Quintessentially English, warm & friendly

The moment I walked into the panelled entrance hall of Durrants Hotel, I relaxed. The quiet calm of the lobby and efficient, friendly staff immediately put me at ease and I felt as if I had been transported to a Gentleman’s Club or country house hotel. And, yet, Durrants a 4-star hotel located in a discreet Georgian townhouse, is smack in the middle of London’s West End, with Marylebone High Street, Baker Street and Oxford Street on its doorstep.

Established as a hotel in 1790, Durrants has been owned by the Miller family since 1921 and is one of the last privately owned hotels in London. Its quintessentially English décor, antiques scattered throughout and 18th Century origins definitely sets it apart from the modern chains. A walk through the pine-and-mahogany-panelled public rooms is like stepping back in time to an era of old world gentility, yet, as you would expect from a 21st Century hotel, it offers the modern technology and conveniences required in its 92 bedrooms and 5 meeting and conference rooms.

Welcoming & friendly – perfect for women travelling alone

Initially I thought that Durrants was a very masculine hotel, but after chatting to a number of lone female business travellers (accosted by me in the lift and the bar), it is apparent that women travelling alone also love staying here. One regular business traveller from Ireland told me that it was her favourite London hotel “It’s a great place for a woman travelling on business” she said, “the staff make me feel very welcome and comfortable and unlike some hotels, I don’t feel intimidated if I want a drink in the bar or eat alone in the restaurant”. Another said, “After a hard days work, Durrants is a wonderful refuge, it’s comfortable, quiet and I feel safe. It’s a great place to relax, the staff really look after you and I highly recommend it for women travelling alone”.

Handmade Savoir beds aid a good night’s sleep

All the bedrooms are furnished comfortably with classic English fabrics, many with antique furniture and all with wide screen televisions, internet access and handmade Savoir beds, which gave me a very good night’s sleep. I stayed in a double, which I felt was on the small side, but I guess that’s usual for London hotels. I would recommend when booking that you request a room on the third floor - which are bigger - with air conditioning (as not all rooms have this). As well as singles, doubles and junior suites, there are 4 suites which include a private sitting room furnished with sofas and armchairs and antique furniture. Bathrooms are mainly marble with great shower pressure, lovely soft white cotton towels and Roger & Gallet toiletries. Room rates range from Economy single rooms at £125 to £357 for a suite. Do check the web site www.durrantshotel.co.uk for special offers.

Traditional menu

Following a drink in The George Bar, a cosy and warm space with coal fire and black iron grate, I sat down to dinner in The Grill Room, furnished with crystal chandelier wall lights, leather seating and oil portraits lining the oak panelling. The menu is traditional, steamed asparagus; Scottish smoked salmon; pate for starters and McDuff fillet steak; Dover sole; rack of lamb and pan seared calves liver for main courses, followed by summer pudding, crème brulee, chocolate terrine and cheese.

The seared scallops melted in my mouth and were served with a fennel and apple salad, a combination I hadn’t tried before and highly recommend. Absolutely delicious. The rack of lamb was served pink, just as I like it with celeriac gratin and sweet carrot puree, a desert of summer pudding completed my meal. The wine list is respectable and I left the wine choice to the maître d’. his recommendation suited my pallet and my meal very well. A la Care prices range from £6.50 - £12.50 for starters, £14.50 - £29 main courses and £5.95 - £8.50 for desserts. There’s also two and three course set menus at £19.50 and £22.50 respectively.

Excellent for small meetings & conferences, parties, banqueting & private dining.

For meetings, conferences and special occasions, Durrants is a hidden gem, regularly used by Chairmen and MDs, Ex-Prime Ministers and celebrities who don’t want to shout about their presence.

I would particularly recommend Durrants for meetings and small conferences, private dining, cocktail parties and banqueting or for special occasions such as parties and receptions. Or, if you have a sudden requirement for a short meeting, rooms can be hired by the hour.

The Amfield Room is perfect for small intimate dinners for 6 or meetings for 10 people, boardroom style. Or there’s the Wallace room, so called because the fabulous Wallace Collection famous for its 18th Century paintings, is situated opposite the hotel.

For up to 18 guests, there’s the light and airy, recently refurbished Spy Room, with its walls adorned with illustrations by the artist of the same name and includes a bar area.

Larger events of up to 100 people are catered for in the Oak and Regatta Rooms and are fully equipped with state of the art technology. These rooms are particularly popular for special occasions, banqueting, board meetings and awards ceremonies.

If you are searching for venues at the moment to hold your corporate Christmas party (yes, it’s that time of year again!), Durrants offers the perfect setting. I am told when the traditional meal is served, the turkey is brought to the table and carved with great theatre, in front of the guests who love the pomp and circumstance and atmosphere of the occasion.

Daily room charges for meetings and conferences range from £450 (up to 10 guests in The Wallace Room) to £595 (up to 46 guests in The Regatta room) or, for shorter meetings at £99 per hour.

Room hire charges for private lunches, dinners and cocktail parties range from £175 to £250.

There is a comprehensive choice of menus for working lunches, buffets, canapés, private dining lunch and dinners and banqueting.