Last Updated on October 23, 2023

Luxurious romance on offer for a Valentine’s Day Staycation

They say that the best gifts to buy are those you would like to receive yourself. That advice is perfectly achievable this Valentine’s Day with a special offer from Royal Lancaster London, a 5-star hotel overlooking Hyde Park. This mid-century architectural icon offers sophisticated luxury with a Love In London overnight stay with breakfast in one of its 141 rooms, a complimentary Valentine-themed afternoon tea as well as a bottle of champagne on ice and chocolates waiting for you in your room.

Invited to preview this wonderful offer, I took my husband for a pre-Valentine’s spoil. From the moment we arrived at the Royal Lancaster London, we felt the warm welcome that the well-trained staff exude. Being far too early for tea and not wanting to miss a moment of the gloriously sunny day, we dropped off our bag and headed straight out to Hyde Park which is literally across the road. The hotel overlooks the romantic Italian Garden and you can grab a coffee at the bijou coffee shop and soak up the afternoon sun or, as we did, walk down to catch up with some cutting-edge contemporary art at the Serpentine Gallery. For those with time on their hands, London’s top museums are but a few minutes’ walk through the park. Exhibition Road is home to the V&A, Science Museum and Natural History Museum. The shopping mecca of Knightsbridge and Harrods is not much further.

Returning to the hotel for check-in, we popped up to our 11th-floor suite overlooking the park, aptly named Park Suite. There are 15 of these suites at Royal Lancaster London and I can vouch for the fact that, while I have had the opportunity to review a number of 5-star hotels, I have never yet seen such a view. These suites run the full length of the side of the hotel and with enormous windows, you are privileged with a breathtaking panorama. It is also very sunny. If you do not like sun you can draw the blinds with a flick of a switch. Rather, leave the blinds up until bedtime. You are so far up that no one overlooks and what joy it is to take a hot shower while looking out over London. At night, the lights of the city are simply joyful.

The suite consists of a bedroom, a Carrara marble bathroom with fabulous underfloor heating, and a large dining and living room. There is a Nespresso machine, a kettle and teabags and biscotti. Furniture is all mid-century – cue comfortable sofas and armchairs in neutral colours with pops of teal. Gorgeous wooden built-in cabinets grace all the rooms. The living room shelves are filled with interesting books about London, there is a built-in desk area as well as a sizeable wardrobe in the passage between the rooms. The dining area sports a designer, round glass table with period-appropriate chairs. At night there are black-out blinds that ensure a good night’s sleep. In the morning, take a hot rain shower while looking out over London.

No sooner had we arrived in the room than an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne was delivered along with a couple of fruit tarts. We left this treat for later and headed downstairs to the Hyde Café on the ground floor for the Afternoon Tea. A cosy space behind the check-in desk, just off the large lobby, the Hyde Café is elegantly furnished with cream leather banquettes. I was intrigued by the intricate and sculptural central lighting. Our chatty and friendly waiter explained that the Royal Lancaster London has its own beehives above the car park. I later saw these for myself from our bedroom window. Hence, the design on the carpet throughout the hotel has a honeycomb pattern. Looking around the Hyde Café I noticed that this pattern is everywhere, even etched onto the lovely Wedgewood crockery and the sugar sachets. The waiters wear yellow ties, the eats are served on tiers hanging from gold trees with flowers sculpted onto the branches.

The tea began with a glass of well-chilled Laurent Perrier champagne which is the best way to ease into the ritual. We were presented with an impressive tea selection from Camellia Tea House each of which was delicious. My husband and I tasted three flavours between us. I enjoy white tea very much and the Chinese Oolong was unlike any tea I have encountered. It had vanilla on the nose and was buttery on the palate. I will certainly be tracing this one online. I also enjoyed the Bai Mu Dan. Along with the cakes I needed something more robust and switched over to a black tea – the Darjeeling Goomtee, 2^nd Flush – was lovely.

