THE LOCATION: A great spot on High Holborn, useful for the City and the West End. Formerly the head office of Pearl Assurance, it is a stunning Edwardian building dating from 1910 – beautifully converted to a hotel in 2000.
THe check-in: Empty at 8pm so it was fast and efficient. I just had time to take in the cavernous and terribly grand columned lobby.
THE ROOM: Fairly conservatively-designed contemporary rooms with all the gadgets and gizmos you would expect: high-speed internet access, desk-high plugs and 40-channel TV with Sony Playstation. The room also had tea and coffee-making facilities, real hangers, a safe, and marble bathroom with twin basins and, in this room, a shower inside the bath. A key-controlled Renaissance Club on the third floor offers a large lounge for evening canapés and a quick getaway breakfast.
THE BUSINESS: 13 meeting rooms, including a Grand Ballroom. The largest takes 435 theatre-style, the smallest is for eight boardroom style. They are spread across the ground floor, first and lower ground floors. Wifi is available in the public areas.
THE RESTAURANT: The Pearl is a real gem. Dripping with giant pearl-draped chandeliers, and with grand marble columns and walls, this is the original banking hall of the former occupier. It has a lounge reminiscent of a decadent boudoir and an intimate private dining room in one corner. It is a beautiful setting in which to dine on Japanese chef Jun Tanaka’s Michelin-starred French cuisine, plus enjoy a selection from 32 of the world’s best wines by the glass. Service was impeccable for a busy Friday evening, the food was sublime and sommelier and maitre’d friendly and efficient. The only downside is no toilets on the premises but a swift walk back over the courtyard to the main part of the hotel.
THE FACILITIES: A small parking area and valet parking offered, two bars, an Asian-inspired day spa offering saunas, steam, massage treatments and a circular, gold- leafed relaxation room. Sadly, the morning we tried to sample the sauna and steam, at 8am, it hadn’t been turned on.
THE check out: Hassle-free and painless. Surprised at the £35 daily valet parking bill.
THE verdict: Impressive for a five-star, helped enormously by the stunning building. Very helpful and friendly staff.
THE DETAILS: 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN. Rates start from £305 a night for a standard room, £360 for a Club room, suites from £430, all exclusive of VAT.
See www.renaissancechancerycourt.co.uk Gillian Upton
