Review: Grande dame Corinthia London

Location: As close to the banks of the Thames as you can get, Corinthia London is a grande dame of the city’s hotel scene. Its address alone is impressive, with the South Bank, London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Whitehall and 10 Downing Street all within easy reach.

First impressions: I’d been to the property many times before, but this was my first experience as an in-house guest. My fleeting past visits meant I knew the service would be good, but this time it was truly impeccable. We were welcomed by ever-gracious doormen and whisked to reception, where my son made a beeline for the concierge desk. He claimed the head concierge’s seat and began pretending to work for the hotel as the kind staff humoured him and played along wonderfully, asking for his recommendations.

This personalised fun and kind service was just a glimpse of what we encountered throughout our stay. The lobby is grand and bright, with a beautiful floral centrepiece at its heart. There’s an infectious buzz here and a sense that something exciting is always afoot, which was proven when fans gathered outside the hotel to catch a glimpse of a very high-profile singer who was taking up residence during our stay. My jaw hit the floor as I entered our enormous two-bedroom suite with epic views of the capital – the City and St Paul’s visible from one window and the London Eye on display from another.