St James is one of my favourite London areas, it’s one of the most traditional and is home to some really stylish restaurants and independent stores. The Sofitel London St James is perfectly in keeping with this elegant vibe. Located on Waterloo Place, it’s a stone’s throw from the shopping in Regent Street and our favorite London green space, St James’s Park. Why not enjoy a London staycation and experience the Sofitel London St James for yourselves.
First Impressions of The Sofitel London St James
The elegant stone facade of this Grade II listed building cuts an imposing figure. The building used to house the Cox and King’s bank and was completed in 1923. These days, this five star hotel is part of the international Accor group. I recently had the pleasure to experience a tour of some of their London properties as well as their chic MGallery Windsor.
The lobby is very spacious, with a double-height ceiling. We checked in quickly and headed to our Premium Luxury room.
Accommodation at The Sofitel London St James
Our sizeable bedroom had a fantastic view towards the Institute of Directors, a beautiful 19th century edifice designed by John Nash.
It was well equipped with a safe, tea and coffee making facilities, the obligatory flat screen TV and complimentary WiFi. The black and white bathroom was very stylish and had a separate bath and fantastic rain shower. I enjoyed padding around in the cosy slippers and bathrobe provided. The Hermés toiletries smelt divine.
The beds are extremely comfy, thanks to a padded topper and there is a handy seating area. Our only suggestion for the bedroom would be to introduce more of the quirkiness that you can find elsewhere in the hotel, or some colour from a contrasting throw.
Extra touches at The Sofitel London St James
We savoured some delicious homemade chocolate truffles, which highlight the skill of the hotel chefs.
Facilities at The Sofitel London St James
The very stylish So SPA is the place to come when you’re looking for some pampering. It specializes in treatments by the luxurious French brands Carita and Cinq Mondes.
We were also impressed with the So Fit 24 hour gym, that has Techno-gym equipment and an unusual multi-sensory relaxation bed, AlphaSphere by Sha. We couldn’t get it to work but I’ve been on it previously and found the combination of changing colours and massage movements to be very relaxing.
The Rose Room, on the ground floor of the hotel, is a glamorous place in which to enjoy afternoon tea and to listen to the harpist playing. If you’re lucky, you’ll get the real one rather than an impostor in a pink dress 😉
Dining at The Sofitel London St James
Wild Honey is one of those places that manages to successfully blend traditional and contemporary design.
It’s an all day dining room, open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. The double-height windows give you a great view over Waterloo Place and Pall Mall.
We started off with a glass of chilled champagne, served in very smart glasses.
Of course I couldn’t resist climbing up the stairs to the top of the balcony!
My starter was a tantalizing mix of unctuous goat’s curd, fig, marcona almonds and pomegranate honey, serve with your choice of Bayonne ham or melon. I went for the melon and it worked perfectly with the rest of the dish. It’s always a pleasure to enjoy fresh figs when they’re in season.
Paul tucked into the seared foie gras served with pak choy, coconut, black garlic and oyster sauce – it was a heady combination.
For our mains, I sampled an unusual Arctic char fillet with cauliflower, white beans, turmeric, dill and coconut salad. I’d never tried this fish before but it’s a tasty member of the salmon family.
Paul loved his Grilled Longhorn sirloin with a rich oxtail jus, smoked mashed potatoes, wild garlic and bone marrow butter. For dessert, I chose the chocolate mousse with salted caramel, popcorn and mandarin segments.
I really liked this although for me the popcorn was superfluous. Paul’s pineapple upside down sponge served with szechuan pineapple, creme de cacao caramel and a refreshing yuzu sorbet was equally scrumptious.
Breakfast at The Sofitel London St James
The next day we feasted on the huge spread of pastries, cooked dishes and cereals on offer. I liked the fact that it’s spread over several different areas, thus avoiding any queues.
There’s a clever healthy eating station where you can fill up on vegetables, salad and fruit for a guilt-free start to the day. We also tried the cooked dishes, I had a superb kedgeree whilst Paul had his usual full English. It was a lovely finish to our staycation and really set us up for the day.
For the perfect blend of old and new in a really central location, you can’t beat Sofitel London St James.
Are you a fan of staycations?
Sofitel London St James, 6 Waterloo Place, London SW1Y 4AN
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I adore staycations as they really give you a chance to enjoy such a lovely stay!
That’s so true and it’s a great opportunity to really switch off which I rarely do at home!
Everything looks wonderful! I think that I’d enjoy staycations in London because it’s so happening but it’s a bit different in Luxembourg, where I prefer to be at home. Have a great weekend!
