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Forget The Ritz: little-known Hotel 41 is voted London's best hotel by TripAdvisor users

Evening Standard journalist Lizzie Edmonds checks in to Hotel 41, a five-star intimate private hideaway in the heart of London: Lucy Young
Evening Standard journalist Lizzie Edmonds checks in to Hotel 41, a five-star intimate private hideaway in the heart of London: Lucy Young

London is home to some of the most famous and luxurious hotels in the world including The Ritz, The Savoy and Claridge’s.

But according to TripAdvisor users, the best is a little-known boutique hotel near Buckingham Palace that offers champagne on arrival and a treats pantry complete with an ice-cream fridge.

With just 28 bedrooms and two suites, Hotel 41, on Buckingham Palace Road, has been voted London’s top hotel in the 2017 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards. The five-star establishment, part of the Red Carnation Hotels group, is also ranked seventh in Europe, and 20th in the world.

Before arrival, visitors are sent an extensive guest preference form, where they can request what pillows they would like, specify if they require a humidifier, yoga mat or exercise bike in their room or if they would like to hire a mobile phone or laptop. Guests can be picked up from Heathrow or Gatwick in a Range Rover.

Malcolm Hendry, Hotel 41 general manager, who has worked there for 16 years, said: “Red Carnation group and therefore Hotel 41 are a small, family-run hotel firm that has a genuine core of passion. We offer an unbelievable experience for our guests.

“We don’t just aim to deliver expectations, but exceed them. That’s why we have things like the guest preference form to help us get to know our guests and give them the best stay possible.

“While we are not for everyone, Trip-Advisor gives people a true and honest impression of a hotel from the unbiased perspective of guests so we’re very pleased to have won.”

The exterior of the winning hotel
The exterior of the winning hotel

Of the 2,272 English reviews on Trip-Advisor, more than 2,000 users voted it “excellent”. Just three people marked it “terrible” and 13 “poor”.

Prices for a room plus breakfast start at £359 per night. Sweets, popcorn, biscuits and fruit are on offer throughout the day from the treats pantry, as is a fridge full of Jude’s ice cream. All are complimentary for guests.

But if that’s not enough, guests can order from the menu of sister restaurant Bbar from midday. There is also an honesty bar with a range of spirits and an extensive wine list.

Now in their 15th year, the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards are based on millions of reviews and opinions from travellers worldwide.

Visit www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravellersChoice for more information

'These 2,000 people are not wrong, this is a fabulous place to go'

Evening Standard journalist Lizzie Edmonds enjoys champagne on arrival to Hotel 41 (Lucy Young)
Evening Standard journalist Lizzie Edmonds enjoys champagne on arrival to Hotel 41 (Lucy Young)

I’m more used to staying in hotels rated “poor” on TripAdvisor — or perhaps “average” for a very special occasion.

So staying at a hotel adored by more than 2,000 people marked a real step up in the world.

On arrival, you’re escorted along an ornate hallway, into a golden lift and up five floors. From there, it’s a short saunter through a maze of corridors to the luxurious executive lounge.

Sitting in a leather chair, sipping on a glass of champagne as I casually checked in, the fact I was in the middle of hellishly busy Victoria became a distant memory.

After check-in, I was introduced to the guest pantry — stuffed full of everything I should have given up for January. Then I headed to the room, which was stylishly decorated in black and white and had every amenity you could think of, including an open fire.

Having gorged on snacks for hours, I had a lighter dinner of canapés and a tomato and mozzarella salad — all prepared with my dietary needs (gluten free) in mind. Luckily, my guest was hungrier, ordering a “succulent” fillet steak.

I collapsed into bed, woken by the dreaded Monday morning alarm but fully rested after a good night’s sleep. So, as it turns out, those 2,000 people are not wrong. This is a fabulous place to go to get away from it all.

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