Mobile Point View by Paul Ruppert: My Two Most Favorite Hotels in the World (B)

The Trafalgar Hotel, London & Makati Shangri La, Manila, Philippines

The Trafalgar Hotel, London 2 Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Square, London, UK

Located at the juncture of Whitehall, Cockspur, Pall Mall and The Strand, more commonly known as Trafalgar Square, the Trafalgar is one of London's trending "fashion hotels." The hotel lobby serves more as a lounge than a lobby, with 24/7 club and world music, filling a space bordered by the lengthy bar, and windows to Canada House across the street. During the day, the DJ cockpit serves as the magazine rack, and there is a constant sound level that varies inversely with the amount of sunlight--very, very loud at night, and background during the day. The front desk is an open kiosk managed by a predominantly mix of Italian and Polish staff that must be supermodels for their other job, rather than hotel school graduates. But such attitude is left at the door, and they are efficient, helpful and courteous befitting the marketing affiliation of the hotel--Hilton. Although there is no Hilton branding or signage on property, and the knowledge of the London black cabs refer to the hotel as "The Trafalgar Hotel." Such must be a conscious branding decision to avoid the older clientele which Hilton caters to--most wouldn't be able to see in the blue and violet lighting in the elevators.

Rooms are "sheik" minimalist and quietly luxe with 300 count sheets, an assortment of earthwise grapefruit and cardamom bath products, and glass enclosed rain showers. The 129 room property caters to the rising chic, B listers, journalists, and younger business clients. Entering at night is more like going beyond the ropes at a London dance club than a 5 start hotel. The Trafalgar is a 5 minute walk to London's theatre district surrounding Piccadilly Circus and Mayfair, art in the National gallery, the clubs of Leicester Square, the royals at Buckingham palace, or parliament at Westminster.

Location: Minutes walking to many of central London's tourist destinations. 1 hour by car to Heathrow LHR, 10 minutes by black cab to Heathrow Express rail at Paddington station. 2 Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Square, London, UK SW1A 2TS Tel: +44 (0) 20 7870 2900 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7870 2911

Costs: Standard Room: 188 GBP + tax ( appx. US$ 372 @ May '07), Deluxe: 239 GBP (appx. US$ 473)

Food & Entertainment: Small restaurant. During summer, the Rooftop Lounge looks across to Nelson's Column. Westminster and London's skyline at night. Lobby bar to see and be seen every night of the week. Be sure to walk down to Mint Leaf on Haymarket (a left and a right out of the Trafalgar's door) for great Indian food, and a tremendous bar scene.