The Impressive Refurbished Penthouse at Four Seasons, Tower Bridge; The Mouthwatering Steak & Salad Lunch Deal at 45 Park Lane; and Golden Diwali, Freshly Baked Mooncakes & Divine Delicate Dim Sum at Peninsula, London - London/ Shrewsbury

The Impressive Refurbished Penthouse at Four Seasons, Tower Bridge; The Mouthwatering Steak & Salad Lunch Deal at 45 Park Lane; and Golden Diwali, Freshly Baked Mooncakes & Divine Delicate Dim Sum at Peninsula, London - London/ Shrewsbury - October 2025

1/11/2025

Discreet Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair in Hanover Square

I have already posted this month how excited I am about November 2025 & my stay at Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair has since been confirmed.

It was include a Chef's Table dinner by Chef Jihun Kim in Somssi with a Korean inspired tasting menu & a spa treatment.

On 5 November I will also get to try the new cocktails in their rooftop Hanover Bar, while watching the Bonfire Night fireworks.

My Niece's Birthday & The Refurbished Penthouse at Four Seasons, Tower Bridge

The Sunday all you can eat dim sum brunch at Four Seasons, Tower Bridge was a chance to celebrate my Moscow based Niece's birthday long distance, view the hotel's refurbished penthouse & drink an 'SF Martini'.

The second cover photo is of the 'Secret Garden' inside the penthouse and the doors inside the penthouse and made of inlaid wood by Viscount Linley. You can rent the penthouse for £50,000 a night.

Beef Wellington; Formula One Cars; Diwali; Fresh Mooncakes & Divine Dim Sum at Peninsula, London

From MD Rolf offering I could perch on their Formula One car for the photo (I, politely, declined this); to Chef Saravanan Chamy arranging for me to try smaller versions of all the dishes on their Diwali menu (include Salt Marsh Lamb Biriani with gold in it); to Chef Ling Ling Zeng's freshly baked mooncakes; to Hotel Manager Scott personally delivering the Financial Times & New York Times to me in 'Canton Blue' & Chef Ling Ling Zeng letting me try one of every delicate dim sum on their menu and F&B Directory Anthony showing me their David Hockney painted BWM, once again, cannot say enough good things about Peninsula, London.

45 Park Lane; Flawless Food & Service

The good value steak & salad lunchtime deal at 45 Park Lane meant I visited it more than once during the month.

On my lastest visit Emily (the CUT Restaurant Manager) served me Ruinart champagne and the Wagyu beef with shaved truffles dish I missed out on when Chef Elliott Grover catered Hormazd Narielwalla's book launch at Hackett on Savile Row.

The perfection of everything at 45 Park Lane made me even more excited about the 'Too Many Cooks' dinner there this month.

Mum Happy & Comfortable and Shrewsbury

I managed to squeeze in a visit to Shrewsbury where I visited her every day and even had a 'Robert Omelette' at The Ol' Chemist.

On one of the visits to mum, her brilliant friend Pat Davies had us both laughing.

The Difficult to Book Eagle Bar at The Chancery Rosewood

I took the CEO of Jordan International Bank Plc to The Eagle Bar at The Chancery Rosewood. He was impressed by the service he received once he mentioned he was my guest.

The only problem was we tried to sit inside but the noise levels meant we had to move outside.

All Peninsula, London & 45 Park Lane did for me, combined with receiving the exceptional details regarding my Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair stay & my treatment at The Emory, make it another unprecedented '9 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) month.

30 Comments

Nick and Rick

1/11/2025 04:53:57 pm

Simon,

You’ve given such a vivid sense of October — from Peninsula London’s golden Diwali celebrations and Chef Ling Ling Zeng’s mooncakes to that spectacular penthouse at Four Seasons Tower Bridge. We could almost see the Viscount Linley inlaid doors and the Secret Garden, imagining you raising an SF Martini to your niece while taking in the view. It all sounds so beautifully done.

