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August 4, 2022

The Carlton Tower Jumeirah – where heaven really is a place on earth

Having lived in the Middle East for a number of years, I was incredibly excited to be reviewing a Jumeirah Group hotel on home turf. Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts includes Jumeirah at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi; Burj Al Arab Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach Hotel to name but a few. Jumeirah Group also runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah Living; the wellness brand Talise; Jumeirah Restaurants; Wild Wadi Waterpark; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management; and Sirius, its global loyalty programme.
As Beyonce once said, “Who runs the world?” … In my eyes, Jumeirah.

Located in one of the most prestigious neighbourhoods in London, The Carlton Tower Jumeirah is a hop, skip and a step away from Knightsbridge tube station, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, and Sloane Street. The hotel is similarly five minutes away from Hyde Park and a mere few minutes’ walk from London’s world-class attractions such as the V&A and Natural History Museum. And if that’s not enough for you, The Carlton Tower Jumeirah, resides directly opposite the lush Cadogan Gardens, a 14,000ft super private plot that guests have access to throughout their stay. Now how’s that for prime location?

The five-star property originally opened in 1961 as London’s first ‘tower’ hotel and was praised for being the tallest hotel in London at that time. The Carlton Tower was and remains to be, the epitome of glamour: the place to see and be seen and where guests travel from thousands of miles away, to stay in what was, and still is an incredible property.

Following an 18-month closure for refurbishment, the hotel has undergone the most all-encompassing transformation in its history, totalling a cost of over £100 million. No corner remains untouched in the hotel’s transformation and heavens, is it easy to see!

Every corner of the 17-story building has been redesigned, creating a new foyer and reception, 186 bedrooms and suites (previously 216) to provide grander accommodation, an incredible new health club and spa with London’s largest naturally lit swimming pool and not to mention a new lobby bar and restaurant.

Upon checking into the hotel, my eye was immediately drawn to the staff’s rather chic uniform. I say uniform very casually. While the gents dressed in a smart suit, the ladies looked exquisite in light-coloured floral dresses and trouser suits during the day and darker variations during the evening. Think straight out of the New Arrivals section of Ted Baker. (Warning to guests that the staff may upstage your wardrobe and if you missed London Fashion Week, the Al Mare’s restaurant team look as though they’re fresh off the runway).

After being handed my personalised leather room key embossed with my initials (the perfect keepsake) I was to my room by one of the latest team members; Yulie, who had left her hometown in Ukraine less than a month prior and was assisting with recruiting new, additional employees who had much like Yulie, been forced to leave their home. Gracious and courageous are the perfect words to describe Yulie and meeting her made me appreciate my stay that little bit more.

The 186 beautifully appointed rooms have all been modernised to the highest standard and designed to offer a sense of calmness, emphasising the light and space each room has to offer. Unlike many other hotels, a mammoth 50% of their accommodation are suites, which home a beautiful balcony, highlighting the picturesque city skyline. Merging a modernistic design with minimal style, the accommodations present wall panelling, neutral toned soft furnishings and accessories in a warm blue, green & maroon hues with full coverage marble bathrooms featuring toiletries by luxury brand, Grown Alchemist. The king-sized bed was deep and super high and had it’s very own pillow menu, where guests could order their preferred style of pillow for the perfect night sleep. Dyson hairdryers are also provided in every room to help women get ready in the speed of light and it is here, you will find a fluffy pair of slippers to match your room key, that have also been personalised with your initials. Did I fully believe I was living my best life and was Samantha from Sex And The City for a minute? Absolutely. Hotel sex-appeal? 11/10.

After spending a little time unwinding and taking in the beauty of my suite, I headed up to the hotel’s 9th floor, where my favourite facility of the hotel was, The Peak Fitness Club & Spa. Set across three floors and offering 360-degree views of the iconic London skyline, The Peak Fitness Club and Spa has been completely reimagined as the most exclusive private member’s health and wellness clubs in the capital. Offering state of the art facilities including a naturally lit 20m pool (with double – height glass ceilings, might I add), over 70 weekly fitness classes, bespoke TechnoGym equipment as well as access to an expert team of fitness, wellness and beauty specialists offering 11Skin, and Aromatherapy Associates body treatments, The Peak retakes its position at the forefront of London’s luxury wellness world.

All rooms include guest access to use the gym, spa and members’ club lounge, so please, even if the gym is not your thing, head to the pool and relax in a white draped cabana, sip on some tea and grab yourself a bowl of their Middle Eastern dates.

Their flagship restaurant Al Mare is a destination in itself, whether you’re a guest at the hotel or simply looking for an amazing dining destination. Set the scene, deep, dark velvet chairs, elegant and decadent pendant lighting, parquet wooden flooring, dusty rose, pink seating booths and waiting staff that double up as haute couture models in their uber attractive ‘uniform’. The menu, delightful. Offering a variety of dishes, inspired by the French Riviera and Northern Italy. Although some prices may be a little elaborate, each dish was nothing short of perfection. The spicy bluefin tuna & saffron arancini, followed by black truffle rigatoni was *chef’s kiss*.

After one of the best nights sleep – all thanks to my chosen pillow and the cloud / marshmallow like mattress, I took myself down for breakfast and slowly and walked my way over to reception to check out.

Why book The Carlton Tower Jumeirah?
For a lifetime experience & flawless service.

W: Carlton Tower Jumeirah London
A: Cadogan Place, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 9PY, UK
E: Bookings
T: +44 (0)20 7235 1234

Written by Amber Lauren for Luxuria Lifestyle London and International

Instagram / #Luxurialife