Archive for the 'London' Category

Royal Hospital Chelsea

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

The Royal Hospital in Chelsea was founded by King Charles II, who authorised the building of the hospital in 1681, especially for old or injured soldiers. Over 3 centuries later the Royal Hospital is a retirement home and nursing home for British soldiers who are unfit for further duty due to injury or old age, and often known as “Chelsea Pensioners”.

Since 1913, the Royal Hospital has been home to the Chelsea Flower Show.

Events at the Royal Hospital

Along with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show the hospital hosts special events including weddings at the The Conservatory at Chelsea, a luxury marquee erected in the grounds of the hospital, which makes a breathtaking wedding venue.

The Royal Hospital Chelsea
Royal Hospital Road
Chelsea
London
SW3 4SR
Tel: 020 7881 5200
Official Website

Absolut Icebar London

Thursday, February 19th, 2009

The Absolut Icebar London is London and the UK’s first permanent ice bar. Everything inside is made out of crystal clear ice transported especially from the Torne River in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden and is kept super chilled at minus 5 degrees all year round. The walls, bar, tables, and even your own personal glass is made out of the purest ice. Absolut Icebar London is operated in 40 minute time slots and you will be given a designer thermal cape with a hood to keep you warm during your visit.

Every six months the Icebar is resculptured and the latest design will be unveiled on Wednesday 4th March 2009.

Opening Hours

Mon - Weds 3:30 pm - 11:00 pm,
Thurs 3.30pm - 11.45pm,
Fri 3.30pm - 12.30am,
Sat 12:30 pm - 12:30 am,
Sun 3.30pm - 10.15pm

Address

31-33 Heddon Street
London
W1B 4BN

Tel: 020 7478 8910

Official Site

Charlotte Street Hotel

Monday, February 9th, 2009

Nestling in the media stomping ground of north Soho, London is the Charlotte Street Hotel. A charmingly cool hotel that interestingly boasts a 67 seat, THX approved screening room.

With interiors by Kit Kemp and 52 individual bedrooms and suites. This luxury hotel is as arty and stylish as it is extremely comfortable. Featuring the bright and bold Oscar restaurant and bar, a fully appointed gym and private event rooms, this hotel is a very flexible and interesting residence in the centre of London’s media industry.

Charlotte Street Hotel
15-17 Charlotte Street
London
W1T 1RJ
Tel: +44 20 7806 2000
Fax: +44 20 7806 2002

Official Site

The Connaught Hotel

Tuesday, December 16th, 2008

The Connaught is a five star luxury hotel situated between Grosvenor Square and Berkeley Square in exclusive Mayfair, London.

Originally named The Coburg, but renamed The Connaught in 1917 after Queen Victoria’s third son, Prince Arthur, the first Duke of Connaught. Later, in 1935 the hotel was ran almost like an English private house, under the management of Rudolph Richard offering the ultimate in comfort and service.

The hotel was acquired by the Savoy Group in 1956. In March 2007 the hotel was closed for major redevelopment work and reopened in December. With further redevelopment to be finished in 2008.

Astonishingly since 1897, there have only been six general managers of The Connaught, and this has helped this fine establishment remain one of the most special places to stay while in London.

The hotel is available for weddings and other special events.

The Connaught,
Carlos Place
Mayfair
London. W1K 2AL
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7499 7070

Official Site

InterContinental London Park Lane

Monday, December 15th, 2008

The former site of a royal residence, the InterContinental Park Lane, offers an excellent position ‘twixt Mayfair and Knightsbridge and commands views of another royal residence, Buckingham Palace.

Neo-classical and contemporary designs fuse to create a comfortable and stylish location from which to see the best of London.

Featuring "simple rustic dishes" from acclaimed chef Theo Randall, the restaurant of the same name won the "Italian Restaurant of the Year" in the 2008 London Restaurant Awards.

The InterContinental is available for events including wedding functions.

1 Hamilton Place, Park Lane
London
W1J 7QY

Tel: +44-20-74093131
Fax: +44-20-74933476

Official Site

Kensington Roof Gardens

Tuesday, August 12th, 2008

Kensington Roof Gardens is an urban oasis in the heart of London. One and a half acres of themed gardens over 100 feet in the air offering spectacular views of the West London’s skyline.

