Delights and tasty treats
Packed my trainers but they were never used on my London break writes Bernadette Fallon
Ihaven’t been to a hotel since Covid hit, back in the days when checking in for an overnight break was a nice treat but nothing remarkable. Now it feels as rare as spending the night on Mars. We arrive at the door of London’s Park Plaza to be greeted by a maskwearing man and a hand sanitising unit. You have to show a hotel reservation or room key to access the building, the days of randomly wandering in are over. At reception we’re given an information sheet on the changes made necessary by Covid - new opening hours in the bar, limited numbers for breakfast, mandatory masks and social distancing in all of the public areas. Bedrooms are serviced every third day unless otherwise requested and the spa, swimming pool and gym are closed. I remember the trainers I’ve packed specially for the treadmill and think - who cares about the gym, I’m finally back in a hotel.
Anyway, there’s the option of running in the fresh air, with a local running map available from the concierge desk. And this would be a jog with a view. The hotel is located on Westminster Bridge, overlooking the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, with the River Thames and South Bank spread out on the doorstep.
I’m not even sure why I’m thinking about running. I’m here to sample the Plaza’s special afternoon tea, devised by the hotel’s pastry chefs Domenico Camporeale and Alessandra Labarile – finalists in this summer’s Bake Off: The Professionals. Anyone who watched it will be familiar with the eye- catching Granny Smith Apple and Egg Illusion concoctions, created with creamy compotes, mousses and gels, devised for the competition and now the centrepiece of their luscious afternoon tea. They are served alongside scones with cream, jam and caramel sauce, espresso ‘ martinis’ with tiramisu, Kahlúa, chocolate, coffee and vodka gel and Gianduja, a mix of chocolate shortbread, hazelnut sponge, praline and gianduja cream.
The sumptuous sweet stand follows savouries including gin- marinated Scottish smoked salmon, cucumber sandwiches with mushroom duxelles, posh ham sandwiches, Somerset brie quiche and thick slabs of tasty pork sausage rolls. Running after that? Not a chance!
The tea costs £ 39 per person (£ 49 with a glass of champagne) on offer until 20 December. A child’s version is also available for £ 15.
The view from our table was stunning – floor to ceiling windows
looking out to the river Thames, sunlight lighting up crisp linen tablecloths and glinting on silver cutlery. The ceiling, incidentally, is about 12 storeys high; the tea is served in the Executive Lounge.
Sitting looking out is so much better than running I think to myself, slathering a scone in cream, jam AND caramel sauce. I wash it all down with two pots of Earl Grey, my friend is more adventurous with a pot of white tea with pomegranate and rose, followed by black tea with cherry. Tea is from local tea merchants Drury’s in nearby Covent Garden, champagne is by Mumm and we even get to meet the chefs.
Later I enjoy more stunning views of the river I’m not going to run along, from an 11th floor bedroom overlooking the Thames and Houses of Parliament. Big Ben is wreathed in scaffolding and red lights twinkle from the tops of cranes. It’s a wonderful vista – the London Eye lit up in pink neon along the river, the boats bobbing past, London buses on the bridge. All rooms, we’re told, are completely sanitised for safety and some accessories have been removed. It does feel a bit barer than pre
Clockwise from main: Park Plaza tasty treats; city view; Domenico and Allesandra from Park Plaza Hotel lockdown days, there are no cushions on the couches, and a couple of rather forlorn- looking empty lamp tables. Next morning, I take a walk along the South Bank before breakfast – still not running, but the trainers are coming in useful. There are definite signs of the Covid effect – cafes and shops closed, but it’s not all bad news. Nearby attractions the London Eye, London Aquarium and Shrek’s Adventure are open, though with limited capacity and for pre- booked tickets only – the hotel is also offering a 2- for- 1 ticket promotion. ‘ Open for business’ signs in restaurants, postcard racks placed bravely on pavements, luxury afternoon teas up and running in hotels. It’s great to support them as the country stumbles back onto its feet. Not running yet but walking at least.
Domenico and Alessandra’s Afternoon Tea £ 39 per person/£ 49 with a glass of champagne, £ 15 per child ( under 12) until 20 December. Superior twin room at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge from £ 130; Merlin Entertainment package from £ 151 per night for a family studio room; for more information and booking visit Parkplaza. com or phone + 44 333 400 6112. Bernadette Fallon is a travel writer and publishes her stories on Travellingwell.com
Stunning view – floor to ceiling windows looking out to the River Thames