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Renaissance Chancery Court

252 High Holborn
London, England WC1V 6RL
United Kingdom

 
GENERAL INFORMATION :

What to expect: In bustling Holborn, a cobbled courtyard leads to a large reception area with crystal chandeliers and green, Swedish-marble columns. Built in 1914 as the Pearl Assurance headquarters, the hotel creates a discreet atmosphere where lawyers and international businesspeople mingle with the occasional star over drinks.

Amenity highlights: A complete facelift preserved the original marble and mahogany features of this English Heritage Grade II listed building. Guests can unwind to ambient music and hot stone therapy in the spa, purchase Ede and Ravenscroft shirts in the boutique or dine in the grandeur of the QC Restaurant (a former banking hall). The raw silk, silver-threaded wallpaper in the Grand Ballroom is the same as used in Buckingham Palace.

Insider tip: Slightly tucked away, a seven-story marble staircase is one of the most impressive original features of this 1914 building and should not be missed. Made from seven different types of marble, with angular balustrades, it featured in the film Wilde, starring Stephen Fry.

PROPERTY AMINITIES :

At The Spa, guests can enjoy the teak and gold-leaf Relaxation Room or sweat it out in the steam room and sauna. Ayurvedic and holistic therapies include traditional manicures and pedicures, and hot stone massage.

The Renaissance Court Chancery was classed among the top five UK business hotels in the 2003 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Travel Awards. There are 11 meeting rooms, two of which are the original Pearl Assurance boardrooms, with stained-glass windows, mahogany-paneled walls and stucco ceilings. The largest meeting space is the Grand Ballroom (capacity 400 people theater style). The business center offers secretarial and support services.

ROOMS :

The hotel has 356 light and quiet guestrooms, all of which are unique shapes due to the unusual structure of the building. Guestrooms are decorated with cherrywood furniture, two comfortable armchairs, artworks and objets d'art. Beds have Indian cotton pillowcases and are scattered with cushions. All of the black-marble bathrooms offer Penhaligan's toiletries, scales and heated mirrors that don't steam up.

DINING :

QC Restaurant and Bar - Situated in one of the original banking halls of this former Pearl Assurance headquarters, this airy restaurant features marble columns, large windows and high ceilings. Frosted glass partitions provide intimacy. The à la carte menu is modern European with an Oriental twist, and signature dishes include Rabbit Ravioli. Stools line the long, polished steel bar, popular with casual drinkers. Note: The QC Restaurant will be closed for refurbishment Sunday, March 21, 2004. It will reopen on Monday, May 10, 2004 as the Pearl Restaurant (opening date subject to change).

The Bar at Chancery Court - Situated in one of the original banking halls, with marble columns, one notable contemporary addition is the bar, which is a large mahogany drinks cabinet. With oversized green-leather sofas and comfortable armchairs, this traditional bar is popular in the evenings with local lawyers and businesspeople. There is a lunch menu as well as bar snacks in the evening.

Lobby Lounge - This long spacious room is richly decorated with green-marble columns, chandeliers, vases and sculptures. The huge windows, dressed with red taffeta curtains, overlook the courtyard. The Lobby Lounge serves breakfast, a lunch buffet and traditional English afternoon tea, as well as refreshments throughout the day.