Fora Hotel Spotlight: Rosewood London

Image courtesy of Rosewood London

It’s no wonder Rosewood London is one of our top-booked hotels in the British capital. The sophisticated, regal building is an Edwardian Belle Époque stunner. It’s also the former seat of the Pearl Assurance Company, a historic insurance provider.

From the moment you check in, you’ll feel well taken care of. This is British hospitality at its finest. The hotel is luxurious, with white-glove service. But it never feels forced and stuffy. Instead, it’s warm and inviting.

Read on to learn what makes the hotel so special. Then, connect with Fora to plan and book your stay there (while also unlocking VIP Rosewood Elite perks).

A coveted Central London location

Image courtesy of Rosewood London

As a company, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts champions a strong sense of place. The brand’s hotels reflect their surroundings and embody their respective area’s history, culture and unique dynamism. This is especially true at Rosewood London.

The luxury hotel is supremely located. Its 252 High Holborn, London address puts it mere steps from the West End’s lively Covent Garden neighborhood, with its array of theaters and entertainment venues. The property is also nearby notable (and must-see) attractions like the British Museum, the Royal Opera House and the posh boutiques lining Lamb’s Conduit Street. 

It’s the perfect, serene homebase from which to explore the United Kingdom’s vibrant capital city.

“From the moment you step or drive through the entrance into the courtyard there is a sense of tranquility and calm, far removed from the bustling city outside!” Fora Advisor and London native Alexandra Hepworth said.

Additionally, Rosewood London’s concierge (and the concierge at any Rosewood property), is the best of the best. 

“Our concierge team are the real insiders,” said Rosewood London’s Director of Sales & Marketing Bana Toukan. “They’re eager to spill the beans on hidden gems and provide access to a range of exclusive experiences in London.”

The unparalleled hospitality (those Brits know how to pamper) is only augmented by the exemplary butler service available. Fora Advisor Lindsay Burkhead, one of Fora’s top Rosewood London bookers, also highlighted the property’s service, noting how staff members “go above and beyond” to guarantee a memorable stay.

Another deluxe option available: you can request luxury chauffeur service with your choice of a Rolls-Royce, Mercedes Benz or BMW model (so you can take the 18-mile transport from London Heathrow in style).

Related Article: Destination Debrief: Central & West London

Rosewood London’s décor combines English sophistication with playful surprises

Image courtesy of Rosewood London

The London hotel is a master of taste. Wrought-iron gates and a dedicated carriageway harken to England’s past, while contemporary art and sleek interiors lend it a polished, modern flair. Colorful, abstract pieces from artists like Eduardo Hoffman and Peter Osborne line the walls, as do provoking, playful pieces from cartoonist and illustrator Gerald Scarfe. The latter is the namesake of the hotel’s Scarfes Bar, where you can nurse creative cocktails amid the artist’s original work and live jazz. 

Bana shared that what she loves most about the hotel is the “remarkable blend of historic grandeur of the building and modern sophistication,” as well as the “intricate and elegant details, from the captivating marble staircase and artwork to the bronze gallery.” 

Rooms and suites are spacious and airy, with a serene, elevated British sensibility: dark wood, upholstered furniture, leather. Depending on which room you’re in, you might be treated to a large marble hearth or a collection of bespoke books displayed in a glass shelf bedecked with a floral pattern. All rooms come with a mini bar, Italian marble bathrooms and modern pluses like a bluetooth speaker system and Nespresso machine.

“The rooms and suites are nothing short of exquisite,” Lindsay added.

If you’re traveling in a larger group or with the whole family, consider the hotel’s Grand Manor House Wing, an exclusive residence with a private entrance, elevator and the ability to book the entire floor, with seven connecting bedrooms. It’s the world’s only suite with its own postcode. (And all of the suites and many of the rooms can accommodate a rollaway crib, if you don’t need the entire manor.) Speaking of family-friendliness, clients of Fora Advisor Tracy Burpee just got back from a personal stay at the hotel. She said the kid-sized robes and slippers were a big hit. 

The London hotel’s dining is top-notch

Image courtesy of Rosewood London

There are several food and drink options to choose from, and all merit a visit (or several). There’s the aforementioned Scarfes Bar, a must for the jazz and art enthusiasts among us (or for anyone after an especially good time).

The hotel’s main restaurant is Holborn Dining Room. It’s an elegant British brasserie open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Savor British classics made from seasonal, local ingredients. And if you love beef wellington, or want to try its best iteration, don’t miss Welly Wednesday; the signature dish is only served then.

Holborn Dining Room also houses The Gin Bar, home to one of London’s largest gin collections (over 500 bottles!). This is where to go for a masterful gin and tonic. The bar’s Gin Book offers over 10,000 G&T varieties.

You’ll also find The Pie Room — one of Alexandra’s favorite hidden gems — within the main restaurant. It’s a whimsical private dining room where you can watch chefs prepare the country’s signature warming, flaky-crusted delights. Bana called the pie-making masterclass, hosted therein, a quintessentially British experience. Tuesday through Thursday, from 11 am to 3 pm, you can even grab one of their gourmet pies to go. Additional treats are found throughout the hotel: there are glass bowls filled with chocolates.

“I still dream about those chocolates,” Fora Advisor Stephanie Cone reminisced.

And you must not miss the Art Afternoon Tea experience within Mirror Room. You’ll dine on gourmet finger sandwiches, fresh scones and loose-leaf teas. But the intricate, whimsical pastries crafted by chef Mark Perkins and his team really steal the show. They’re inspired by the work of artistic icons like Yayoi Kusama, Picasso, David Hockney and Andy Warhol. Indeed, the desserts are pieces of art in and of themselves. The artistic theme rotates every few months, so every experience is distinct and exciting.

And if you’d prefer to don a bathrobe and get cozy in your room, we don’t blame you. The room service is delicious, indulgent and perfect for a relaxing night in. (And the culinary team can curate tailored in-room dining experiences for you such as romantic dinners for two.)

Rosewood London’s Sense spa is an urban oasis

Image courtesy of Rosewood London

There’s always something going on in London. Its energy is palpable and contagious. But if you need a break — or even a total reset — head to Sense, a zen retreat with soft bamboo walls and wooden pathways traversing over water and pebbles. (For additional zen vibes stateside, consider a trip to the Greenwich Hotel’s Shibui Spa.)

Rejuvenate skin at the spa’s Face Place, the famed skin clinic’s only outpost outside the US. Or, opt for a more traditional treatment: choose from holistic massages incorporating ancient techniques and essential oils, treatments catered to couples or pregnant people and more comprehensive, targeted journeys. In between treatments, lounge in the spa’s sauna and steam room.

One highlight is Detoxifying Body Ritual. The 90-minute treatment starts with a Epsom-salt scrub and a private steam shower, and concludes with a full-body massage. (Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is named after the town of Epsom, in Surrey, known for its mineral-rich waters.)

If your type of wellness looks more like a sweaty gym session, Rosewood London has you covered. There’s a 24-hour onsite gym. If you prefer to train solo, the hotel will happily provide equipment for an in-room session. Rosewood London even offers a personal trainer, and maintains relationships with several nearby private gyms. 

Ready to travel to London? Connect with Fora to plan and book your dream getaway today.