Sofitel St James, London
My weekend at Sofitel St James, an urban oasis in the heart of the West End
The Sofitel has a rich history - the Grade II building was developed in the 1600s as a place for aristocrats to live - and for guests, it feels like a decidedly aristocratic visit. The hotel is found just off Pall Mall in St James, with Piccadilly Circus a three-minute walk in the opposite direction. Needless to say it’s very central, so an array of top London attractions are only a short walk away; including Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, The National Gallery, Soho, Regent Street and all the West End theatres. I was invited to stay for a weekend, as part of my Staycation Series in London.
The Room
Sofitel St James offers 183 spacious, luxury hotel rooms. Yes, expect nothing but the height of luxury at this hotel. The decor is sophisticated; each room features a European feel, with personalised books on the shelf for each different room. The rooms all featuring a view over St James and Pall Mall. All rooms come fully fitted with a funky Smeg kettle, Jing teas and a Nespresso machine. Considering the central location, I was very impressed by the soundproofing - I couldn’t hear any traffic noise at all. The enormous and gorgeously silky beds are second-to-none in terms of comfort.
The aim of of French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon for the decor was to have bold British design as the backbone, but fuse this with the dynamic feel from the 1960s and 70s. This is clear through the striking green, pink and blue rooms (your entire room is based on this one colour scheme), and whimsical pop-art paintings. Interiors are of course a personal choice, and I don’t pretend to be a design specialist. However, I wasn’t too keen on the striking accents, and am still not sure the varying influences gel into place as well as perhaps another would think.
I did love the bathroom, however. Minimalistic, clean, simple - and that Hermes body lotion…
The Sofitel Spa experience
The spa facilities in the dedicated Sofitel Spa suite are a real highlight – they comprise not only a fitness studio, sauna, steam bath, relaxation rooms, but also a multitude of beauty treatments and Hermes skincare products. In between sightseeing and shopping pursuits in this area of town, some R&R time at the on-site spa is a necessity. I was treated to a Hydra-facial, the newest partnership with one of the world’s leading luxury spa brands. This new collaboration offers an array of new treatments for guests looking for the ultimate skin detoxifying and deep cleansing experience in London.
Dining
The Sofitel St James’ main dining option is at Wild Honey. One of the chicest dining spaces in the West End, expect baby blue velvet seating, a gleaming halo chandelier, marbled tables and vibrant artwork. For breakfast, tuck into organic eggs, savoury French Toast, blueberry pancakes and freshly-squeezed juice. For lunch and dinner, you can expect the best of British seasonal produce fused with French cooking. Don’t skip out on dessert - Wild Honey’s Honey tart is SO good. Anthony Demetre helms the space, and although it doesn’t quite replicate Wild Honey’s old home on St George Street premises, it is still a dining destination not to be missed.
The final word
Staff are pleasant and attentive, and they invariably greet visitors with a ‘bonjour’. I liked this touch, although I did find some staff more friendly than others. The Sofitel St James finds the perfect balance between luxurious and cosy, with a laid-back ambience with a stellar location– ideal for couples or families after a wholesome weekend in the big smoke.