While we enjoyed the traditional eats, for the week over Valentine’s Day the cakes will be themed. We had a plate of finger sandwiches to start – a tasty chicken with tarragon mayonnaise, smoked salmon and cream cheese, roast beef with olive butter, mustard and rocket, egg and cress, and a lovely buffalo mozzarella, heritage tomato and pesto. After a break, we were brought a napkin which the waiter skilfully folded back to reveal four small scones. They were deliciously warm, had an excellent glaze, broke open easily and had a good crumb. They were served with strawberry jam and a good clotted cream.

The cake plate had four offerings. First was a homage to the bees with a Bee Hive – honey-whipped panna cotta with tiny chunks of caramelised pear and lemon butterscotch. As good as it sounds. Then a gorgeous looking Lancaster Rose – raspberry and lychee mousse and raspberry crunchy crust and an apple flower which puts my cake skills to shame. It was so pretty and beautifully created. An unusual opera slice – the three layers being pandan rice cake, coconut mouse and a mango flan – was very colourful. Lastly, a dark chocolate cake infused with Earl Grey, a chocolate ganache and Earl Grey jelly. There is also a vegan afternoon tea menu. Afternoon Tea is served daily between 1 – 4 pm.

By the time our leisurely tea had finished and we had drunk our fill of gorgeous brews, we returned to the 11^th floor to discover that the sun had set and we had a knockout view of the lights of London as far as the eye could see. One could pick our landmarks like the London Eye and The Shard, the skyscrapers of the City and Canary Wharf further in the distance. Below, the evening traffic was a mass of lights but our suite was quiet and very cosy. What better way to relax into the evening than running a hot bath with bath salts from The White Company and relaxing into the water after having just opened a bottle of champagne? It doesn’t get much more decadent than this 5-star luxury. It certainly sets up the right mood for a rather lovely Valentine’s evening. If you wish to stay in you can order 24-hour room service. The hotel has a number of restaurants including the Island Grill and the award-winning Nipa Thai. There is a wide range of dishes on the room service menu including a short selection from the Nipa Thai menu. We decided to eat at Nipa Thai itself, having made a reservation with the Concierge. On our return to the room, we were spoiled for choice with two large, flat-screen TVs – one in the bedroom and one in the living room – competing for attention. We watched a film and felt utterly relaxed.

After a good night’s sleep on a fabulous mattress – I had to peek to see what it was, so firm and comfortable – it was time for a hot rain shower while looking over Hyde Park. Another beautiful, sunny day. I felt sorry to have to be leaving. This is exactly the kind of suite in which to shut oneself away and work. I’d be very happy here for at least a week. The Royal Lancaster London is the kind of hotel that makes me fantasise about selling my worldly possessions and moving into a hotel suite to be looked after in perpetuity.

Having enjoyed a leisurely lie-in – you can order breakfast up to 11 am –  we waited for the knock on the door announcing breakfast. Yes, breakfast in bed is part of the Valentine’s stayover. I’ve never taken this option in a hotel before and now I’m hooked. The joy of privacy for breakfast – especially in the sun-drenched suite with that view – can’t be beaten. A wide range of options is available on the breakfast menu so you can choose whether you want Full English or a continental or something in between. I enjoyed eggs Benedict, one of my favourite breakfast choices, with berries and Greek yoghurt to follow. My hungry husband enjoyed an omelette followed by French toast. A plate of cheese provided lovely nibbling after breakfast while we enjoyed the last few hours until checkout at noon.

After less than 24 hours away from home I felt pampered, refreshed and relaxed. I can’t think of a more loving gift for Valentine’s Day than the Royal Lancaster London, London In Love romantic overnight package with breakfast and a delicious themed afternoon tea.

Valentine’s Afternoon Tea is available from 11 – 18 February

London In Love overnight package available from 11 – 18 February

Royal Lancaster London, Lancaster Terrace, London W2 2TY