Travel, Wine & Shoes

I arrived a hot, sweaty, tired mess in my sweatpants and purple backpack on an early flight from Istanbul.  I had afternoon tea booked for 3:00 and desperately wanted to get in my room so I could shower.  While I waited, I spent my time at The Goring Cocktail Bar and had snacks and diet coke and read my Kindle.  My room was ready early and I looked somewhat presentable when I came back downstairs for my afternoon tea.

The people working at The Goring were all very nice and attentive.  The doormen looked very smart in their suits and pointed me in the right direction.  It was the little things that I loved about this hotel ~ the real key that I left with the concierge and everyone said hello and called me Ms. Collins.

How do people who haven’t seen me before know my name?

The Goring

Built in 1910 by Otto Goring, The Goring remains a family run hotel and it was fabulous!  I stayed for 3 nights and The Goring has topped my list of where to stay when in London.  The Goring was where The Princess of Wales (the former Kate Middleton) stayed the night before her wedding.

Over a Century of Luxury Service

London’s last remaining family-owned luxury hotel. Crafted over a century by one family, The Goring is the genuine article – a grand hotel with impeccable manners and a subtle streak of wit and wonder.

The 3 pictures below are from The Goring’s website:

Classics For One

I booked the “Classics For One” room and took advantage of the “Three Nights For Two” offer.  I was expecting a single bed in a very small room and I was wrong.  I was given Room 31 and it was perfect.

A welcome snack awaited me when I returned to my room after afternoon tea.

I was fascinated by the light control and had a lovely conversation with the housekeeper.

The Goring Sheep

My very own Bar-baa-ra was waiting in my room for me to take home along with the beautiful Goring gift bag.

Bar-baa-ra

As iconic as the hotel itself, here is a little history on how they came to be…

Guests remarked to the late George Goring that they did not feel as if they were in London when they stayed, but rather it had the peace and calm of a country hotel – due to the beautiful garden and the very quiet location in Belgravia.

So one day, when driving through Devon, Mr Goring came across the workshop of a gentleman who made the most engaging and delightful wooden sheep with real sheepskin fur. He bought one and took it back to The Goring, as he thought it really brought the country feel of the hotel to life. Guests loved it – and he subsequently commissioned more and more.

Visiting The Goring today, guests will see these now famous sheep on each bed and dotted about, ready to welcome guests to The Goring. We hope you will like them too…

Afternoon Tea on the Veranda

This was very, very good!  The veranda is a beautiful setting overlooking the garden.  I ate it all.

The Goring celebrates this much-loved English tradition with a creative, delicious Afternoon Tea service.

We have been perfecting the art of Afternoon Tea since we opened our doors over a century ago. As the holder of The British Tea Guild Council’s Top London Afternoon Tea Award and The Award of Excellence, we continue to delight guests with delicious pastries, fruity homemade jams and high quality tea blends. The menu changes to offer the freshest, locally-sourced fruits in line with the season.

Tea is served overlooking the garden in the The Veranda every day.

Goring Breakfast

I enjoyed Rolled Oat Porridge and Avocado on Toast for breakfast.

The Garden

Around The Goring

I loved this hotel and highly recommend.

Happy Travels!

 

England