Claridge’s.. Nothing Compares…
Nothing… compares…
To the… iconic…
Legendary… beauty…
Of… the…
Hôtel… Claridge‘s…
During our short.. sharp.. but productive business trip to “Londres“…
One of our most memorable moments was spent sipping jasmine green tea served on fine china in the opulent splendour of Thierry Despont’s Foyer.. inspired by the 1930s’ heyday of art deco.. while devouring an assortment of delicately formulated finger sandwiches.. accompanied by warm scones.. drenched with strawberry preserve and clotted cream.. piled high on a three-tiered stand.
Afternoon Tea at Claridge’s… is truly a lovely experience…
So… British…
So… divine…
While the pianist played many a splendored favourite.. we were enthralled by the enduring.. timeless grandeur of the main salon.. flanked by a smaller “intime” anteroom and the irresistible cozy lounge bar.
Claridge‘s of Mayfair.. founded in the year 1812.. has a long standing connection with Royalty when in 1860 the Empress Eugénie made an extended visit and entertained Queen Victoria.. no less.. at the hotel. While Winston Churchill.. hero of World War II.. enjoyed a suite there.
It has also been frequented by actors.. entertainers.. and directors like the suave unforgettable Cary Grant and the adorable Audrey Hepburn.. not remotely forgetting the brilliant but formidable Alfred Hitchcock.
Taking leave of our super-delicious Afternoon Tea.. we stepped into the diamond black and white marble flooring of the foyer… when a stunning scene awaited us…
A huge Christmas tree nestled against the winding balustrade.. however the dark green branches were denuded of any décor… no baubles… no twinkling lights… just a huge tall fragrant “sapin” majestically made its presence felt.
Bon…
More tall dark pine trees were grouped and huddled together into a make-belief mysterious forest.. mise 
en scène by world-renowed designers Sir Jony Ive, Marc Newson and Michael Howells.. white snow dripping from the leaves of the silver birch and fir trees.. capturing the magical spirit of Noël…
Enchanting…
Thrilling…
It took our… breath away…
Claridge‘s… of Mayfair…
Will always… be a must destination…
It’s… splendid…
Elegant…
Like a woman… of great beauty…
It’s… dazzling…
C’est… mythique…
J’adore…
a.