Elegant perfection

They say that when something is very good indeed, a return visit can result in disappointment. Well, I can happily report that when I went back in July, that was not so. All the exquisite little things that add up to one sublime whole are still in place, and more too. I thought perhaps it had only crystallised into perfection in my mind, but no, it is perfection. Not glitzy, shout-out-loud perfection, but genteel elegant perfection.

Obviously, five-star luxury doesn’t come cheap, but perhaps something wonderful is worth saving up for now and then. Just 24 hours of unadulterated pampering within The Berkeley’s chic walls was worth a week in an inferior establishment. The hotel cossets, soothes and rewards, without ever being snooty or condescending. Service is flawless — the staff are friendly and welcoming, your wish is their command . . . and there is always the possibility that you may bump into a celeb or two. I see on their website that Madonna adores the hotel’s Blue Room (bar), and it is Mischa Barton’s favourite London hotel...

I’ll stop waxing lyrical and tell you about my divine weekend break. I visited on a Saturday at the end of July with my friend Lucy — and shopping was top of the ‘to do’ list, accompanied by nothing more taxing than dining, drinking and chilling out. Bliss! In fact, The Berkeley has a special affinity with the fairer sex and, for those who cannot be bothered to do anything at all, it offers its ‘girls’ night in’ with in-room manicures, chick flicks, Diptique candles to set the mood, ice cream, chocolates, luxury spa treats and use of The Berkeley’s rooftop health spa — all you and your friends have to do is pop on bathrobes and have fun!

If you can manage to slip on the stilettoes and trot down to the Caramel Room, you can indulge in another Berkeley classic — and one that will have us ladies squealing in delight. Pret a Portea, pictured above, is The Berkeley’s designer afternoon tea. A breathtaking collection of cakes and fancies reflect the current fashions, and are created by some of the world’s top designers. Who could resist Herve Leger’s vivid orange bikini vanilla biscuit with signature criss-cross banding, Christian Louboutin’s coconut cream sponge cake shoe topped with metallic frill, or Balmain’s almond macaroon jacket filled with white chocolate and pistachio ganache. Just too beautiful to eat!

Tempting as that sounds as a pleasant way to pass an afternoon, we had plans that mainly featured our favourite pursuit, shopping.

Having taken the train from Oxford to Paddington, we jumped in a taxi (they were the biggest extra of the weekend at £70 total!) and headed for The Berkeley. The liveried doorman dealt with the luggage as we passed through the revolving door into the entrance lobby, decorated with huge displays of yellow sunflowers. Fruit juices were dispensed and sipped on as we checked-in. It was noon, and understandably our room was not ready. We said we would return around 5pm, the doorman hailed us another taxi, and off we went to Oxford Street.

The next six hours (it was 6pm, not 5pm, by the time we returned!) passed in a whirl of shops, trying on, spending money, and giggling. Oh yes, and a very nice lunch.

Back at The Berkeley, and feeling exhausted, we were shown up to our room on the second floor. This deluxe king room was huge, with the most comfortable beds, a lounge area, a separate dressing room and absolutely immense marble bathroom with beautiful Asprey toiletries. It was the height of indulgence, and the bottle of Laurent-Perrier Champagne, reclining in the chiller and just ready to be popped, was the icing on the cake.

What was there left to wish for? Perhaps a fabulous dinner in the two Michelin-starred temple of gastronomy that is Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley? Well, yes, that was exactly what we had booked — and the best thing is that the restaurant is actually inside the hotel.

On my last visit, we went to Gordon Ramsay’s Boxwood Cafe, also in the hotel, and was quite disappointed — the New York diner style did nothing to titillate my tastebuds. No such problem with Marcus Wareing’s sublime eaterie.

Comfortably seated at a corner table in the refined restaurant, we started with (yet more) Champagne. We moved onto the menu, and in yet another fit of ‘hang the expense’ decided on the ‘Menu Prestige’, which featured no less than ten tiny-but-delectable courses, plus an amuse bouche and pre-dessert too! We feasted on dishes featuring the most exquisite of ingredients, from lobster and foie gras to quail, Dover sole and suckling pig. Our dinner was simply stunning, and clever, and the flavours were wonderfully pronounced and skilfully woven together.

We were just disappointed that, on our visit to the kitchen later, Marcus wasn’t there, as he was on holiday. He had left the kitchens in the capable hands of executive head chef Alyn Williams and his team, and obviously they had done a sterling job!

And so to bed, for a wonderful night of undisturbed sleep. We breakfasted a litte later than planned — far too much Champagne the night before! — from the wonderful breakfast buffet with its mouthwatering array of fruits, freshly-squeezed juices, home-made granola and pastries. Revived by copious amounts of good English breakfast tea, I tucked into scrambled egg and bacon and hot buttered toast. Reluctantly we checked out of The Berkeley, but when we need another dose of unashamed indulgence, it will be top of the list!

The Berkeley, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RL, tel: 020 7235 6000