The Diwali tasting sounded phenomenal, and your story about politely declining to perch on the Formula One car made us laugh — pure Simon. The way Peninsula looks after you each time is remarkable, and the details you notice always make us appreciate it even more. And 45 Park Lane never disappoints, Ruinart and Wagyu with truffles sound divine, and we love that it’s become a proper part of your routine.

We were also really glad to read that your mum is comfortable and that you were able to spend some quiet time with her in Shrewsbury. The laughter with Pat Davies came through so clearly — such a warm, grounding contrast to all the sparkle and champagne.

Nine teddies feels exactly right. It’s another month that blends indulgence, connection, and your impeccable eye for service and detail. We’ll raise a glass to you from afar, martinis in hand as always, and can’t wait to see what November brings.

Nick & Rick

Si Frew link

1/11/2025 04:59:50 pm

These incredible comments have made my evening. Earlier in the week someone who came to my 40th birthday party in The Penthouse at The Dorchester called me a freeloader. They clearly do not understand the work I put into my global network of contacts or this blog.

John

2/11/2025 05:37:51 pm

I just finished reading the blog post — wow, what a month Simon has had! The refurbished penthouse at the Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge sounds utterly spectacular, and that lunch-deal at 45 Park Lane (steak salad? Wagyu? truffles? Ruinart??) really had me drooling. The whole ambience around that, plus the mooncakes and dim sum at the Peninsula London — what a rich set of experiences.

Nick, totally agree with your call-out to the “secret garden”-style vibe at the penthouse — you nailed it when you talked about how luxury and subtle calm came together.

Rick, your humorous note about rejecting the Formula One car (classic!) and your appreciation of the attention to detail at Peninsula really added a fun layer to the story.

What struck me most was how Simon balanced these high-luxury experiences with meaningful personal time — including that visit in Shrewsbury with his mum. It’s a reminder that true moments of richness aren’t just about the flash, but also about connection.

Simon - thanks for sharing the lovely “nine teddies” moment — it gave me a smile.

Looking forward to hearing what November brings for you (and maybe even tagging along vicariously!).

2/11/2025 06:04:44 pm

Really appreciate these comments. Made my evening reading these. Bilal, you & I should experience the steak & salad lunch at 45 Park Lane, with all the extras accompanying me bring. The salad with the steak is a perfect balance.

Peter Gong

1/11/2025 05:34:36 pm

So rare that you had an addendum to your post, but it seems such excitement is building as your stay at MO Mayfair confirmed and draws near. How exciting that includes a Chef's Table dinner by Jihun Kim. With a delicious Korean inspired menu and a spa treatment, it will be a stay-to-remember. Then on Guy Fawkes night you will perched on the rooftop Hanover Bar sampling new cocktails and watching bonfires and fireworks. What a way to go.

What a sweet uncle you are celebrating your niece's birthday though she is Moscow based with a dim sum lunch at the Four Seasons Tower Bridge and from their refurbished penthouse with a 'Secret Garden' and enjoying a SF martini.

From you declining the Formula One Car which I would too have declined was charming and endearing. The delicious way you tried the Diwali menu to freshly baked mooncakes from Chef Chamy and Ling Ling Zing was certainly to die for.

I cannot wait to read of your views on the Too Many Cooks dinner at 45 Park Lane.

it is always such a delights to see you care and worry about your maman. You made an effort to see her sooner rather than later in Shrewsbury. You are a keeper, darling.

It is so nice to know your name open doors even for the CEO of Jordan International Bank at the Eagle Bar at the Chancery.

Cheers.

1/11/2025 06:22:17 pm

Your comments made my evening! So kind & generous.

Andrew - US Blog Fan

1/11/2025 06:23:54 pm

Last toured the Penthouse in 2022 when it was turned into a meeting space. So happy to see it as a proper penthouse again.

Excited for breakfast as well. See you at 9:30am!

