You know how some hotels try so hard to be impressive that they end up feeling a bit stuffy? Well, The Berkeley isn’t one of those places. I mean, don’t get me wrong – it’s absolutely luxurious and sits right there on Wilton Place where you’d expect to pay through the nose – but there’s something refreshingly unpretentious about it. Maybe it’s because they’ve been doing this since 1972 and actually know what they’re about, or maybe it’s just that particular London confidence where you don’t need to shout about how great you are.
The location honestly couldn’t be better if you’re the type who likes to walk everywhere. You’re literally two minutes from Harvey Nichols (dangerous, I know), and Hyde Park Corner is right there when you need to escape the Knightsbridge madness. What I really love is that you can duck down those little side streets – Motcomb Street is gorgeous for wandering – and suddenly you’re away from the tourist crowds even though you’re in the thick of everything. The staff at check-in were genuinely helpful too, not that overly formal “yes sir, no sir” thing you sometimes get at fancy places. They actually seemed to care about whether you had a good stay, which sounds basic but honestly isn’t always the case at this level.
The rooms are where they really get it right – everything feels considered but not fussy. The beds are ridiculously comfortable (those Egyptian cotton sheets aren’t just marketing speak), and the bathrooms have proper water pressure, which you’d be surprised how many expensive hotels mess up. I stayed during a busy weekend in spring and was worried about noise from the street, but the windows must be seriously well-insulated because you barely hear anything. The rooftop restaurant gets all the attention, and fair enough because the views are spectacular, but honestly their afternoon tea service is what impressed me most. It’s in this beautiful blue room that feels more like someone’s very posh living room than a hotel restaurant. The whole experience just flows naturally – you’re not constantly reminded you’re in a hotel, if that makes sense. It’s expensive, obviously, because it’s Knightsbridge and it’s five-star everything, but you do feel like you’re getting what you pay for rather than just paying for the address.