Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/931490
january/february 2018 / the tasting panel / 103 The Milestone Close your eyes and imagine the perfect English city inn—a place where Churchill might go for a nightcap or the Duchess of Cornwall would show up for tea. Now open them: You've officially arrived at The Milestone. Upon entry, you are greeted by a fully-liveried doorman and welcomed into the richly-paneled lobby; there, you are warmly received yet again by the uniformed staff. For the duration of your stay, the hotel's personnel will always greet you by name. After a welcoming glass of Sherry, you will be escorted to one of the Milestone's 44 rooms or 12 suites. During our recent visit, my wife and I stayed in the huge, two-level Viscount junior suite, the centerpiece of which was an ornate four-poster king bed festooned with silk curtains. The room has three large soundproofed windows that overlook Kensington Gardens, as well as a selection of carefully-chosen furnishings and art. There are bright flowers everywhere and fresh fruit is always on hand. In the marble bathroom, you'll find enough Penhaligon toiletries to open your own boutique. Despite this luxurious and traditional ambience, all the modern technology is there. A huge flat-screen television faces the bed, and there's Wi-Fi, an iPod dock, and international video conferencing available. The basement, meanwhile, houses a fully-equipped gym. A full English breakfast is served in the handsome Victorian Cheneston restaurant with a buffet of meats, cheeses, breads, and fruit. You can also order the signature eggs Benedict or some traditional kippers. In the evening, the restaurant offers fine, modern British cuisine with an extraordinary wine list, while an elegant tea is served—complete with an amazing display of cakes, cookies, and finger sandwiches—during the afternoon hours. You can also sip your way through the excellent selection of single malts in the evenings at the charming jockey bar. Needless to say, The Milestone definitely provides the complete and thorough English experience. For more information, visit milestonehotel.com. Hotel 41 Located opposite the Royal Mews and behind Buckingham Palace, Hotel 41 holds the top rat- ing out of 1,077 London hotels (The Milestone is number two) on TripAdvisor. The 30-room hotel sits atop another hotel, The Rubens at the Palace (a sister operation that is also highly rated). The street-level, mahogany-paneled lobby gives a hint of what's to come. You are greeted by a charm- ing young woman who offers a colorful selection of sweets to nibble on while you check in. She already knows what you expect during your stay, since you were sent a comprehensive questionnaire a few weeks before your arrival that allows you to provide your pillow preference and select your choice of amenities, including a yoga mat or an exercise bicycle in your room. You can also opt in for a pick- up at Heathrow when you land. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE RED CARNATION HOTEL COLLECTION London hotel The Milestone evokes the image of a perfect English city inn. London's Hotel 41 is the top-rated hotel in the city on TripAdvisor.