The Berkeley

London

London, in addition to being the political capital of the United Kingdom and the seat of the British Commonwealth, is also the world’s most important financial center. Founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, the city has suffered a number of upheavals including the Plague on several occasions. In 1666, a fire destroyed the old St. Paul’s cathedral and 11,000 houses, leaving tens of thousands homeless. The German bombings during the Second World War and more recently, terrorists attacks have caused a great deal of damage although nothing has stopped or even slowed down London’s expansion. In the 19^th century, it was the most heavily populated city in the world. After a long period as the capital of the great colonial British Empire, it now contains more than 50 nationalities speaking about 300 different languages. Its rich history can be seen in its older monuments which exist side by side with contemporary structures. Consisting of a multitude of “villages”, each with its own identity, London is an immense multi-cultural patchwork city with a lively 24-7 atmosphere. From the historic and financial center known as The City to the elegant residential neighborhoods like Chelsea, Kensington, and Notting Hill and other more popular quarters like Spitafields and Whitechapel, where Jack the Ripper stalked in the 19^th century, not to mention the theatre, concert hall, cinema and ready to wear shops of Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus and Leiscester Square, London is a fascinating blend of the unique, the unusual and the eternal.

A true piece of London

Created at the end of the 19^th century, The Berkeley, a victim of its own notoriety, was totally transformed in the 1970s. Its owners had an elegant stone building constructed a few steps from Hyde Park to rehouse this legendary institution. The result was a total success, with its filtered atmosphere, wood panels and moldings, four-poster beds, a spa on the top floor and a swimming pool on the roof. It’s only natural therefore that the Berkeley attracts celebrities in search of peaceful and quiet luxury. The combination of contemporary, classical and Art Déco styles make each of the hotel’s 240 rooms is different from all the others. Some rooms have wood paneling and wallpaper linked to a vividly colored carpet. In others, Louis XV gray is dominant with matching drapery. Still others have classic Scottish or flowered prints, pleated lampshades and mahogany furniture. What all the rooms have in common is comfort and chic opulence, as well as Italian marble bathrooms.

Tradition endures in the area of gastronomy. In the early part of the 20^th century, the restaurants were in the capable hands of César Ritz and Auguste Escoffier. Today, they are in the equally capable hands of two renowned Chefs, David Collins and Pierre Koffmann who offer classic French cuisine at the Koffmann’s restaurant.

Just a few steps from the Berkeley, we find Harrod’s, the legendary luxury department store, as well boutiques bearing names like Versace, Prada, Louboutin or Chanel. The Berkeley is the primary residence for the world of fashion. Another popular spot in the hotel is the Blue Bar with its stunning crocodile print leather floor and blue ostrich skin walls. A Ginger Cosmopolitan is a highly recommended drink, to be enjoyed in the company of people who come here because they feel very much at home.

The Berkeley is Madonna’s favorite hotel and the Blue Bar her favorite bar, and fashion model and actress Mischa Barton has declared that “The Berkeley is my London hotel”.