Escapes

FEEL LIKE A QUEEN AT TAJ 51 BUCKINGHAM GATE SUITES AND RESIDENCES AND ST JAMES COURT, A TAJ HOTEL

End of August, Onin.London visited the stunning Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences and St James Court, a Taj hotel. We were there to try the Jubilee Afternoon Tea and review a stay at the beautiful St James Court Hotel. Arriving early I was shown to my suite and happily settled in while waiting for my friend, who was visiting from the USA to arrive.

The rooms were clean and tidy, with not a speck of dirt or thing out of place. Things I always look out for when I’m staying overnight in a hotel. Shortly after my friend arrived, we ventured in the Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites for afternoon tea. Now I had eaten afternoon tea here before (https://onin.london/queen-of-hearts-afternoon-tea-review), so I knew we were going to get nothing but the best. We were instantly amazed at all the details that go into creating the afternoon teas at The Taj, as no detail is spared. From cutlery, plates to delicate pastries. Everything is designed to around the them. We had the Royal Afternoon Tea and it was absolutely lovely. The hotels is currently offering a limited-edition version of its iconic Indian Jasmine Afternoon tea with a menu crafted especially to celebrate the festival of lights. Inspired by the traditional afternoon tea but with its roots firmly in Indian dining culture, guests and visitors to the hotel can indulge in beautifully crafted Diwali themed pastries and delicious savoury treats.

My friend is Coeliac, so can not eat products containing gluten, yet this was not an issue at The Taj .She had her own special gluten free afternoon tea and she was impressed by every pastry and sandwich on her three tiered caked stand.

Prices for the afternoon tea start at £70 per person and for the quality of food and service, it’s definitely worth it.

After enjoying our afternoon tea, we ventured for a short walk before returning to spend the evening playing boxed escape rooms and treating ourselves to a bottle of champagne. Ou overnight stay was exceptional, the bed was comfy, the room incredibly quiet and the added touch of staff bringing a foot spa into the room in the evening was much appreciated. Breakfast the next morning in the Court Yard was equally as nice, though the gluten free options for my friend were a little limited.

As mentioned above, the hotel is currently celebrating Diwali. Diwali is India’s most celebrated annual holiday and falls on the 24th of October 2022. There is no better place to join friends and family to celebrate the festival of lights than at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences and St James Court, a Taj hotel. Taj is offering London’s finest and all-encompassing Diwali celebrations including limited edition menus, sparkling afternoon teas, accommodation offers andcreative family experiences.During the month of October Taj will be offering its Glittering Stays package. The
accommodation offer includes 15% off rooms booked from the 1 st – 31 st October, for stays between 3 rd  – 31 st  Oct 2022. Guests will enjoy an additional 10% discount on food and drinks at the hotel too between 19th – 24th October and they can immerse themselves in traditional Diwali activities with the hotel hostinga range of themed activities perfect for both adults and children. On the evening of Diwali itself, on 24th October will see the hotel’s courtyard be lit up with a private fireworks display taking place to mark the official day of the Festival of Lights.

What is Diwali? Well the festival traditionally sees loved ones coming together to light small candles in clay pots known as Diyas and Taj is offering guests the opportunity to decorate and light their own Diyas this year. The soft glow of these lights traditionally illuminate Rangoli; which is a beautiful and colourful sand / flower art. Families can test out their artistic skills and try their hand at creating their own Rangoli art at Taj. Diwali is a celebration of generosity and the front of house team has specially curated a selection of thoughtful gifts for guests – beautiful hampers filled with handmade Diya’s and traditional sweets also known as ‘mithai’.

The hotel’s restaurant TH@51 will also be serving up a limited edition menu offering
Indian Thalis to celebrate Diwali exploring the enchanting flavours of India with
North, South, East and West regional Thalis.

Dates and times for activities:

Diya Painting – will take place under the canopy in St James Courtyard
Date: 19th October to 24th  October
Time: 1 pm – 2 pm

Rangoli making – will take place under the canopy in St James Courtyard
Date: 19th October to 24 th  October
Time: 3 pm – 4 pm

Diya lighting – will take place in the lobby of St James Court, a Taj Hotel
Date: 19th October to 24 th  October
Time: 4 pm – 5 pm

So what are you waiting for? Treat yourself or your loved ones and visit Taj Hotels now.

Website: https://www.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj/st-james-court-a-taj-hotel-london/restaurants/

Address: 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences,London,SW1E 6AF,United Kingdom