Only 39 weeks till Christmas…

It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas, and Graham McKenzie reckons he’s found the perfect place to help ease you through the silly season.

“Can you remember back to Christmas shopping? Yes? Perhaps you travelled to London with keen anticipation, a Polar Express experience, with homemade mince pies and a coffee as part of the journey. The sparkle and bonhomie of the yuletide period bursting out like an over decorated Christmas tree. You arrive at the London terminus and the air is full of choral sounds ‘Hark the herald Angels sing’. Now to the retail experience – crowds and crowds of people with exactly the same idea as you. As the day wears on the energy begins to drain away from your legs, your arms and your face. The Christmas spirit is evaporating quicker than a glass of port next to a roaring fire. The kindness and joy to all mankind is wearing as thin as a pair of Santa Claus’s trousers that …well that have worn thin. What do you need?

Just a few short baby reindeer steps from the hallowed retail space of Harrods lays an oasis of calm and relaxation. As soon as you walk through the door the shoulders drop, the frown disappears and the breathing returns to normal. You can imagine walking into your grandmother’s house in the sixties, you can hear the tick tock of a wall clock, and there are no telephones ringing, no children crying, no television. Tranquility base? Yes Sir. The turkey has landed with peace, goodwill and happiness.

The gem is called The Capital. Steeped in all that is good about hospitality, you are immediately met by polite doormen, excellent helpful receptionists and a feeling of stepping back a few years in time. Nothing especially unique about that I hear you say, and I would agree, but the whole tempo, ambience, smell and feel about the place took me to a state of mind that even Paul McKenna would be proud of. It is relaxed, informal, but with enough respect and service to make you feel special. The Capital bar is not huge but, just as its website says, is ‘an intimate space that exudes an aura of sophisticated comfort’. The restaurant downstairs is also quite special with executive chefs turning out such exceptional food that they have been awarded a Michelin star. If you like seafood and fresh fish then this is the place for you.

To enjoy the bar, the food and the genuine geniality you don’t have to stay, but I was lucky enough to have that pleasure. The accommodation matches the rest of the services and is quite excellent. My suite prompted reflections of bygone days, but with 21st century accoutrements. The bathroom was awash with toiletries that had a traditional feel and smell, adjacent to fluffy white towels, the lounge had good quality tea bags rather than just coffee, and the bedroom had heavy curtains to keep London’s noise and pollution out. Such was my peace of mind that I didn’t even check the wi-fi reception!

In the morning I rose late, but it was of no consequence to the staff who served swiftly and efficiently a mandatory hangover cure of two poached eggs, toast and English breakfast tea. I picked up my emails (good wi-fi by the way) and was on my way.

So, all in all, a place not far from the madding crowd but far enough to take you away from the maddening crowd. And remember a hotel is for life, not just for Christmas.”

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