London’s Calling: This Hotel is the Perfect City Break for First-Time Visitors

Looking for the best spot to stay in London? Look no further than The Clermont, your elegant escape right in the centre of it all.

Written by Sabina Sobczak

February 18, 2025

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Nestled between The Strand and Thames Embankment, The Clermont London, Charing Cross is a Grade II-listed Victorian masterpiece that blends historic elegance with contemporary luxury - Luxury Escapes

Choosing the right spot to base yourself while you delve deep into the land of double-decker buses, historical landmarks and afternoon tea is no easy task – but this charming retreat on The Strand is as good as it gets.

You’ll never be far from the action

The Clermont is the ultimate launchpad. Not only is The Strand a part of London’s West End theatre district, it’s close to just about every city hotspot, including shopping and entertainment hub Covent Garden, hip Soho and must-see attractions like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square. A five-minute stroll will leave you gazing out over the River Thames and the London Eye; a fifteen-minute walk and you’re at the sprawling British Museum. Planning on taking a day trip to Oxford, Windsor Castle or Stonehenge? Charing Cross train station is right next door.

You’ll experience the royal treatment…

Elegant inside and out – it was originally designed to accommodate the city’s powerful railway firms – The Clermont is steeped in 19^th-century Baroque sophistication. Think classic interiors, chandelier-lit hallways and a central staircase draped in red carpet – this is London living at its finest. The exterior’s no exception: housed in a Grade II listed building, The Clermont exudes ornate period charm, flaunting original brick arches and French pavilion roofs.

…and dine like a local

Start each day in the capital with a classic Full English breakfast for your fill of golden hash browns, comforting baked beans and eggs your way – it’s all on offer at The Clermont Restaurant, served with a side of captivating views over Trafalgar Square. Come back for the crowd-pleaser fish and chips, opt for the chef’s signature bao buns or spend the afternoon sipping gin and tonics as the world drifts by below.

Here, afternoon tea is an art form

, and delectable finger sandwiches paired with cocktails – there’s no better way to live the quintessentially British experience than with the Clermont Classic Afternoon Tea. And for the theatre enthusiasts, the fan-favourite Wicked Afternoon Tea serves up all the classics plus chocolate and pistachio bombes and Wicked-themed sips.

Step into London sophistication at The Clermont London, Charing Cross, where iconic landmarks like Trafalgar Square, the London Eye and West End are a mere stroll away - Luxury Escapes

Guests can recharge at The Clermont Restaurant & Bar with their signature afternoon tea, a nightcap or a meal made with the freshest produce - Luxury Escapes

The Clermont Restaurant & Bar is a swanky all-day eatery that reimagines British classics with a modern flair, focusing on freshly sourced produce - Luxury Escapes

You’ll have access to London’s best parks

While the hotel places you at the heart of the action, the city’s green spaces are also within easy reach for those well-needed moments of peace. Just a ten-minute walk away, you’ll find St. James’s Park, where a charming lake, cosy St. James’ Cafe and friendly squirrels await. Keep walking and you’ll seamlessly transition into Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, all complete with plenty of walking paths, open spaces and fresh air amid the city’s bustle.