London Mother-Daughter Shopping Holiday at The Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge

London and the UK always holds a special place in my heart. My grandmother was English (from Northamptonshire) and I spent every other weekend of my childhood sipping tea and listening to her tell me stories in her English accent. My first visit to the UK wasn’t until after she passed away, but each time I set foot across The Pond, my DNA recognizes its origins and I feel like I’m back where I belong.

Recently I planned vacation with my daughter during her Mardi Gras school break. We met up with a couple of my writing colleagues for what would become known as our UK Retreat. We chose our lodging at The Capital Hotel London due to its convenient location to shopping and The Tube. From the moment we arrived, we were treated like celebrities.

The Capital Hotel

I was first introduced to The Capital Hotel almost seven years ago. It was on a sponsored press junket and I was very excited to return to such a lovely hotel. The Capital Hotel is a 5 Star luxury boutique hotel located in Knightsbridge. It was first opened over 40 years ago by David Levin and is currently still running under the direction of the family.

The Rooms

It was a cold, winter afternoon when we arrived directly from our overnight flight into London Heathrow Airport. We were excited, yet exhausted (or knackered as they say in the UK) and all I personally wanted to do was crawl into a soft, warm bed and close my eyes for a few minutes. At arrival, the concierge and front desk enveloped us into the fold like family welcoming a long lost sister home. They coddled us and settled us into our rooms and even sent a fresh pot of tea immediately to help us settle in.

My daughter and I shared an Executive Deluxe Room which provided a view of Harrod’s at the corner. I again was reminded of how much I enjoy the understated elegance of this luxury boutique London hotel. The bed was a bit firm, yet comfortable and the muted colors made for a relaxing atmosphere. I just felt comforted by being there.

The bathroom was spotless and gleaming with one of my favorite beauty brands, Kiehl’s, as their bath amenities collection. I enjoyed a hot soak before bedtime that first night to rest and recuperate after our long journey from Louisiana to London.

The Location

The Capital Hotel London is located just near the Knightsbridge Tube station and Harrod’s. Around the corner you’ll find world famous brands like Harry Winston, Tiffany’s, and Ladurée. Although these high end luxury stores may seem outrageous, there’s nothing wrong with window shopping. And if one ventures just a few steps further, there are affordable shopping options for fashion fun. But if you are in London from the US on a shopping holiday, you might as well splurge and spoil yourself.

One morning we walked to Buckingham Palace to observe the Royal Guard Procession. Another day was spent sight-seeing with a short Tube ride to The London Eye and a walk near the The Thames. During my previous visit to The Capital Hotel London, I enjoyed afternoon walks around Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. It’s a posh location convenient to almost everywhere and is a good choice for business or pleasure.

Afternoon Tea

One afternoon post-shopping my friend Susan Lanier-Graham and I enjoyed a late afternoon tea at The Capital Hotel. One can’t visit London without having full tea service at least once in a notable setting. It was our last evening of the weekend and what a way to end it. The delicate sandwiches and fresh pastries served along with home-made scones and infused tea made for a lovely Sunday evening.

Afternoon Tea is served daily in The Sitting Room of The Capital Hotel between 2.30pm and 5.30pm. Price is £25.00 per person or with a glass of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne at £38.00 per person. Reservations are highly suggested.

(To view a slideshow of our stay at The Capital Hotel London check out the images below as taken with my Nokia Lumia 920.)

My Mama Moment

The entire weekend of exploring London with my daughter and my friend Susan was such a relaxing experience thanks to The Capital Hotel. My favorite moment by far was sitting with my daughter in our room late on the Sunday night with both our faces pressed against the window glass as we watched snow begin to fall from the sky. Harrods could be seen from our window, but it was knowing that this was the first time my daughter had ever seen actual snowflakes falling from the sky.

If you’d like your own experience, book a room at The Capital Hotel in London. This is a luxury boutique property in the Knightsbridge area and prices reflect the location and experience. Rates booked in advanced start at 200 GBP per night depending on season and availability. The property offers additional experiences such as masterclasses with food, wine, and jewelry throughout the year. It is also home to the restaurant Outlaw’s at The Capital and one of London’s most extensive wine collections. The Capital Hotel is a 5 star property offering 5 star service including 24 hour rooms service and exceptional personal attention.

For more information or to book your stay, visit The Capital Hotel London‘s website, follow them on Twitter and “like” their page on Facebook. Special thanks to The Levin Family, The Capital Hotel, and staff for their hospitality and hosting us during our recent visit to London.