The Strand Palace in Covent Garden: A timeless and elegant experience

Welcoming guests to the heart of London since 1909, leading independent hotel Strand Palace invited myself and a guest to test out the ‘Summer in Bloom’ package – a series of floral-inspired activities that give a nod to Strand Palace’s Covent Garden location.

From the moment I stepped into the grand lobby of the Strand Palace, I was captivated by the hotel’s elegant charm and friendly atmosphere and knew my stay here would be a night to remember.

Being just a short walk away from some of the city’s iconic landmarks like Trafalgar Square and being opposite the famous Savoy Hotel, the hotel’s location truly is situated in the heart of London.

My room at Strand Palace was a delectable deluxe king room- it was traditional yet modern, sophisticated yet understated, and stacked with a range of beverages and snacks.

We began our day-of-activities at 2pm with a vibrant floral walking tour inspired by Strand Palace’s location right next to Covent Garden, which developed from countryside fields in the 1200s to London’s largest flower, fruit, and vegetable market in the 1600s.

Our tour guide, Mark Conroy, was an expert on all things florae – not only did he take us on a journey through London’s beautiful green spaces, but we were able to explore the hidden secrets and sets of Harry Potter, Sherlock Holmes, and Jack the Ripper.

The tour took approximately two hours and travelled through St James’ Park, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, and then London’s former flower market, Covent Garden, ending back at Strand Palace.

After this, we were treated to an exquisite afternoon tea in collaboration with premium British chocolate brand, Love Cocoa in Strand Palace’s art deco-inspired Tearoom.

Love Cocoa, founded by James Cadbury, the great-great-great grandson of John Cadbury, together with Strand Palace, have drawn on their British heritage to deliver a modern take on the traditional afternoon tea.

From tender crab rolls to crispy salted caramel macaroons, the food tasted as beautiful as it was presented, and it paired perfectly with the chosen teas (and prosecco).

After we indulged in the generous selection of sandwiches and sweet treats, we headed to a bespoke floristry workshop with garden florists, Bloomsbury Flowers.

Bloomsbury Flowers was founded in 1994 in the heart of Covent Garden by two former ballet dancers, establishing itself as one of London’s premier florists and is now run by creative entrepreneur Anoma Radkevitch.

This is an optional exclusive experience, held in Strand Palace’s refined Private Dining Room, and costs £125 per person.

During our hour here, we were shown how to perfectly arrange a bouquet of gorgeous flowers, including a bright pink Peony which was perfectly placed in the centre.

After a day jam packed with flowers and fun, we ended our experience with a stunning cocktail at the Gin Palace bar, inspired by Covent Garden’s heritage.

We then headed up to our room, and were greeted to an in-room gift – Floral Street’s London Poppy perfume, powered by flowers and inspired by the original Victorian flower market in Covent Garden.

It goes without staying that the staff at Strand Palace made our trip worthwhile – from the front desk to the bartenders, everyone seemed genuinely interested in ensuring my stay was comfortable.

Check-in and out was efficient, and any queries or requests I had during my stay were promptly addressed by the team.

Overall, the Summer in Bloom package was a luxurious experience fit for those wanting to explore London in a relaxing, fun environment, and gives you the opportunity to learn the cultural history about the flowers that grow around the capital.

The Summer in Bloom package is available throughout July until September this year and can be booked online.

Visit the Strand Palace website here for more information.