Honeymoons in Cornwall and Devon

Honeymoons in London

Make the first or last night of your honeymoon as magical as the rest, with London hotels sure to impress

Often the first night of your honeymoon is at a hotel near the airport, ready for a flight to whisk you away to far-flung shores the next morning. But rather than spending that all-important first night in a characterless airport hotel, set the tone for your trip by staying somewhere extraordinary - or beat away those post-honeymoon blues by ending the trip on a high. These London hotels offer something special, but are in great locations for getting you to and from the departure gate in time! You'll be in holiday mode long before your plane takes off...

MERCURE LONDON HYDE PARK HOTEL
Perfect for newly-weds from the south-west, this boutique hotel is almost bouquet-throwing distance from Paddington Station, which is where trains from Cornwall and Devon arrive into and the Heathrow Express departs from. Boasting an already-impressive six-minute walk from the station, the reception staff will let you in on a secret shortcut, taking your journey from hotel to platform to a super-convenient two minutes!

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The personal touch is highly evident here; every little whim has been catered for, including cosy waffle dressing gowns, a smartphone pre-loaded with London hints and tips, and complimentary soft drinks. There's fresh fruit in the rooms, and, considering its spot-on location, it's super silent. Overlooking a peaceful garden square, and just five minutes' walk from the green expanse of Hyde Park, the converted Victorian mansion could easily be in the finest of English landscapes.

If you're the type who fancies a gym session to start your trip off (and we wouldn't blame you if you're not that type!) or are trying to beat the jetlag on your return, there's a tucked-away, state-of-the-art gym, with big screens to distract you from your workout. The newly refurbished accommodation boasts a dazzling combination of Victorian elegance and modern conveniences, but where the hotel really stands out is in its design; each room has personality, flavour and charm, and the huge beds guarantee a great night's sleep before you jet off. Hot breakfasts cater for all your culinary desires - from perfectly scrambled eggs to warming and hearty porridge, but it's the freshly made pastries and barista-standard coffee that will set you up perfectly; then it's just a short stroll and you can be at Heathrow Airport in under 20 minutes. Astonishing really, especially when you consider the quintessential boutique hotel is brimming with English charm, more commonly seen in rural countryside, rather than the beating heart of the capital.
mercurehydepark.com

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THE TRAFALGAR ST JAMES
For the ultimate in luxury in the centre of London's West End, start your honeymoon at this sanctuary of restful splendour. The imposingly striking and historic building was once used by the Cunard Steamship Company - in fact, news of the Titanic sinking was broken in the boardroom - and has been used in films such as 'Dr No'. Now, having been completely renovated and only re-opened in summer 2017, The Trafalgar St James' facilities and design is absolutely second to none. To find this quality in the centre of London is no mean feat, and visitors to the city can't help but be impressed by the 131 rooms and 15 suites, which boast Nespresso coffee machines, in-room books and LED TVs.

Tucked away just off Trafalgar Square, bright colours and strong themes are in play here, and the art deco design throughout the hotel means it's perfectly suited to slipping into something beautiful and sipping champagne.

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The Trafalgar Dining Rooms restaurant, which takes its inspiration from fresh Mediterranean flavours, means you don't have to go far to eat well, and the monochrome rooftop bar - which is considered to be "upping London's rooftop game" - boasts vistas showcasing Nelson's Column and the National Gallery, while Big Ben is just half a mile away.

And as well as all the indulgence and luxe lavishness that you'd expect from a hotel of this standing, it's also perfectly set up to start your trip in stress-free style. Just a short walk across Hyde Park to Victoria station, where the Gatwick Express leaves from, you can be at your boarding gate in no time. Or, if you prefer, the 'your-wish-is-our-command staff' will arrange for a car to take you to the airport, so you really will feel like a VIP from start to finish.

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Helping you out with every little detail, the hotel even has a foreign exchange bureau, perfect for those who've forgotten to get their dollars before diving into exciting adventures as a married couple!

Evoking the glamour of travel's golden age, it really is the most stylish spot to start the holiday of a lifetime.
trafalgarstjames.com

words Lucy Higgins

Copyright Wed magazine 2017