LONDON is one of the most exciting cities in the world at any time of the year. However, at Christmas, a special magical veil falls over the city with many pop-up Christmas markets, ice rinks and sparkling lights and festive store window to gaze in awe at.
It's been a number of years since I visited London and once again, it certainly didn't disappoint. After my Sunday morning flight to London Heathrow, I made my way on the Piccadilly line to Russell Square tube station. A two minute walk and I was at my accommodation for the night – the Kimpton Fitzroy, in the heart of Bloomsbury.
The Grade II-listed building has some interesting historical facts. A blue plaque reveals that Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters Christabel and Sylvia, founders of the Suffragette movement, lived in a house on the site between 1888 and 1893.
It also has a quirky link to HMS Titanic. Formerly known as The Hotel Russell was designed in 1898 by English architect Charles Fitzroy Doll, who also designed the Titanic's dining room, basing it on an almost identical replica of the hotel's restaurant. Now used as the hotel's breakfast room and fine dining seafood restaurant, Neptune, it still contains a number of original features.
It is also believed that a number of guests setting sail on the Titanic even stayed at the hotel the night before making their way to Southampton and setting sail.
Re-opened in April 2018 after a £85 million makeover, the hotel's interior – especially its marble lobby – is just as impressive as the exterior which is clad in Doulton thè-au-lait terracotta, depicting Queen's Elizabeth I, Mary I, Mary II and Anne.
The 334-bed hotel's design is classic whilst offering modern comforts such as digitally controlled lighting, nespresso machines, Netflix, free wi-fi, a 24-hour gym, even free Raleigh bike hire and dog beds for four-legged visitors.
I was meeting my niece, who lives in England, and what better way to catch up than over tea? For those tired of the usual festive treats of mince pies and yule log, Kimpton Ftizroy have come up with something different with their Do You Like Chocolate? afternoon tea.
Served in their cocktail bar, Fitz's, its vibe is jazzy 1920s glamour, with plumes of ostrich feathers, quirky antiques and a large disco ball. The decadent afternoon tea celebrates the cultural history of chocolate, specially designed by celebrated pastry chef, Thibault Marchand, winner of Bake Off: The Professionals 2019 and artfully paired with equally inventive chocolate-infused cocktails.
After being offered our choice of loose leaf tea, our afternoon tea experience took its chocolate twist: white, milk and dark chocolates were stylishly served on ice in-between our courses of sandwiches, scones and sweet treats.
The dainty sandwiches included smoked trout with fennel and apple on beetroot bread, carrot with star anise and wood sorrel on white bread, goat’s curd with fig mustard on onion bread, and my favourite, Tandoori chicken. Plain and chocolate scones, were served with Cornish clotted cream, blueberry jam and passion fruit curd.
The sweet show pieces included a Tonka bean, lime and Kalingo (65 per cent cocoa) choux, a Macae (62 per cent) and blackcurrant Petit Gâteau, a sweet passion fruit, mango, Bahibé (46 per cent) and Tainori (64 per cent) layered cake, and a Orelys (35 per cent) coffee tart.
Non-alcoholic, gluten free and vegan options are available. I was served the gluten-free alternatives which, unusually, were almost identical to the main menu.
Complementing the sweet flavours of the pastries, was my favourite tipple – a cherry brandy cocktail infused with a sweeter milk chocolate, Bahibé, accompanied by cherry wine, cherry wood and cherry blossom. The drink tells the story of the accidental invention of chocolate by the then unsuccessful confectioner Rodolphe Lindt in Bern, Switzerland.
Filled to the brim with chocolate, it was tempting to retreat to my room and try out the four poster bed: but no, we were in London, and there was more fun to be had.
Our next stop was Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. The huge mix of funfair rides, ice rink, theatre shows and Bavarian market is free entry, but its activities do require a hefty bank balance – and your money is made all the easier to spend as most rides and stalls accept contactless payment.
New for this year is Paddington On Ice, which skated in from Europa Park, Germany's largest theme park, featuring award-winning international figure skaters, stunning costumes and the lovable bear.
We also pulled on our hat and gloves to enter The Magical Ice Kingdom, which features 500 tonnes of snow and ice kept at a temperature of -10C. The theme this year was the story of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, and you couldn't help but admire the intricate details of sculptures of the likes of Tiny Tim and Ebenezer Scrooge.
Next morning, after a delightful cooked breakfast, it was time to hit the shops with an obligatory visit to my favourites – Hamley's (to buy presents for the kids, of course) and Selfridges, where the window displays this year take a futuristic fairytale twist with Santa being given a silver metallic makeover.
FACTFILE
:: Jenny Lee stayed at the Kimpton Fitzroy, Russell Square, London. Kimptonfitzroylondon.co.uk.
:: Do You Like Chocolate? is served in Fitz’s Bar, priced at £65 per person (£45 per person for the non-alcoholic option), Thursday to Sunday, from 12 to 3pm.
:: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland continues until January 5, from 10am to 10pm. Hydeparkwinterwonderland.com.
:: For full information on attractions, shopping and festive events in London see Visitlondon.com.