1/11/2025 06:26:51 pm

Interesting to hear that. I was told the owners were using it. We can talk about all that, and much more, over breakfast at Four Seasons, Tower Bridge tomorrow,

Jack

1/11/2025 11:35:53 pm

The coupe glasses for the martini's are precious and to say I'm a little jealous of that steak would be an understatement. I'm adding 45 Park Lane to our next trip. And the Sadler's Wells - well, one of my favorite memories was seeing Swan Lake there. What a lovely wrap up!

2/11/2025 04:19:38 am

Great to hear from you. You will love CUT at 45 Park Lane. Chef Elliott Grover is now a UK TV celebrity & has cooked at the Oscars too. The steaks there will blow your mind. Peninsula, London must be on your list for next time too. Their Beef Wellington.

The costumes in the Balanchine part of the ballet took my breath away.

AISHA

2/11/2025 03:46:35 am

Such wonderful photos and descriptions of the hotels, restaurants and food that you visited during October. Such a delight to the eyes. I do think that you should have reclined nonchalantly on the car, another first for you maybe 🤔☺️. So nice that you could message Maria from the Four Seasons on her birthday. I am sure you miss her very much.
Lovely that your mum is happy where she is and that she still has some wonderful friends that still visit her. Must make you happy also to know this.
It’s great that you still have more things to enjoy in the coming days and that you are so well loved by so many people and places. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us, your fan over the coming weeks up to and over the Christmas and New Year 202.

2/11/2025 04:25:14 am

So good to read comments from you. Very kind of you to say all this. I am so excited about my stays at Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair & The Emory and have some unbelievable lunches & dinners planned.

Today’s breakfast at Four Seasons, Tower Bridge with one of the readers of my blog should be fascinating too.

Marie - GM Four Seasons, Tower Bridge

2/11/2025 02:46:26 pm

Thank you Simon, always such a pleasure to see your posts on your blog and to hear the birthday celebrations were a success...look forward to seeing you again soon....

2/11/2025 02:48:58 pm

So good to see you today and thanks for being part of the photo with Andrew & me.

Patricia Myers

2/11/2025 04:24:25 pm

Once again it sounds like you have had a fabulous time and the opportunity to try some wonderful food. Pleased that all is settled with your Mum in Shrewsbury and that you were able to visit her despite your busy schedule. Loved the photographs of your experiences.

2/11/2025 04:34:55 pm

Very kind of you to say all this. Made my afternoon reading this.

2/11/2025 05:40:39 pm

Hi Simon,

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your blog post on the refurbished penthouse at Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge, the steak-salad lunch deal at 45 Park Lane, and your Diwali celebration with moon-cakes and dim sum at The Peninsula London (and of course your trip to Shrewsbury with your mum). It’s a beautifully balanced post — slick luxury experiences paired with the kind of personal, grounding moments that really bring a travel-and-lifestyle write-up to life.

A few thoughts and questions from me:
1. The penthouse at Four Seasons — you describe it as “impressive” and mention the views, the finishes and the sense of calm in the middle of the London bustle. I’d love to know more about how the space felt in terms of acoustics and privacy. London hotels often struggle with street noise or other guests’ activity, and I’m curious whether the refurbishment addressed those issues.
2. The lunch deal at 45 Park Lane: steak, salad, Warr & truffle? Ruinart? The way you describe is very tempting. Did you feel the salad element actually balanced the indulgence (i.e. make it feel a touch healthier), or was it purely about “premium indulgence”? Also, how did the service compare with standard lunch-menus in high end hotels — was it seamless and relaxed, or felt a bit formal?
3. Your mention of moon-cakes and dim-sum for Diwali at The Peninsula London — that’s such a unique combination. I appreciated how you tied in the festivities, but I wonder how the atmosphere felt in the hotel restaurant. Was there anything specially themed for Diwali (decorations, menu items, lighting) or was it more of a regular high-end dining setting with a festive twist?
4. Visiting your mum in Shrewsbury — I really liked how that anchored the post in something meaningful, beyond the spectacle. It reminded me that travel and “luxury lifestyle” don’t always mean far away — sometimes it’s about making a place feel special, even when it’s closer or more familiar. If you don’t mind me asking: did you find that pairing the “big hotel/urban luxury” with “visiting home/quiet town” changed your rhythm or mindset for this trip?
5. Looking ahead: given how many rich experiences you packed into October, any hints of what you’re eyeing for November? Will you stay local again for a bit of calm, or dive into something more ambitious?

