Nina
Boxer at Sherlock Holmes Hotel on
Baker Street. |
Quite Elementary, Really:
Sherlock Holmes Is Cool
By Nina and Tim Boxer
 HERLOCK
HOLMES on Baker Street is a gem of a hotel in Central London,
close to everywhere you’d want to go. First thing we wanted to
do is explore the home base for our week’s sojourn in London.
We
were impressed by the youthfulness of the staff and the vibrancy
of the ambiance. The hotel has a unique personality that seems to
draw some of the city’s smart people for after-work socializing
in the Bar and dinner in the Grill.
Step
in off the busy street and you land in a comfort zone nurtured by
the pleasant bellman at his station on the left and the welcoming
bartender at the right. Yes, you can leave your bag with the
bellman, and make new friends at the Bar.
After
you freshen up with a cocktail, you can pick up a complimentary
apple and newspaper and check in at registration in the rear.
Park
Plaza Hotels Europe purchased Sherlock Holmes from the Hilton
chain. Following extensive renovations and restyling, it was
reopened last year as a luxury boutique hotel with a trendy
interior design.
Under
the direction of Yossi Wircer, the dynamic Park Plaza Hotels
Europe operates 16 four-star hotels and 4 outstanding Artotels in
Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary, Romania, South Africa,
Israel and the UK.
In
London they also own the Victoria Park Plaza and the Bernard Shaw
Park Plaza. They just opened a Park Plaza in Nottingham.
“We’re
building a brand,” said Patrik Wennerland, vice president of
sales and marketing. “It’s like building an airplane in
mid-flight.”
Having
spent a week at the Sherlock Holmes, we can tell you the airplane
is in full flight. It was a wonderful experience, made more
pleasant by a courteous staff and extremely attentive wait staff
in the Grill.
The
hotel is actually two houses over five floors, consisting of 119
air-conditioned rooms that combine tradition with modern comforts,
with two phone lines, satellite television, high speed Internet
access, mini-bar, hair dryer, laptop safes and UK, EU and US power
sockets.
Patrick
Wennerland of Park Plaza
Hotels Europe and Estelle Deerenberg
of Sherlock Holmes Hotel. |
Regular
readings are offered by local writers in the intimate and chic
Executive Lounge. This room, a great place to enjoy afternoon tea,
was also used for a wedding reception. In addition, there are
seven conference rooms for business meetings, plus a health club.
You
won’t want to miss exploring Sherlock Holmes lore up the street.
At 221b Baker Street, probably the world’s most famous address
(next to 10 Downing), you’ll find the Sherlock Holmes Museum.
Holmes
lived in a first-floor apartment. He shared the study with Watson
whose bedroom was on the second floor.
The
souvenir shop on the ground floor is stocked with ceramics,
figures, busts, prints, books, playing cards, T-shirts and
anything else that can be imprinted with a Sherlock Holmes image
or logo. That’s business.
For
more information visit www.sherlockholmeshotel.com.
For reservations go to www.shhres@parkplazahotels.com.
|
