Conrad London St. James
Stepping into Conrad London St. James, it’s impossible to imagine there are 256 spacious guest rooms and suites tucked inside. Flooded in natural light, the angular lobby lends a boutique feel that carries through to the rest of the recently refurbished public spaces to make for an instantly appealing pet- and family-friendly hotel.
After an exemplary warm welcome, you’re greeted by a large bronze sculpture of a man scaling a ladder, carrying the weight of the Palace of Westminster on one shoulder. It’s one of many visual nods to the hotel’s rich historical roots and location in London’s political heart, Westminster. The wrought-iron stair railings curling around and down to the lower ground, to meeting rooms and a 24-hour fitness area, are another. They are the same ones suffragette Emily Wilding Davison chained herself to while protesting for women’s rights.
Long before it became the Conrad hotel, it was the Queen Anne’s Chambers, where wartime deals were struck and treaties were signed, and political figures linked to the nearby House of Commons congregated, until the division bells rang to beckon them back, with just eight minutes left to vote.
There’s much to feed the mind at this London hotel. So, too, the stomach. With four areas to dine and drink, there’s plenty to satiate throughout your stay.
- The Conrad offers an excellent location for exploring London’s iconic sites on foot. Turn right out of the hotel and you’ll see Westminster Abbey, head left and you’ll reach Buckingham Palace and straight ahead, there’s St. James’s Park and The Mall. A stone’s throw opposite, St. James’s Park Underground Station whisks you directly to Wimbledon, Notting Hill and King’s Cross.
- Rooms and suites share the same restful natural tones and simple, sleek décor. The main difference between the categories is size (except for the top-tier Conrad Suite). All have abundant natural light and either a city street or rooftop view. The beds are fit for a king — the same mattresses are used in Buckingham Palace. The full-sized Byredo amenities in the marble bathroom add another indulgent touch.
- Guests in Executive Suites and above, and Hilton Honors Diamond Elite members, have access to the Executive Lounge, serving up complimentary breakfast and afternoon tea through the day and drinks in the evening. The two private shower rooms, equipped with towels and amenities, are perfect for early arrivals to drop off their luggage, freshen up and head out to explore.
- Contemporary art lovers will relish the myriad of specially commissioned works dotted throughout the London hotel. They range from the aesthetically pleasing (such as the piece that literally winks at you as you enter The Orchard Room) to the boldly political (like Evil Robots’ House of Commons reimagined through 150 iconic characters from popular culture, ranging from Batman to Buzz Lightyear, which will entertain the whole family). Pick up a copy of the art brochure from reception to learn more.
- Little ones will feel welcome at the Conrad St. James, with inclusive rollaway beds sweetly set up with London-bus-print duvet sets, a basket of London storybooks and toys and edible creations by the pastry chef that’ll put a smile on everyone’s face. Children younger than 18 stay here for free, while those under 12 can fuel up on complimentary breakfast.
- Overseeing the luxury hotel’s food and beverage offering is British chef Sally Abé, whose impressive culinary background includes The Savoy, Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s and critically acclaimed London pub Harwood Arms. A true champion of British ingredients, Abé’s mission to leave diners “happy and full” is achieved, from bar snacks to full-blown tasting menus, offering refined, playful twists on British classics.
- The star of the show is fine-dining restaurant The Pem, named after and inspired by suffragette Emily Wilding Davison (aka Pem). Here, within the sumptuous scarlet velvet and monochrome art-deco-inspired setting, the eyes and palate will be delighted by the season’s bounty. The “Knife and Fork Bacon” is highly recommended.
- At family-friendly Blue Boar Pub, where an original division bell hangs among cartoonist Gerald Scarfe’s caricatures of former British prime ministers, dishes like beer-battered Cornish cod and traditional Sunday roast dinners, together with local craft beers and English wines, have been attracting a lot of attention.
- For pre-dinner drinks and nightcaps, accompanied by delicious bar snacks, slip into one of the pink velvet armchairs of The Hedgerow. Cocktails are shaken and stirred using floral and herby botanicals and fruits plucked from the British countryside.
- Afternoon tea is served Wednesday to Sunday in The Orchard Room, with tiers of savory and sweet treats as pretty as the Instagrammable wall of dried hydrangeas. With a dedicated children’s menu, you can make it a family affair.
24-hour room service 
Babysitting services
Bar
Gym
Meeting rooms
Pet friendly
Restaurants
