Business as usual and business done well: we review the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill

 

 

We stayed  

 

In one of the King Bed Garden View rooms. As the name suggest, there was a king-sized bed with comfy sheets (always welcome), a generous shower (never wrong) and lovely views. 

 

 

These rooms are distinctly business-y with natural hues and a reading desk, and give access to the Regency Club Lounge (have your breakfast here for some added privacy). 

 

If you want something swankier for your top client, you can splash out on the Royal Suite, which is not business-styled at all. Replace natural hues with dramatic 19th century patterns, handsome Victorian furniture and stately ornamentation. There is a kitchen and dining room here private in-suite dining anyone? 

 

Alternatively, go for the slightly more modern suites on offer, which are all generous in space, scattered with Churchill-themed art and beefed up with richly textured furniture.   

 

 

In the hotel’s in-house restaurant The Montagu Kitchen. The newly revitalised restaurant on the ground floor is inspired by Churchill’s former residence, The National Trust’s Chartwell House and Garden in Kent, both in its food offering and interiors. 

 

 

Focusing on seasonal British food, highlighting ingredients found in the gardens at Chartwell, the menu changes quarterly. From the autumn menu, we started with the rabbit loin roulade with caramelised figs, chestnut purée and National Trust cider apple jelly – autumn on a plate. We should perhaps have gone with the signature Chartwell Garden salad, complete with a Clawson Blue Stilton dressing – we’ll have to save that for next time. 

 

The guinea fowl breasts that followed was nice and autumnal too, with nicely flavoured baked butternut squash, salty wilted spinach, a deep red wine sauce and crispy skin (yum). The rib eye was also a great choice – it was one of the most tender meat we’d had for ages and perfectly pink. 

 

The meal was complete with getting to pick your favourite puddings from the dessert trolley, wheeled around the restaurant to great theatrical effect. Trust us, you should go for the signature apple pie – lovely, warm and sweet with ice cream.     

 

 

Nice touches such as starting off the meal with one of the signature cocktails (inspired by the fruits and berries found at Chartwell as well as flavours enjoyed by Churchill’s wife Clementine) make the experience special. 

 

If you want to crank it up a notch, you can also head over to the hotel’s Italian fine dining restaurant, Locanda Locatelli (headed up by Michelin-starred Giorgio Locatelli). 

 

We drank  

 

In the luxurious The Churchill Bar and Terrace. You really cannot visit Hyatt Regency London without stopping by here. The outdoor terrace is heaving all year round, much due to the seasonally themed decorations, great cocktails and outdoor heaters for the colder months. 

 

 

In the summer, the terrace took on a nautical theme (based on Churchill’s navy career), but for the winter months, the bar has been transformed to a Scottish Highlands Hideaway. It’s tartan galore, faux fur throws and pine trees – nice. Make sure to get a cheeky selfie with the life-size brass statue of Sir Winston, which sits happily in one of the chairs outside. 

 

The cocktails are naturally evolved around Churchill’s daily drink (whisky – Jhonnie Walker in particular) and are presented in both classic and creative ways. Our favourite was The Taste of Islay – an aperitif-style cocktail presented with the five main flavour profiles of sweet, bitter, salty, sour and unami. It’s exciting, immersive and adventurous!        

 

 

 

 

We liked  

 

How the spirit of Churchill lives in every detail and aspect of the hotel– without being gimmicky, mind. It creates a strong, recognisable and relatable brand. 

 

Churchill’s personal memorabilia, artwork, artefacts and documents are featured throughout the hotel, and his life, interests and hobbies are at the essence of all food and drink. What’s more, the interiors of Montagu Kitchen feature Champ de Fleur upholstery on the dining chairs, helping to reinterpret Chartwell Gardens.

 

We also love the balance between business and leisure the hotel manages to strike. The impressive event spaces work well for big gatherings such as weddings, corporate dos and receptions with top-notch audiovisual equipment. There are also a range of boardrooms and smaller reception spaces up for grabs. 

 

 

But although the MICE offering is distinctly corporate, the overall feel of the hotel is leisurely luxury. The design does its part, but more so the food and drink available – and the story of course.  

 

Would Mr Churchill approve? We think so. 

 

Details 

 

 

 

Looking for other ways to treat your client? What about sending them a hamper - read our recommendations here