Nestled on a small street in the St. James neighborhood of London lies The Stafford London, a luxury hotel that transports you into old-world London sophistication.

THE PROPERTY

The entrance to the property is on a small, quiet cul-de-sac, with a little alley that leads you right to Green Park. Upon arrival, you are greeted by a doorman who will help you with your bags. You walk right up to reception, where the staff is ready to help and very friendly. The hotel's layout is not very traditional, as the property comprises three buildings with different room offerings and suites. We had to walk through the restaurant and outside a bit to get to our room. It was nice, however, to have our own private entrance to our building. We could enter from the building's back alley, which leads directly into the city. The decor is a mix of Victorian and Edwardian styles, giving it an old-world charm.

THE ROOM

We stayed in a Mews Master Suite, and it was perfect for a family of 4. There was a bedroom and a living room, which they converted into a second bedroom for the kids. When you walk in, you are welcomed by a large foyer and a half bathroom on your left. There is also a coat closet. On the right is the living room/second bedroom, which has a couch, desk, and fireplace. It also has a balcony, which is always a nice touch. Knowing we were a family checking in, they already had two cots set up and dressed for the girls to sleep in. It’s always nice when the kids can have their own room. Toward the back is the primary room, which features a large en-suite bathroom with a tub, a separate walk-in shower, and a water closet. It was a very spacious room, giving us parents some space while the children could enjoy their own. The bed was also very comfortable; I slept like a baby.

THE FOOD

The on-site restaurant is run by Michael Caines, who is a world-renowned Michelin-starred chef. You can choose a prix fixe menu, an à la carte menu, or a tasting menu. My husband chose the pre fixe while I chose the à la carte. There is also a kids’ menu for the children. During our dinner, the waiters were very attentive and professional. This is a fine-dining restaurant, designed for a longer dinner with multiple courses and offerings. Our dinner was about 3 hours in total. The bread they served at the table was exceptional. I would say the best bread I’ve ever had in a restaurant. I would come back here just for that reason, I kid you not.

The way each dish was plated was a work of art in itself, almost too pretty to eat, and I loved trying all the different flavor pairings. The restaurant was established before Michael Caines took over, so they still offer their old, tried-and-true dishes, but we opted for dishes created by Michael Caines to really get a feel for the new restaurant. I got the warm lobster salad and the Pan-Roasted Brixham Turbot, which was so flavorful and light. But perhaps the most interesting part of our meal was the dessert. I tried the Green apple, a dessert shaped and decorated like an apple, but when you dig into it, it’s a sort of custard with cooked apples inside. It's paired with an apple cider ice cream, which was a nice acidic balance to the sweet and tart dessert. It was a refreshing ending to a multi-course meal and did not feel overindulgent.

The girls had deserts from the kids' menu, where my youngest had a brownie sundae, which she loved. My older loves strawberries, and they were nice enough to create a strawberry dessert for her that wasn’t on the menu. My husband got the raspberry souffle and he enjoyed it as well. Despite it being a long dinner for the children, the staff were very pleasant with them, and the girls enjoyed the meal. This type of dining may be too long for some children, so I would be mindful and maybe order fewer dishes to avoid prolonging the dinner. Overall, dinner was a very pleasant experience.

AFTERNOON TEA

One thing my girls and I absolutely love is afternoon tea, so of course, we had to indulge ourselves during our stay. They do offer a kids' afternoon tea, although we did not get it. I would actually recommend this if your children are not adventurous eaters, as it offers simpler options. My girls love trying different desserts, so this worked just fine for them. The scones were exceptional; I could have eaten a million of them, and I loved how the desserts were so thoroughly decorated and prepared. The waiter thoughtfully explained each pairing to us, and it was fun trying all the different flavors. Our table was overflowing with tea and treats, and we were not mad about it one bit.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD

The hotel is located in St James, right in the heart of London, very close to many attractions and parks. Right at their doorstep is Green Park, and a short walk away is St James ' Park and Buckingham Palace. St James Park has a gorgeous pond and a fun little playground for kids. One thing I LOVE about parks in London and many places in Europe is that they often have a cafe. Right by the children's playground was a cafe where you could buy treats for the kids and coffee for yourself.

On our second night, we walked to dinner in Carnaby, which was only about an 11-minute walk. Near the city, you will find Piccadilly, which has many shows and theaters, and Oxford Suqat, which has great shopping. So really, you have everything at your doorstep within walking distance. It's a great location for sightseeing, especially if it’s your first visit to London.