Checking In at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel
Just moments away from the hustle and bustle of Trafalgar Square is this five star luxury hotel – one of London’s most historic and cherished buildings.
Housed in an 1830’s Grade II listed building, the exterior and interior hosts nods to both Edwardian and Victorian architecture – elegance exuding from each room. Despite its older origins, the interiors are fresh and modern with vibrant pops of colour and standout art throughout the property.
Check in is swift and comfortable, as the friendly and approachable team are on-hand to take your luggage up to the room for you, giving newbies to the property the perfect excuse to have a snoop around.
The lobby features the hotel’s vibrant artworks and offers plush chairs to sit and relax. Alongside this is the hotel’s main bar – The 40 Elephants. On entrance, the space has a standout, almost art deco style bar and a noteworthy glass chandelier instalment. We decided to indulge in a quick cocktail, because why not, and went for A Clever Club with Tanqueray gin, peach, rose water, citrus, sugar and raspberries. Alongside, we also had the Stolen Ruby with Casamigos Joven Mezcal, Italicus, Champagne, cordial and hibiscus. Both were well mixed and fruity, a vacation away from the miserable weather outside.
On the topic of weather, when it was time to head up to the room, we were pleased to find that we had been upgraded to a Balcony Room which boasted an enormous outdoor balcony through elegant patio doors. This was such a gorgeous space, and I can imagine the perfect spot to enjoy alfresco drinks before and after dinner in the summertime.
The room itself was beautifully decorated, with a huge HDTV which you could angle out of the wall to face the big and inviting bed. Storage space was also cleverly concealed with elegant décor, and the bathroom was sleek and stylish, with a very high-tech toilet – yes, it did have all those buttons and features!
Before freshening up, I decided to check out the hotel gym – it was January after all. I was pleasantly surprised. It was spacious and offered up very new high-spec equipment. It was also empty, a stark contrast to the busy bar upstairs. Clearly, I’m making the wrong life choices.
After a quick and sweaty work out, followed by an indulgent, pampering power shower (they have gorgeous Jo Malone toiletries too), we headed down for dinner. We were fortunate enough to be dining at the cosy, alpine-style restaurant, Ekstedt at The Yard.
The menu and concept were designed by Michelin starred chef Niklas Ekstedt, and inspired by his signature style of wood fired ‘old Nordic’ cooking. Fish are cooked over fire, using Scandinavian cooking techniques and the very best seasonal British ingredients. The open kitchen at the rear of the restaurant is the focal point, adding theatre to the dining experience.
There are two tasting menus to choose from, a three course and a six course. We opted for the three course and enjoyed some snacks from the menu too. On welcome, we had a Baked Flatbread which was decorated with an actual pine branch and came beautifully presented with a juniper butter. Next was the Flamabadou Oyster, of which we were invited into the kitchen to see the process. A metal tool is filled with hot fat, which is then dripped on top of the oyster, in a theatrical manner. The dish is accompanied with beurre blanc, juniper and smoked apple and tasted out of this world.
To start, we both opted for the Charcoal Scallop which was served with a Sandefjord sauce and ruby red vendace roe. The dish was incredibly smoky, with a strong depth of flavour that paralleled nicely to the freshness of the scallop.
The main dish was a real highlight. A perfectly cooked Juniper Smoked Venison was presented with a pumpkin puree, pickled wild garlic capers and a salty and sweet crispy kale. The textures and elements of the dish made it super interesting, and you could cut through the smoky venison with a butter knife.
The dishes aren’t ridiculously substantial, which leaves a nice spot for dessert. We ordered one of each which included Buckwheat Waffles with flambe cloudberry ice cream and papparkakor cookies, and a Spiced Coffee Mousse served with pumpkin ice cream. Both were light and delicate and rounded off the meal perfectly. If it comes within budget, I highly recommend opting for the Volcanic Wine Pairing (£115.00 per person). It’s pricey but worthwhile, each glass matching perfectly with the dishes and served by a knowledgeable sommelier. The dining experience was really standout and something that the hotel is known for.
When ambling up to our room for a cosy night’s rest, we couldn’t help but notice a hidden bar. Curiosity got the better of us and we went in to visit Sibin – an elegant yet relaxed space for evening drinks. Presenting a fresh and inclusive approach to the world of whisky, the carefully curated and ever-evolving collection consists of over one hundred bottles from around the globe. I couldn’t not order an Old Fashioned which was perfection – the kind waiter even wrote the recipe down for me as my home-made ones never taste so good!
Later, when wrapped in the cosy and fluffy robes, the bed swallowed us up and allowed for a quiet and restful night’s sleep. We didn’t manage to squeeze in breakfast, but the check out process was easy and seamless, and we’d certainly recommend the hotel for anyone heading to London to visit a show or to be centrally located in the heart of the city. We’d certainly love to come back and trial that balcony in the summertime too!
In the meantime, it’s worthwhile to visit this week, as the hotel will play host to a special Pisco Masterclass in celebration of National Pisco Sour Day. Supported by the Embassy of Peru in the UK, this immersive event promises an exploration of Peru’s iconic national drink, guided by talented Peruvian mixologist, Giancarlo Nazario. Guests can delve into the world of Pisco by sampling four distinct varieties from award winning brands, each paired with a crafted cocktail and a pure sip of the spirit.
For more information, please visit the website.
