Classy hotel that lives up to its grand exterior
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When Napoleon was victorious in his
invasion of Egypt in 1798, his wife decided to buy him a welcome
home present.
But the French leader was less than
impressed when he discovered Josephine's surprise.
She had bought him a country pad
called Chateau de Malmaison near Paris - spending all his
recently-acquired fortune on a lavish makeover.
It is Josephine's spectacular style
that is said to have inspired the Malmaison hotel chain.
I stayed at the four-star Malmaison
London, a grand white-fronted Victorian building that exudes
luxury.
Set in leafy Charterhouse Square on
the edge of the City of London, Malmaison is a retreat from the
hustle and bustle of the West End.
It is a meatball's throw from
Smithfield Market, busy with butchers every weekday morning, and
close to the Barbican centre.
The landmark Fox and Anchor pub, known
for its style and jazz evenings, is a few doors away.
But there's no need to go any further
than the Malmaison brasserie for food.
The building's original vaults have
been opened up to create intimate dining spaces.
It
is not somewhere you would necessarily walk in off the street for a
meal, but it does offer excellent food in a warm, relaxed
environment.
Main meals cost about £17 each, but a
special Three Tenners offer is great value for money -
offering diners a two-course meal with wine for two for just
£30.
But as you eat, drink and be merry
during a stay at Malmaison, spare a thought for Napoleon.
Malmaison London, 18-21 Charterhouse
Square, London EC1M 6AH
Standard double rooms start from £235
plus VAT.
Wednesday, May 26 2010
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