Thanks again for sharing the update. The photos you included were excellent — really captured the mood and the spaces. I’ll be bookmarking that 45 Park Lane lunch deal (and maybe eyeing the moon-cakes at The Peninsula for my next festive treat).

Best wishes,
John

2/11/2025 06:18:33 pm

i) total silence in that Presidential Suite.
ii) see my reply to your other comments. With Emily personally serving me, it was flawless and, they had no problem packing up1/2 my lunch to ensure I was not late for my meeting at The Emory.
iii) I tried the Diwali menu in advance of the actual dates. I am sure the Peninsula, London lobby would have fully got into the spirit of this festival on the actual days.
v) see me previous post for my November plans.

Thanks for taking that time to read, think about' question & comment on all this.

Samantha Garvin

2/11/2025 11:43:04 pm

Not sure how your November will top October but I suspect it will. Looking forward to reading all about it.

Sam xx

3/11/2025 01:18:24 am

Love this comment & you. Hope Canada is well & we meet again soon.

Saravanan

4/11/2025 05:38:38 pm

Hi Simon,

Thank you so much for visiting The Peninsula London and for dining in our iconic outlets. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your genuine feedback. The photos you captured are wonderful, and we are delighted to hear that you enjoyed all of our creations.

It is always a privilege to welcome you back as a loyal guest, and we look forward to creating many more memorable experiences for you.

Kind regards,
Saravanan
Executive Chef
The Peninsula London

5/11/2025 12:18:46 am

You taking the time to make these comments thrilled me. Adore Peninsula, London & you and your colleagues are a big reason for this. Thanks for always making me feel a VIP & keep up the good work.

Gus

6/11/2025 01:14:43 am

9 teddies and very gourmet! Loved it

6/11/2025 02:26:37 am

Thanks for saying that. Such a special evening at Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair last night.

Johan

6/11/2025 02:49:13 am

Very enjoyable and great pictures as always Si! That dumpling tasting experience in particular confirms to me that London has the best dim sum on the planet - and I’m writing this from Hong Kong. London cannot easily match the views from the Rosewood in Hong Kong (as it’s in Kowloon) but the food is certainly as good as, or better than, anywhere else. Looking forward to November! And we don’t normally have many reasons to say this (other than my late November trip to Buenos Aires and Uruguay).

6/11/2025 02:53:37 am

Chef Ling Ling Zeng’s dim sum at Peninsula, London is on another level. Really appreciate you saying all this. Hope your Hong Kong & Singapore trip continues to go well.

Barbara peers

6/11/2025 09:35:53 am

Simon
Your fabulous photos say it all it looks and sounds absolutely amazing, I trust everything went ok for you, and that you enjoyed everything, I really enjoy reading all your amazing blogs , you make me feel as though I am there, looking forward to your next chapter. Xx

6/11/2025 09:41:00 am

Just dealing with our family lawyers but your comments put a smile on my face.

A Heston Blumenthal lunch at Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park today with a friend from Hong Kong.

Peter Akesson

9/11/2025 11:22:30 am

Stunning pictures. It looks really amazing. I wish I will have an opportunity to visit one day.

9/11/2025 12:28:28 pm

Kind of you to take the trouble to comment. Have found memories of our time in Bangkok & we must meet again.

the luxury travel blog

The Impressive Refurbished Penthouse at Four Seasons, Tower Bridge; The Mouthwatering Steak & Salad Lunch Deal at 45 Park Lane; and Golden Diwali, Freshly Baked Mooncakes & Divine Delicate Dim Sum at Peninsula, London - London/ Shrewsbury - October 2025

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