It’s official: this month has been a winner! For years, I’ve entered competitions to win the incredible prizes The Guardian offers, and finally, my luck changed. I was awarded a night’s stay at the luxurious Grosvenor Hotel in London, a delicious three-course pre-theatre meal, and premium tickets to see Miss Atomic Bomb at St. James Theatre. I absolutely adore a good staycation in the city, and this one was incredibly decadent!
A Grand Victorian Hotel With Modern Amenities
Built by the pioneers of Victorian railway in 1862, the four-star Grosvenor Hotel sits conveniently on top of Victoria station – perfect for travelers. The entrance hall is a sight to behold, with soaring ceilings, a stunning chandelier that had me feeling like a rockstar, and beautiful period features that continue throughout the hotel. After a multi-million-pound refurbishment, the Grosvenor retains its original grandeur while incorporating modern luxury. Did you know it was also home to London’s very first working lift, powered by water?
A Dreamy Bedroom & A Bathroom I Could Live In
We stayed in an Executive King Room on the fourth floor, which was absolutely delightful. While not as spacious as the Executive Suite at The Kingsley, I loved the floor-to-ceiling windows, the simple decor with fun London-themed touches, and the enormous king-size bed. But before I could even think about sinking into the bedding, I was completely distracted by the bathroom.
It was the bathroom of my actual dreams! Imagine a bathroom as large as my bedroom, with elegant white and black tiled decor that would make any Pinterest lover swoon. And the bathtub! My heart skipped a beat. It was a magnificent, freestanding roll-top bath, the kind I’ve always dreamed of experiencing in a hotel. I couldn’t resist crumbling up my Comforter bath bomb and indulging in a long soak.
The shower attachment allowed me to actually wash my hair properly in the bath, which was a welcome surprise. I used the gorgeous complimentary Penhaligon’s toiletries, and my hair felt incredibly shiny and smelled divine.
Pampering & Pre-Dinner Delights in the Executive Lounge
Feeling utterly pampered, I headed to the Executive Lounge, which is reserved for guests staying in Executive Rooms. The Lounge is a charming space with plush seating and decor – a fantastic spot for working or relaxing. It was wonderfully quiet when I arrived, with only two other guests. A friendly staff member greeted me and offered to bring me a drink.
From 5pm to 9pm, the Lounge transforms into a Happy Hour haven, with complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and delicious canapes. Naturally, I opted for a classic gin and tonic and then headed for the canapes. The bruschetta was heavenly, and if I hadn’t been worried about overdoing it, I probably would have eaten the whole platter! There was also a cheeseboard and hot snacks, including chicken goujons and spring rolls. I truly felt like a VIP.
Ups and Downs with the Pre-Theatre Dinner
After enjoying some down time in the Lounge, I charged my phone, indulged in a quick Instagram session, and waited for Conor to arrive, just in time for our three-course pre-theatre dinner in The Grosvenor Arms restaurant. With the entire experience being so awe-inspiring, I was expecting a top-notch meal. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to the high standards of the hotel.
We were presented with a stripped-down pre-theatre menu, leaving us with limited choices. I settled on the Somerset Brie and Caramelised Onion tart, as the other options – soup, beetroot-cured salmon, and a Caesar salad – weren’t very appealing. I love brie and pastry, so I was hopeful.
The pastry was sadly unimpressive and reminded me more of a bakery chain than a high-end hotel restaurant. The onion chutney was rather peculiar and didn’t complement the brie at all. The lettuce underneath was wilted and soggy. Not a great start!
Mixed Experiences with the Main Course
I didn’t take a photo of my main course because it wasn’t very visually appealing. However, I loved the presentation of Conor’s Homemade Beefburger. The open style was cool, and the newsprint was a nice touch, though a bit overdone these days. Apart from being a tad dry, Conor said the burger wasn’t bad.
My Chicken and Chorizo pasta dish with blue cheese sauce wasn’t bad either, but it wasn’t particularly good either. The pasta, tomato sauce, and chorizo tasted like something I would cook at home. And the blue cheese “sauce” was just crumbled blue cheese, which wasn’t my favorite. On the plus side, it was a filling portion, and I couldn’t finish it all, which might have been a blessing in disguise.
Dessert to the Rescue!
The dessert saved the day! I truly enjoyed The Grosvenor Arms’ Dark Chocolate Tart with Raspberry Romanoff Cream and Crushed Pistachio. The chocolate tart was wonderfully rich. I struggled to finish it, but it was delicious. The raspberry cream complemented the dark chocolate perfectly. Oh, dessert, you are my soulmate!
A Memorable Theatre Show & A Night of Relaxation
After dinner, we headed to St. James Theatre to see Miss Atomic Bomb (read my review here). Then we went back to our room with gin in a tin, settled into our incredibly comfortable bed, and enjoyed watching Sport Relief on the huge bedroom television.
After another soak in the Pinterest-worthy bathtub of my dreams, we went downstairs to The Grosvenor Arms for breakfast. After our less-than-impressive dinner experience, we weren’t expecting much, but how can you really go wrong with breakfast?
A Delicious & Satisfying Breakfast Experience
To our delight, The Grosvenor Arms redeemed itself with a delicious breakfast buffet that included a cooked Full English, a variety of pastries, cereals, cold meats, yogurts, fruit – the list goes on. The sausage and bacon were both very good, and I especially enjoyed the potato croquettes.
Final Thoughts & Recommendation
The Grosvenor Hotel is a truly lovely place to stay. The bedroom, THAT BATHROOM, and the Executive Lounge all made me feel special and added a touch of luxury to my usually budget-friendly lifestyle. However, if you’re staying there, I recommend avoiding the restaurant, particularly the pre-theatre menu, and exploring the many other dining options in Victoria.
The Grosvenor Hotel can be found at 101 Buckingham Palace Road London SW1W 0SJ. For more information and bookings, visit their website here.
Our stay and dinner at The Grosvenor Hotel were complimentary as competition prize winners, with no expectation of review.
