Review: Past and future, London’s Strand Palace hotel (Includes interview and first-hand account)

The Strand Palace Hotel is a large hotel on the north side of the Strand, London. The Strand runs for three quarters of a mile from Trafalgar Square eastwards to Temple Bar, where the road becomes Fleet Street.

The bustling lobby of The Strand Palace Hotel. Large fish tanks keep the guest interested while they wait for friends or wait at reception.

Tim Sandle

The hotel opened in 1909, designed by Oliver P. Bernard. It underwent an extensive refurbishment during the 1930s. In keeping with the style of the time, the hotel was decorated in Art Deco style. Today, some of the original Art Deco architecture remains intact.

A 1930s style telephone on show at the Strand Palace Hotel, London.

Tim Sandle

Other parts of the hotel are more modern. The last major revamp took place in 1985. This included new furniture, new bathrooms and a redecoration of the bedrooms.

With the contrasting theme, many of the walls carry vintage advertising posters.

A vintage poster on display at the Strand Palace Hotel in London.

Tim Sandle

The hotel has a small museum where some historic documents relating to the hotel’s history are featured.

On display in the museum is a poster announcing the grand opening of the hotel in 1909.

Tim Sandle

The hotel opened in the Edwardian era. The museum has a collection of photographs and documents about the hotel and London life.

Tim Sandle

This poster describes how the cutlery used at the hotel during the 1930s was prepared through silver plating techniques.

Tim Sandle

When the Hotel first opened in 1909 a single room with breakfast would have cost five shillings and six pence (31 pence in today’s money, or less than $1).

The hotel has been owned by the Lyons Group, Forte and, as of today, London and Regional Properties.

The hotel has a popular bar.

The bar at The Strand Palace Hotel on a Saturday afternoon in February.

Tim Sandle

The main eating place is The Carvery, restaurant. Good, traditional dishes are served here and the restaurant is always busy.

Top of the menu for the carvery restaurant, in the Strand Palace Hotel, London.

Tim Sandle

Digital Journal took the opportunity to sample some of the food on offer.

People eating and chatting in the carvery at the Strand Palace Hotel, London.

Tim Sandle

For the starter, I enjoyed some goats cheese prepared in breadcrumbs served with vegetables, including beetroot, which served as a nice contrast to the lemony cheese.

A starter on offer at The Strand Palace Hotel – goats cheese.

Tim Sandle

The other in the party selected a mix of meats – ham and bacon – which came with some small jacketed potatoes.

A starter of meats, served with potatoes with crunchy jackets, and fluffy inside.

Tim Sandle

A roll and butter served with each meal. Note the logo of The Strand Palace Hotel.

Tim Sandle

For the main course, I opted for grilled halloumi cheese with various vegetables. Halloumi is a Cypriot semi-hard, unripened brined cheese made from a mixture of goat’s and sheep’s milk.

A vegetable kebab with halloumi cheese and a chili sauce.

Tim Sandle

A selection of crunchy al dente vegetables served on the side.

Tasty vegetables cooked to be firm to the bite.

Tim Sandle

In contrast, my companion went for rib eye steak, served with salad garnish.

A succulent cooked steak, prepared at The Strand Palace Hotel Carvery.

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This came with tasty hand cut chips.

Hand cut chips, nicely seasoned, served as an accompaniment.

Tim Sandle

Today the hotel is fully computerized. It offers comfortable accommodation, throughout 786 bedrooms, with extensive catering facilities and excellent conference suites. For a central London venue it offers a great location and good facilities.

Strand Palace Hotel
372 Strand
London
WC2R OJJ
U.K.

A picture of The Strand, a long road in central London.

Tim Sandle