Owned by Sir Richard Branson the Roof Gardens has a restaurant and night club and is available to hire for private and business functions as well as weddings. The Grade II listed gardens surround a two storey clubhouse which hosts the private events and the private members club which caters for up to 600 guests on Friday and Saturday nights.

The gardens were designed and built by Ralph Hancock between 1936 and 1938 and are divided into three themed gardens:

  • The Spanish garden, in the Moorish style and based upon the Alhambra in Spain, featuring fountains, vine-covered walkways and palms
  • The Tudor garden, with archways, secret corners and hanging wisteria
  • The English woodland garden, with over 100 species of trees, a stream, and a pond which is home to pintail ducks and two Chilean pink flamingos.

The Roof Gardens are listed as no.21 in the top 50 wedding venues by the Independent.

The Roof Gardens are accessible from Derry Street, through a doorway marked “99 Kensington High Street”.

The Roof Gardens
99 Kensington High Street (Entrance on Derry Street)
London
W8 5SA

Telephone: 020 7937 7994
Website

The Dorchester

Monday, August 11th, 2008

One of London’s and the world’s most celebrated hotels, The Dorchester is located in the heart of Mayfair on Park Lane, overlooking Hyde Park. Within walking distance are the luxury shopping areas of Knightsbridge, Bond Street and London’s famous theatre district.

The Dorchester Hotel opened on 18 April 1931. It was created by Sir Malcolm McAlpine and Sir Frances Towle. During the Second World War, because of it’s modern construction, it gained a reputation as a safe place to stay. Since then, The Dorchester has seen numerous famous guests including:
Winston Churchill, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Julie Andrews, Kim Basinger, Warren Beatty, Yul Brynner, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, Tom Cruise, Judy Garland, Johnny Depp, Dame Edna Everage, Charlton Heston, Nicole Kidman, James Mason and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Peter Sellers and Kenneth Horne both died while staying at this Mayfair hotel.

Events and Weddings at the Dorchester

The Dorchester is a celebrated events and wedding venue, with 12 private dining rooms that can accommodate between five to 1,000 people.

The Dorchester
Park Lane,
London
W1K 1QA

Telephone +44 (0)20 7629 8888
Facsimile +44 (0)20 7629 8080
Website

Belvedere Restaurant

Friday, July 4th, 2008

Situated within Holland Park, one of London’s beautiful parks and fashionable areas. The Belvedere dates back to the 17th Century where it was the Summer Ballroom to the Jacobean mansion that was Holland House.

Standing alongside the trees, friendly squirrels and other wildlife of Holland Park. The Belvedere Restaurant is surrounded by fountains, lawns and an air of tranquility which is very rare to find in London.

Available for lunch and dinner the restaurant is available to hire for private functions as well as a wedding venue with room for up to 120 guests.

Belvedere Restaurant
Off Abbotsbury Road
In Holland Park
London
W8 6LU

Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7602 1238
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7610 4382

Website

The Gore Hotel

Friday, May 23rd, 2008

Sitting enviably between Knightsbridge and Kensington opposite the ‘Queen’s Gates’ to Hyde Park, The Gore is a classic English boutique hotel. Since 1892 The Gore has been an elegant and romantic hotel with a lot of character. With ten deluxe rooms including the largest, the ‘Tudor Room’ which will take you back through the centuries. Other highlights include the uber-romantic ‘Venus’ room which was once graced by Judy Garland. It also features an engraved gilt wooden bed which was owned by the actress and singer.

The Gore has recently been extensively renovated with a £2.5 million facelift. Its wonderful location close to the Royal Albert Hall and twixt Kensington and Knightsbridge combined with a fabulous ambience, makes The Gore a great place to stay while in London.

The Gore
190 Queen’s Gate
London
SW7 5EX

Tel: +44 20 7584 6601
Website

HMS Belfast

Friday, May 2nd, 2008

HMS Belfast was the Royal Navy’s heaviest cruiser and is now berthed on the River Thames, close to Tower Bridge. Not only a museum ship and a popular London tour destination but is also now a popular events and wedding venue.

With space for up to 350 guests on her Quarterdeck, and stunning views of Tower Bridge and the Thames, HMS Belfast is a wonderful location to exchange vows and is a popular civil partnership venue.

HMS BELFAST
Morgan’s Lane, Tooley Street
London
SE1 2JH
Telephone enquiries: +44 (0)207 940 6300
Fax: +44 (0)207 403 0719
Website