Steeped in authentic British charm, this hotel offers a sophisticated stay in Marylebone, overlooking Portman Square Garden. Given the hive of activity around Selfridge’s on Oxford Street, it’s hard to imagine that the serene calm of Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill – can exist just a few minutes’ walk away: a comforting retreat from your day of work, shopping, gallery visits or sightseeing. Step inside its semi-brutalist exterior and you’ll discover that it hides a sleek and spacious interior, adorned with chandeliers and marble pillars. Nothing too overstated, nothing too ‘bling’: the design team seem to have got it ‘just right’. This is laid-back luxury at its best.
For such a large hotel, The Churchill somehow retains a sense of relaxed cosiness. It has 440 rooms in total, including 50 suites, 273 king and 90 twin rooms, mostly furnished in a quintessentially British style, inspired by Sir Winston Churchill and aesthetically approved by his family. The Churchill places art and design at its heart: there is a grand regency feel as soon as you step through the door, contrasting seamlessly with glamorous and intimate settings such as The Churchill Bar & Terrace, where a lounge-style, art deco bar area and velvet booth seating are placed alongside original photographs of Churchill and his wife, as well as their wonderful love letters. Throughout the hotel you’ll find prints of Churchill’s (he was a skilled and passionate watercolourist) own paintings, as well as an evolving curation of artworks chosen by the nearby Thompson Gallery.
For dining, The Churchill’s main restaurant, The Montagu Kitchen & Lounge, is a contemporary and relaxed British all-day destination, inspired by seasonal produce and carefully sourced ingredients. From guinea fowl to whole Dover sole, excellent meat and exquisite vegetarian options, The Montagu has an unpretentious attitude, while aiming to present each ingredient at its finest. The Montagu is also where you’ll find an impressive breakfast, catering to its international clientele with not only the expected full English and Continental choices, plus fresh fruits and juices, but also Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes, such as halloumi in a rich tomato sauce (a perfect accompaniment to eggs) and even Foul Mudammas, a Lebanese or Egyptian dish of stewed fava beans. Other on-site dining options include Locanda Locatelli, featuring a menu of Italian-inspired cuisine including homemade pasta, roasted monkfish, and more – all of which has earned chef Giorgio Locatelli a Michelin star.
For your pre-dinner tipple at the award-winning Churchill Bar & Terrace might, enjoy cocktails with a conscience, as you explore their new sustainably focused cocktail menu. This features 12 innovatively curated cocktails, each inspired by 10 themes of environmental concern, ranging from forest protection and renewable energy to wildlife conservation. Try the ‘Be Hive’, which is made with Inverocche Amber Gin, Pollen, Hibiscus Mead and Local Honey, and is served in a unique reusable cup made entirely from beeswax, which is later melted down to be crafted into a new one.
With iconic London views, exclusive benefits can also be enjoyed in the two Regency Club Lounges, dedicated to business travellers and families. All guests staying in Regency Club rooms and suites can take advantage of all-day complimentary snacks and refreshments, shower facilities and meeting room access; an additional touch here is the ‘cocktail hour’ of evening drinks and canapés, taking place daily from 5:30pm, and allowing guests to mingle with other clients, or to chill out solo with a glass of bubbly before dinner.
For those who, despite all these tempting indulgences, like to keep active, The Churchill’s Fitness Centre is furnished with state-of-the-art equipment, ranging from treadmills, bikes and cross-trainers to free weights. If you want to get out into the fresh air, guests can enjoy exclusive access to the Portman Square Garden tennis court. In recent and exciting news, the hotel will also soon be opening its brand-new Wellness Centre, which will feature a sauna, treatments, and a hair salon.
The Churchill is a wonderful oasis of calm where you can escape the frantic streets of Central London. Everything on your doorstep…but no need to leave at all.
Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill
30 Portman Square, London W1H 7BH www.hyatt.com
Tani Burns
