Home / Articles / DIPLOMATIC CONCIERGE: After an 18-month absence, Venetia van Kuffeler returns to famed diplomatic gathering place, the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill
DIPLOMATIC CONCIERGE: After an 18-month absence, Venetia van Kuffeler returns to famed diplomatic gathering place, the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill
During the past 15 years with Diplomat magazine, I've observed that members of the diplomatic community return to one London hotel year after year, namely Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill. Conveniently tucked away in Marylebone, Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill is located in leafy Portman Square in the heart of London's West End. With 440 guestrooms, including 50 suites, the hotel offers a full range of services tailored to serve the needs of business travellers, with great facilities
and well-practiced staff for visiting delegations and Heads of State.
After almost 18 months at home, it was a treat to return to The Churchill as it's fondly known. During lockdown the hotel has been given a refresh, including renovations to the lobby area and their major Churchill Residential Suite, not to mention the introduction of new rooms and suites aimed at families.
My home for the night was a chic 58 square metre regency executive suite on the third floor, an L-shaped space that wrapped around the corner of the building. Beautiful views of the greenery of Portman Square gardens added some light relief on a boiling June day. The separate sitting area provided a comfortable place to relax and catch up on the latest 24-hour news cycle, and the large desk meant I could get some work done in blissful peace and quiet. The bedroom and ensuite were hidden away behind double doors, which meant the space (plus second guest bathroom) would have been appropriate for a small private meeting if needed.
The Churchill is the perfect business hotel, but with some great food and beverage destinations to entertain clients or enjoy yourself. Guests can indulge in a craft cocktail on the terrace at The Churchill Bar, or seasonal British dishes at The Montagu Kitchen including Devon crab and Whitstable oysters. The building also houses Michelin-starred Italian fine dining restaurant Locanda Locatelli, for those looking for a more serious gastronomic experience.
The past year has provided an opportunity for the hotel to launch an extensive set of brand-new events spaces, ready to welcome back national day celebrations, vins d'honneur and corporate events. The Churchill used the lockdown period to carry out a planned renovation of six existing events spaces, and the complete build of one brand new venue to cater to any kind of event. Each area has its own personality, intended to excite and inspire guests, with nods to Sir Winston Churchill's own life, the man to whom the hotel pays homage. The hotel has worked with Catherine and Randolph Churchill (Churchill's great grandson) from Churchill Heritage, who have curated all the artworks for the spaces. Through artwork, photographs, and books, the spaces tell the story of Churchill's leisure and work life, his travels, passions, and achievements as a statesman, while the interior design lends a touch of glamour and individuality to any event.
With the health pandemic far from over, the hotel has some strict COVID protocols in place: hand gel on arrival, masks when standing up in public areas, and the standard social distancing etiquette. Crucially, The Churchill has achieved the GBAC (Global Biorisk Advisory Council) STAR™ facility accreditation for outbreak prevention, response and recovery. This accreditation has been achieved as part of Hyatt's Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment, which builds on already rigorous safety and cleanliness protocols across all Hyatt hotels. Check-in was effortlessly quick and efficient, and I checked out from my laptop, minimising any unnecessary interaction. There's no wonder that diplomatic business has returned to the hotel in droves.
Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, 30 Portman Square, London W1H 7BH
2021 July AugustDiplomatic ConciergeHyatt Regency London - The ChurchillLondonLondon Hotels
Gervase@aumitpartners.co.uk
The Montagu Kitchen, at the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill
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