London is without a doubt one of, if not the best destination in the world for shopping. This is the reason that Middle East residents flock to the streets of the British capital during the hot summer months to take advantage of summer sales in the vast department stores of Harrod’s, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols London, as well as the wealth of High-Street shops that line the legendary Oxford Street.
When looking to travel to London with the premise of doing a spot of shopping, having a central base is crucial. The Cumberland Hotel, located just a stones throw from Selfridges itself is the perfect contemporary haven for exactly this.
Located in the very heart of the west end, where fashionable Oxford Street meets luxury Park Lane, The Cumberland Hotel sits proudly, a stunning beacon of modern style and world-renowned service. Part of the Guoman Hotel Group, The Cumberland certainly makes a first impression. A spectacular, vast lobby is a minimalist’s dream; chrome galore and neon lighting make up this space, directly contrasting it to its historic locale. Futuristic pop art adorns the walls and oversized sculptures add a unique touch to this communal area. You’ll notice that Jimi Hendrix seems to be somewhat of a feature and this further continues through the accommodation here at The Cumberland.
Something that didn’t go unnoticed was the popularity of this hotel with Middle Eastern guests, most probably due to its unrivaled location, proximity to airport connections and hospitable service.
All rooms here even offer a new specially curated Middle Eastern in-room dining menu, a true reflective of the percentage of travellers from the GCC region that opt to stay in The Cumberland when visiting London.This recently introduced menu includes traditional Arabic dishes such as fresh tabbouleh salad and honey soaked baklava among many others.
The rooms and suites at the hotel range from beautifully bijou to spacious sanctuaries yet all follow the same modern styling that resonates with the rest of the hotel. Whilst the hotel may well be right in the midst of the busy London metropolis, your room at The Cumberland hotel is a comfortable haven to escape the bustle and relax in luxurious furnishing. Double-glazed windows framed by heavy blackout curtains shut away the outside world leaving you in your own space of peace and calm.
There are in fact 1,000 bedrooms in this iconic London hotel, although you’d never know. Apart from busy check in and check out times, the hotel retains an aura of serenity about it which is in perfect contrast to the streets outside. One of our favourite parts about The Cumberland is its discreet dedication to the art scene. From the vibrancy of those pieces taking pride of place in the lobby to the unique, specially commissioned works from one of Britain’s leading artists that hang in each room here, this is a hotel that exudes London cool. Many of the rooms and suites at the hotel boast views out across the green of Hyde Park, London’s most famous park that divides W1 with SW1 – if you have the weather we cannot suggest a stroll through this beautiful open space any more. Rooms range from a Standard Single and Double to King Suites and the Cumberland Apartments, yet each one has a plasma-screen TV and a room that’s large enough for all your shopping bags. They are all completely individual in their style, decor and ambience which is the great thing here.
Each of the 368 Standard Double Rooms are small but perfectly formed. They’re an ideal base for exploring the cosmopolitan city of London and offer modern comforts that you would expect from a four-star property in one of the most vibrant parts of the world. Decorated in a neutral colour palette, the soft bed directly faces your TV screen, perfect for putting your feet up after a hard day shopping, enjoying the best of British television.
We were lucky enough to stay in one of the 17 Junior King Suites which are highly recommended for those looking for that extra douse of luxury living. Spacious and stylish, these Junior King Suites are beautifully decorated, keeping in tune with the neutral colour scheme and offer a real home away from home. They even offer exclusive features such as a blissful walk-in power shower and space to work at a desk if you can’t quite escape your office abroad – something that every journalist knows only too well!
Sink into the squishy sofa whilst enveloped by the coziness of your in room bathroom and slippers before you take a trip to the exclusive Guoman Club Lounge that occupants of these suites have access to. The newly refurbished Club Lounge is relaxing place where you can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi (please note that the Suites also come with this), morning headlines and a selection of local and international newspapers. There is also a selection of refreshments and light bites throughout the day, with early evening canapes and cocktails a great place to start your London evening out.
For something really special the Jimi Hendrix Suite cannot go without a mention. Quite possibly one of our favourite hotel suites in the entire city, this is the rare opportunity to experience boutique rock & roll chic in the heart of a luxury hotel. This vibrant, colourful suite is so named in honour of the room where the guitar legend gave his last ever interview back in 1970. A wildly vivacious space with a bold wall mural immediately drawing the eye and a genuine, rare ‘Flying V’ guitar that has been customised to replicate the one that Jimi himself decorated. Let yourself be transported to the swinging sixties with this inspirational suite which wholly encapsulates the ethos of Hendrix, the vision of interior designer Mary Gannon. The flamboyant colours and psychedelic patterns are complemented by a clashing combination of soft furnishing and a flash of statement lighting. The statement mural which is the focal part of this Suite, was created by Andie Airfix and sits alongside a wall of framed originals of NME covers dating back to the 1960s which featured arguably one of the most legendary rock stars of all time.
Another aspect of The Cumberland that sets this hotel apart is the great dining options. Afternoon tea is somewhat of a British institution and the Brasserie at The Cumberland offers a great version. Serving pioneering teas and some exceptional sweet treats, it’s the perfect afternoon pit stop from all the sightseeing (and shopping); traditional sandwiches such as free range egg mayonnaise & watercress and cucumber & soft cheese are served up alongside freshly baked scones and beautiful cakes all washed down with a T2 Loose Leaf Tea. Bliss.
The Cumberland is one of those hotels that is so well-known it doesn’t need to shout its name from each and every rooftop, a favourite for Middle Eastern guests for its discretion, attention to detail and carefully curated offerings, this is a hotel that knows its target market. Location wise you couldn’t find better if shopping is what you’re after and if you couple this with excellent service and luxurious accommodation, The Cumberland is an obvious choice when staying in the centre of London.
For further information and for reservations please visit
http://www.guoman.com/en/hotels/united_kingdom/london/the_cumberland
The Insider UAE 