I’m a big fan of Downton Abbey. Love Mr. Bates and Anna. Love Carson’s dry humor and can-do attitude. Want Mrs. Hughes in my corner. And Mrs. Patmore in my kitchen.
Much to my delight, I got to experience a little bit of that jolly scene when I checked into 51 Buckingham Gate Taj Suites and Residences in London last week.
Located just a couple blocks from Buckingham Palace (and walking distance to many museums, Westminster Abbey, Parliament and parks), this Five-Star-star Taj hotel is actually a cluster of fairytale buildings built around a pretty courtyard with Victorian fountain and outdoor cafe. It’s a very traditional scene but with chic, contemporary furnishings and friendly, accommodating service.
51 Buckingham Gate actually consists of three mansions – Minsters, Falconers, and Kings. Each offers luxurious accommodations ranging from Junior Suite to seven-bedroom. Minsters is considered the most posh, though all three offer rooms that are elegant and wildly spacious by big-European-city standards. Minsters is also the most expensive. That’s why I had booked a Junior Suite in Falconers at a special rate that also included breakfast. (More about rates below.)
However, because renovations were underway on Falconers and Kings (January/February is low season in London), I was given a Minsters suite with spacious living room, two bathrooms with heated floors, a small, ultra-modern kitchen, and a supremely comfortable bed. I especially loved having extra space to hang all the wet overcoats, umbrellas, and waterlogged shoes involved in four straight days of near-freezing rain.
But best of all was the Downton Abbey aura --- totally British; gracious and elegant but never stuffy; knowledgeable and responsive but never overbearing. At the front door we were greeted by Sergio, the head of the butler staff who would become travel advisor, etiquette authority, raconteur and friend during our four-night stay. He whisked our bags to the suite, pointed out how things like heating worked, offered to unpack our bags for us (we politely declined), then suggested we relax after our journey with a bite to eat in front of the library’s fireplace. Sitting in the cozy salon, with a pot of tea and a terrific grilled cheese sandwich, I could have sworn I heard Lord Grantham calling for his footman.
London is expensive. And 51 Buckingham Gate is expensive --- a large (500 sq. ft.) Junior Suite runs about $550 a night in February on Expedia. But there are always special offers available, including the “Extended Stay” that I took advantage of, and a “Stay Two, Get One at 50%.” Moreover, I have read on travel sites that guests are often upgraded to larger rooms. Given the spacious and refined accommodations and exceptional service, I consider 51 Buckingham Gate an excellent value, especially when compared to the other Four- and Five-Star London hotels I looked into.
The property is also home to Saint James Court’ – A Taj Hotel, the largest of the buildings in the cluster with 338 rooms. A classic double runs about $250 right now on Expedia. That hotel doesn’t have the Downton Abbey luxury of 51 Buckingham Gate, but it does offer excellent service. Late one wet, icy night, after we had been turned away by a couple of hotel bars on the way home from the theater, we sloshed into the Hamptons Bar at St. James’, and warmed ourselves with glasses of Port and delicious complimentary bar snacks, served by a most accommodating staff.
Hotel dining options include Bank Westminster and Bistro 51 restaurants and Zander Bar, as well as Quilon, the Michelin-starred restaurant featuring contemporary SouthWest Indian food. More about my memorable dinner at Quilon later.
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