It’s quite handy in London, we went for an after-dinner wander around Piccadilly Circus and it’s so buzzing at night
How luxurious! So many gorgeous amenities and decorations. The food looks so yummy.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
I agree, the decor is really stylish and the amenities were excellent
I really love the Rose Room at the Sofitel.
It’s so feminine isn’t it!
One of my favorite luxury hotels in London! If you haven’t already, you really should have tea in the Rose Lounge… it’s so yummy. I did it around the Christmas holidays and it was very festive. They had a mini buche de noels!
I’ve never actually had tea there, thanks for the tip Lauren! The Christmas one sounds fantastic
Wow! Typical London. Luxurious but great taste at the same time. Oh, and that food….
It really does fit well in London, although there is some Gallic flair to it as Sofitel are part of the Accor French group
I love staycations..especially in such a beautiful hotel! The spa area and dining rooms look very nice. The food seems delicious as well.
I’ve been to the spa before and it’s so luxurious and intimate. The food really was tasty!
So luxurious!!! Great place and the food looks delicious!
Kisses, Paola.
Expressyourself
My Facebook
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It was very luxurious in ambiance, Paola! Have a great Sunday
I’ve hosted a couple of events at the IoD before for work, but never realised the hotel opposite! That foie gras looks divine! xx
The IoD really is beautiful, we had a great view of it from our room! The food was a treat
This place looks so amazing, you really live the life
xo
www.laurajaneatelier.com
I’m very lucky, Laura! Although I enjoy the simple pleasures too
I feel like we’ve been spoilt with gorgeous London hotels recently but this really is stunning. Love the St James area!
Elle
www.theellenextdoor.com
xx
That’s so true, Ellie, we were very spoilt. This one is a real fave, so well located as you say
Just reading what you ordered makes my mouth water nevermind, the pictures.
Fantastic photos.
XoXo Noma
That’s very kind, thank you Noma and have a great weekend!
That food looks amazing! What a lovely addition to the London scene.
It was so delicious, definitely worth trying, Eppie
What fantastic views from your bedroom! I think I would feel right at home in the Rose room enjoying the sounds of the harpist in the background
Greetings from Bergamo Maggie – am sure you’d love the Rose room
Absolutely marvellous staycation Suze. The food also looks very delectable, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from there. I just love these photos as well.
FASHION TALES
I’d happily move in too, Madison!
Oh wow, that looks like a fabulous hotel and you had quite the amazing experience with your stay. And hermes toiletries? Holy cow…
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
Yes the toiletries were lovely, and the whole stay was great fun
I seriously feel so hungry now, it is not the best time to see all these delicious food and homemade truffles! You look absolutely gorgeous in your fuchsia dress, pink really suits you! Also the relaxation bed sounds amazing!
Ela BellaWorld
That’s very sweet, thanks Ela! Hope your week is going well
Fantastic and delicious. What a wonderful place to stay. The food looks delicious and so beautifully presented, and so did the chocolate truffles up in the room. It’s a neighbourhood of London I don’t know, but think I should get to know on my next visit.
Let me know when you’re next over, Rhonda as it would be lovely to have a coffee – or tea!
What a beautiful hotel. Both the dining room and gym look very impressive – I especially love the introduction of nature into the gym area! Every small detail truly does look perfect.
Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice x
They did a fantastic job with the gym, I must say
Staycations are so fun! I love this idea- and what a pretty hotel!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Isn’t it just gorgeous, Ashley! Have a wonderful weekend
Looks like a super staycation, what a beautiful hotel 🙂 thanks for sharing
Camille xo
www.cococami.blogspot.co.uk
My pleasure Camille, have a lovely weekend
Looks like a lovely staycation! I once had tea in the Rose lounge and thought the venue was just charming. isn’t the harpist just the loveliest touch?!
I love the harp and had fun playing it too!
It was fantastic – greetings from Bergamo!
I enjoyed reading your review. Plus, you look amazing in your pink dress.
– Elise xo
www.thewaterwanderer.com
Oh that’s so kind, thanks Elise – have a great weekend!
I’ve stayed here and loved my room and location! It’s so close to my favorite chocolate shop on Wardour as well as across from St. James’s Park to work off said chocolates. The breakfast buffet was fantastic – the bread table was a carb lovers dream (more workouts in the park!). Great photos and looks like you had fun. The shower and Hermes toiletries as well as the So Bed were favs
perfect! I had afternoon tea here in the Rose room three years ago:)
So glad you loved the straightener! As always lovely pictures of what looks like an amazing trip, loving your dress btw!
ISA Professional