director “You must try the mouthwatering tasting menu where each dish is heaven on a plate.”

71 Aldwych, WC2B 4HN 4 min walk from the hotel THE DELAUNAY COUNTER Traditional Viennese cafe Recommended by Gemma Hall – Hotel’s Learning and Development Manager “Great for quick snacks or take-away throughout the day and their Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate is worth every calorie!”

55 Aldwych, WC2B 4BB 4 min walk from the hotel MAC & WILD RESTAURANT Showcasing the best of Scotland’s produce Recommended by Jamie Childs – Hotel’s eCommerce Executive “You must try the speciality butchers cuts. Incredible steaks from the Highlands!”

65 Great Titchfield Street, (Charing Cross via the northern line to Goodge Street and a 7 minute walk) total 17 min from the hotel ZIZZI Italian cuisine Recommended by Tina Cadby – Hotel’s Housekeeping Manager “The food is top-notch and you can see the chefs cooking. Service is excellent!”

73 Strand, WC2R 0DE 4 min walk from the hotel

PORT HOUSE Spanish Tapas bar Recommended by Ivan Stoychev – Hotel’s IT&T Technician “Go for the Dingle Gin with apple and cinnamon & Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic.”

417 Strand, WC2R 0PD 2 min walk from the hotel

Balthazar Mac&Wild

COACH AND HORSES Irish pub Recommended by David MacRae – Hotel’s Managing Director “Delightful Irish Bar with genuine Irish Beers and Irish hospitality.”

42 Wellington St, WC2E 7BD 4 min walk from the hotel CÔTE BRASSERIE Cosy and Inviting French Restaurant Recommended by Mara Jozing – Hotel’s Director of Revenue “A touch of French chic and delicious food – the Spinach and Mushroom Crêpes and Kir Royale are a perfect treat at any time of the day.”

17-21 Tavistock St, WC2E 7PA 3 min walk from the hotel

Côte Brasserie

The Delaunay Counter Port House

ON THE BAP Korean Street Food Recommended by Mara Jozing – Hotel’s Director of Revenue “A hip casual place where all dishes are bursting with character and flavour – their Bibimbab and Cherry Blossom cocktails are one of Covent Garden’s highlights.”

36 Wellington St, Covent Garden WC2E 7BD 3 min walk from the hotel the palace papers

Coach & Horses

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EATING 15 ROKA Restaurant

THE BLACK PENNY Coffee House and Kitchen Recommended by Clea Hauser – Hotel’s Marketing & Design Executive “I recommend the Green Eggs.

If you’re feeling particularly indulgent, add a side of halloumi. You won’t regret it.

The coffee is perfect too.”

34 Great Queen St, WC2B 5AA 9 min walk from the hotel MAISON BAB Modern Kebab House with upscale dining Recommended by Nelun Anzsar - Hotel’s Income Auditor “Delicious food (kebabs as you have never had them before) and delicious cocktails.”

4 Mercer St, WC2H 9FA 7 min walk from the hotel FLESH & BUNS Japanese Izakaya Restaurant Recommended by Kelly O’Neill – Hotel’s Director of Sales “Flesh & Buns is my fav local to the hotel. It’s a swanky Izakaya pub-style restaurant that serves up the best steamed buns in London. My favourite dishes are the Seafood Ceviche and the Crispy Piglet Belly Steamed Buns. If you still have room for more, the S’ Mores are a great way to finish off dinner.”

1 Earlham St, WC2H 9LX 7 min walk from the hotel BALTHAZAR Modern European/French brasserie Recommended by Anthony Baizet – Hotel’s Food & Beverage Assistant Manager “The restaurant is superb in all aspects. Balthazar serve traditional bistro food and classic French specialities with an attentive and excellent service. I recommend the Rib eye on the bone with Béarnaise sauce with a glass of Côtes du Rhône red.”

4-6 Russell Street, Covent Garden, WC2B 5HZ 4 min walk from the hotel the palace papers

EATING AT THE STRAND PALACE A 30 second walk from your room...

sacred london

New Zealand coffee and tea gurus Sacred have a fabulous cafe inside The Strand Palace hotel, you can sit in, take out or buy blends to use at home. We love the Auckland Blend and Sacred decaf. Always innovative, they are now making craft beer in conjunction with the Rocky Head Brewery. Do try the Gourmet Coffee Stout and the blonde ale. You don,t always need to stop for a coffee, treat yourself to a craft beer. www.sacredcafe.co.uk

Joe Allen

Famous New York style brasserie Joe Allen has been serving Londoners breakfast, brunch and pre and post theatre dinner for 40 years. They have always been based in Covent Garden to serve its many theatregoers. The walls are famously emblazoned with stage show posters from every decade, and their live pianists add to the relaxed ambience. Make sure you book a table for their piano brunch at the weekend. www.joeallen.co.uk January 2019/ issue 1

WIN TWO NIGHTS at the Strand Palace

The most creative photo of the cover of The Palace Papers wins a two night stay.

To enter, follow us on Instagram @strandpalace, post your photographs and tag us in.