Like the vast majority of the U.K., London is under a lockdown until at least December 2. The first one, which started on March 16, shuttered all London hotels, a closure that remained in place until they were allowed to reopen – with COVID-19 related precautions in place – over the summer. This time, hotels have the option to remain open with one caveat, they are open for business travel only.
The Corinthia London is one of those where guests can still check in. In line with regulations, its restaurants and bars, plus spa and fitness area are closed but there’s an enhanced room service menu. Near Trafalgar Square, it’s one of London’s stealth luxury hotels; suite-heavy, a number with private terraces that attracts a number of high profile guests.
On the Strand, the Savoy remains open as does the fin-de-siecle inspired, more boutique L’Oscar on Southampton Row and the Four Seasons on Park Lane, facing Hyde Park and near Buckingham Palace.
Maybourne has kept its hotels open; three of Mayfair and Belgravia’s most famous luxury hotels; Claridge’s, the Connaught and the Berkeley. While restaurants have closed, its room service cherry picks key dishes of each hotel; guests at Claridges can get C.F.C; chef Daniel Humm’s famed fried chicken or a whole roast chicken stuffed with black truffle and foie gras.
Also open is The Bloomsbury where guests arrive to a COVID-19 amenity kit including facemasks and hand sanitizers. Other measures include QR codes replacing paper menus. With Irish-accented luxury, its room service menu includes smoked salmon on Guinness bread and rib-eye steak. The Bloomsbury is currently hosting a film production company in London for a shoot.
Says its General Manager, Michael Neve, “We are delighted that we can stay open during this lockdown, even if it is at a limited capacity. The fact that we are able to welcome essential workers and support various industries including production and film means we can keep more staff working during what is such a difficult and challenging time for everybody.
Marriott has kept open the St Pancras Renaissance, JW Marriott Grosvenor House and Marriott County Hall and Marriott Grosvenor Square.
With the majority of offices closed, many luxury hotels have started to fill the gap with packages that accentuate their business facilities and day rates. Rosewood London on Holborn has a business butler who can help with work-related needs such as printing and scanning as well as unlimited tea and coffee runs from the onsite Holborn Dining Room; the hotel backs onto Lincoln’s Inn Fields, the heart of the British legal establishment.
With many facilities closed, rates are very reasonable for business travellers. In Knightsbridge, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park starts from £343 per room per night. It has, like other hotels in the group, introduced the Work from MO programme with printing and office facilities plus in-room dining.
COMO, which operates the Halkin and the Metropolitan in London, has brought some zen to business travel this autumn with both working stays and day rates. The Working From COMO package includes workspace, plus massages, a Shambala lunch with dishes designed to boost immunity and increase concentration.
Each room has access to COMO’s wellbeing channel for guided yoga and meditation, with a yoga mat provided in-room.
