Sink into luxury at one of top city’s best hotels – just hour from Dublin Airport

IT’D be silly to come to London for a bath.

Even if it was a gloriously deep tub with gleaming hardware surrounded by Cipollino marble.

So, instead, come to London for a bespoke wooden four-poster bed with dreamy white bedding that feels like sleeping on a cloud.

Or, come to London for the pomp and ceremony of afternoon tea in sumptuous surroundings in the heart of the UK capital.

In short, for all this and more, come to The Adria Hotel situated in the heart of charming South Kensington, steps away from world-class museums, iconic landmarks, and quaint streets waiting to be discovered.

GETTING THERE

First things first, my husband James and I started as we meant to go on: in luxury.

We ditched waiting at the gate at Dublin Airport’s T2 for an altogether more decadent experience in the Aer Lingus lounge.

For €30 per person, you can wait for your flight in comfort, sipping coffee – or something stronger – and enjoy pastries, soup, or sandwiches.

The gates are a walk away and the tranquil space ensures you’ll start your trip off on the right foot.

FINEST HOTEL ON THE BLOCK

We took a British Airways flight out of Dublin to Heathrow Airport.

The flight time was less than an hour and a half, and after only minimal head-scratching, we took the Piccadilly Line into the city.

Our destination was a grand old dame of a hotel located in the heart of South Kensington – less than five minutes from the tube stop.

The Adria Hotel is an exclusive 5-star establishment with 22 luxury rooms and suites, breakfast and dining services, meeting rooms and private lounges.

All meticulously restored to capture the elegance of the building’s 19th-century heritage.

This sublime townhouse – which would be a perfect getaway for Valentine’s Day – was our home away from home for a whistle-stop visit to London.

It was my first visit in many years, and now it will certainly not be my last.

SERVICE WITH CHARM

The Adria sets itself apart from other hotels with its personalised service and attention to detail.

The staff are exceptionally friendly and attentive. No request is too big or too small for them.

A heartfelt thanks goes to Sebastian, who made such a positive impression. He went out of his way to ensure everything was just right and couldn’t have been more helpful.

And a thank you to Catherine too who was a pleasure at breakfast and afternoon tea. It’s clear all the staff here take great pride in their work, and it really makes all the difference to the overall experience.

Not only are the staff exceptional, but so are the surroundings. The décor is elegant yet homely, and the scent wafting through the hallways is bespoke from Italy.

A ROOM WITH A VIEW

We were on the third floor and the spacious open plan room had everything we could need.

Two large windows and a sofa for lounging as well as a desk that doubled as a makeup table.

TV, of course, coffee machine, safe and mini fridge. Anything you don’t have – the staff will provide.

The en-suite bathroom was gloriously appointed, with heated floors, a bath to die for, and a roomy, separate shower.

High end toiletries and fluffy towels added to the opulence. And did I mention, a TV in here too?!

The pièce de résistance was the bed – so comfortable, it was a dream to sleep in.

Visitors also have access to stunning lounges where you can read a book, catch up on some work or simply relax with a coffee.

If lounging around in the lap of luxury isn’t your thing, there’s plenty to do nearby. The hotel is just a short walk from the Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Harrods department store and the Royal Albert Hall.

For those who enjoy green spaces, Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park are also just a stroll away, providing a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle

TIME FOR TEA

The hotel doesn’t have a restaurant but you can order in and eat in your room or have your meal set up in one of the common areas.

However they do offer an afternoon tea service that is a quintessentially British afternoon experience.

James and I were lucky enough to indulge in an elegant selection of finely crafted sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and an array of delicate pastries.

A glass of champagne completed the reverie which was a perfect afternoon diversion.

IN DEMAND

Next port of call for an evening feast was Dishoom Kensington. The queue snaking down the street proved this eatery was in demand, and once we walked in we could see why.

Dishoom is art deco extravagance bouncing with quick tempo’d jazz and groups of lively patrons chatted in the low lighting as chandeliers glimmered overhead.

The food is a step up from your usual fare. Last year, Dishoom chefs embarked on a special journey to Bombay and across a week they tasted over 100 dishes a day and the unforgettable trip became the inspiration for the restaurants biggest menu update since 2010.

Alongside the much-loved hits guests will be able to opt for new dishes from small plates, rolls and salads, to grills and curries.

One of the regional additions is a seafood staple, Goan Monkfish Curry, influenced by Bombay’s vibrant Goan community.

This new curry consists of tender chunks of monkfish in a hot and sour sauce; a contrast to the creamier Dishoom signatures of Chicken Ruby and Black Daal.

We choose to indulge in the Nalli Nihari Biryani, a triumph. Enjoyed the fragrant and hearty Pau Bhaji recently updated for the new menu. It consisted of buttery-spicy, mashed vegetables and home-made buns on a chowpatty tray and James favourite was the warm aubergine chutney.

We also ended our feast with melting-in-the-middle chocolate pudding served with a scoop of Kashmiri chilli ice cream. You will not want to share.

If you think this feature article is waxing lyrical, you’d be right. So it’s only fair to end with something I wasn’t entirely happy with.

And that’s that I didn’t have more time to spend in London.