Anyone who’s frequented London is well versed with the hustle and bustle around Covent Garden. From the boutique stores to the market stalls, there is so much to see and do while all being in close proximity to London’s various theatres and tourist attractions. Mere minutes from the heady delights of the shopping district is the gracefully designed Hotel Amano Covent Garden. This luxury hotel has an impressive rooftop bar with views of the surrounding area, beautifully decorated bedrooms and a well-regarded restaurant that my husband and I couldn’t wait to try for ourselves. SUITE DREAMS After an impressively efficient check-in and a ride in a technically impressive elevator (there were no floor selection buttons inside the lift!), we had made it to our room. Decorated in a contemporary fashion and adorned with clean lines and luxurious amenities, we immediately felt like we’d arrived somewhere special. A first for us, the room was controlled by a tablet (as the elevators had been), meaning any desire was merely a swipe or a tap of the finger away. Boasting a king-sized bed, a large wardrobe and welcome chocolates, we knew we were in for a luxury night’s sleep. Stepping into the bathroom, we were greeted by a wide sink and a rainfall shower (my favourite), with all the toiletries required for a quick getaway. DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY We were super excited to have dinner at Penelope’s restaurant. Named after the owner’s daughter, the restaurant specialises in a mix of Israeli and Spanish cuisine, a first for my husband and I. Upon arrival, we were escorted to our seats by our attentive waiter. He was a pleasure to speak to and he ensured our every need was catered to during our meal. The restaurant has a sleek, future-retro design that perfectly ties in with the rest of the hotel. The main kitchen is in the middle of the room, so you can watch your meals being prepared no matter where you’re seated. The seating is luxurious, with a choice of booths around the restaurant for parties or a more intimate dining experience. While perusing the menu, we were treated to a glass of champagne each; this really set the mood for the meal that was to come. The menu was filled with delicious-looking options; narrowing down specific choices was a near impossible task! After much deliberation, we settled on the blackened calamari and monkfish for our starters – yum! The calamari in particular was mouth-watering and, by far, the best we’ve experienced. For our main course, we shared an octopus paella, which was a total feast for the senses. I highly recommend the option. Finishing up, we shared the cheesecake with ice cream for dessert – delicately constructed and filled with sufficiently sweet tastes to balance out the savoury main. Penelope’s has a reputation for its party atmosphere. While we dined, we were lucky enough to experience live music from a DJ and saxophonist who transformed the space into a nightclub feel, so much so that we almost forgot we were at dinner! A highlight for me was when the staff handed out luminated flower crown headdresses to bring everyone in on the party atmosphere – you quickly forgot you were in central London, being whisked away to the Mediterranean coast. Seeing all of the customers dancing and singing while enjoying great food was unlike anything I’ve experienced at a restaurant before. Whether you’re planning a night out with friends and family or are planning your hen or stag do, Penelope’s is perfect. The hotel is connected to the restaurant via a separate entrance, so once you’ve danced the night away, you are only a short walk away from your room. Once we’d finished our meal and had joined the dancefloor fun, we went back to our room and I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. DELICIOUS CUISINE Waking up the following morning, we couldn’t wait to try breakfast – also at Penelope’s. We were surprised when we arrived that the restaurant had been transformed into a tranquil space, very different from the nightclub vibe from the night before. Our lovely waiter showed us to our table and offered suggestions from the expansive menu. I have a very sweet tooth, so the pancakes were a must for me. My husband went for the avocado, and both were delicious. It was the perfect way to start the day before heading out to explore more of what the area has to offer. We loved our time at Hotel Amano Covent Garden and will be returning soon! THE CITY Escape to Melissa Cullen visits Hotel Amano Covent Garden Book it: www.amanogroup.com/en/hotels/london-hotel-amano-covent-garden www.instagram.com/haydonperrior 24
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