Check-In: The Corinthia Hotel, London
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Talk to many European hoteliers nowadays, and there is one key question on their lips: ‘how do we attract and cater to Asian guests?’
Across the continent, hoteliers are busy doing research to come up with creative and innovative ways of satisfying the new wave of well-heeled Asian visitors. All of which is very commendable of course, but really, when it comes to offering the key draw cards for affluent Asian travellers – location, luxury and tradition – well, as the saying goes, “you’ve either got it or you ain’t”.
And one hotel that has definitely got ‘it’ is The Corinthia Hotel London.
Set in a grand Victorian building on Whitehall Place, a stone’s throw away from Trafalgar Square, the London Eye, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the location of The Corinthia could not be better suited to the Asian leisure traveller.
The building itself dates back to 1885, and as the traditionally-attired doormen unload your bags from the classic black cab, it seems that little has changed in the intervening years. All of which provides the international visitor with an unmistakable sense of place – the firm knowledge that they have arrived in London.
Step inside the hotel and the feeling of Britishness continues, but combined with a little more 21st Century flair. The lobby and adjoining lounge area feature marble floors and pillars, juxtaposed with contemporary art and clean-edged furniture and topped off by a huge ‘full moon’ chandelier.
And this sense of traditional and modern is also reflected in the hotel’s 294 rooms and suites, which combine old-world comforts with the latest technology, such as LED TVs in both the bedroom and bathroom, complimentary Wi-Fi, Nespresso machines, and marble bathrooms with separate tubs, and huge showerheads that give true meaning to that much-used term, ‘rain shower’.
Rooms also come equipped with large walk-in dressing rooms, which are wonderful but, curiously, lack a full-length mirror, which would make it so much easier to get ready for dinner.
And dining at The Corinthia offers another taste of modern Britain. After several years in the doldrums, Britain’s food is becoming fashionable again and The Northall restaurant showcases the country’s culinary traditions at their finest. With soaring windows, pillars and chandeliers, this dining room provides a light and elegant showcase for traditional British produce, including Sussex venison, Dover sole, Hebridean halibut and Cornish sardines. The Northall also hosts an excellent daily breakfast, where traditional ‘full English’ favourites sit alongside a range of Asian staples, including dim sum, steamed buns and sashimi.
One area in which European hoteliers have traditionally found it difficult to satisfy the needs of Asian guests has been in spa sector. And while the UK isn’t the spiritual home of the spa, The Corinthia has joined forces with ESPA to create a wellness centre to rival anything in Asia.
Spread across four floors and with 17 treatment rooms, ESPA Life at Corinthia is one of London’s largest spas. After a day on the busy streets of London, guests can unwind in a series of under-lit pools, saunas and relaxation rooms, with the rippling water reflecting off the marble walls to create a serene, other-worldly experience. Relaxing on heated marble loungers next to an open fire, the spa is truly the only place in the hotel where guests can forget they are in London.
But throughout the rest of the hotel, from its leaf-lined courtyard to in-house florist, the grand event venues and classical piano bar, there is no mistaking that The Corinthia is located in the heart of London.
And thus, the hard work of appealing to Asian guests has already been done.
Today’s affluent Asian traveller wants to feel the heart of soul of a destination – they want the London of red telephone boxes, black cabs and the Queen’s guards. They want the West End theatres, the National Gallery and William and Kate. They want London in all its traditional finery.
And this is what The Corinthia delivers; a taste of traditional London, backed up with smooth and subtle services. For Asian travellers to London, The Corinthia is sure to tick all the boxes.
BOOK THE CORINTHIA HOTEL LONDON
Phone: +44 20 7930 8181
Email: london@corinthia.com
Web: www.corinthia.com
Amadeus: IA LONCHO
Galileo/Apollo: IA 02129
Sabre: IA 107594
Worldspan: IA LCYCH
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