Entre’Act - 1
Intercontinental London Park Lane is 51 years old, and a lot has changed in that half-century. Admittedly, when it opened in 1975, you would have been looking out at masses of traffic, solid traffic but the view from end suite 316 would have been very similar, looking across at No. 1 Knightsbridge, home of the Duke of Wellington. Turn left, and you could see the famous quadriga, sculpted by Adrian Jones in 1912 as a figure of peace. Looking across, you would have seen the boarded-up former St George's Hospital, which is now The Lanesborough, but the main difference is that below, the road would have been clogged with traffic.
Now, thanks to congestion zone charges and concerted efforts by all to keep traffic away, as is visible here, there's really minimal traffic at some times. It's also noteworthy that cyclists can now get from one side to the other of Hyde Park Corner, not by cycling around but by using traffic lights to take them across.
Girlahead found her suite to be very practical, making use of big windows to look out at the leafy garden of Hyde Park Corner and looking along Knightsbridge. Masses of sockets, good lighting, Jo Loves toiletries by Jo Malone was really very good. The main decoration in the room, by the way, is a just ready for the London season, see below. The fitness centre must also be highlighted. It's on the first floor, 24 hours, and there's lots of the latest equipment in it. Technogym, thank goodness.
This is an established, confident hotel that has to adapt from conventions, delegations to the London season, which is beginning to be in full swing right now. There's a controversy at the moment how many of London's parks are being used temporarily for entertainment and events. And some of the events, certainly the Christmas market, are always held in Hyde Park, in the closest part to London Intercom.
The hotel celebrated its half century last year with massive culinary goings-ons and with such visitors as Graham Jeffrey, who had been opening GM all those years ago. Girlahead, sadly, was not able to be there for that, but she's looking forward to a similar celebration later this year…
