On to the dining itself, and JW Steakhouse prides itself on both its United States Department Agriculture (USDA)-grade beef, and its legendary cheesecake, which it claims is the best on this side of the Atlantic. The menu here is plentiful, and aside from the various cuts of meat, there are a few marine and vegetarian options, so there’s something for everyone. There’s also an array of wines from across the globe, and plenty of soft drinks to accompany any of the gastronomic delights.
Starters range from calamari to smoked Scottish salmon, and I headed for the generous portion of tuna tartare (£14) marinated in lime. Topped with a smooth layer of soft avocado, it was excellent and beautifully prepared. I could have easily had more. Mrs W went for a portion of soft asparagus (£6), normally classified as a side, which was specially adapted by the kitchen to be dairy-free.
Come to the mains, and this is where Mrs W put the succulent American USDA Kansas Black Angus beef to the test after a period of serious deliberation as to whether have the equally inviting lamb chop and mint sauce.
The six-ounce fillet (£32) won, and it was to be served medium well with a red wine jus. Sure enough, it arrived to spec with a warm centre, and it was accompanied by a helping of hand cut chips concocted from Maris Piper potatoes (£5) – both disappeared without hesitation. I tried the nicely roasted and crispy wild sea bass which arrived on a bed of flavoursome sun-dried tomatoes, black olives and basil (£26). I joined this with a very generous side of creamy and cheesy “au gratin” (£5).
Dessert is always the subject of lengthy debate when you’re presented with so many tempting sweets, such as brownie pudding and Mississippi mud pie. I’m sure that the cheesecake, which has achieved cult status over the years, and which generates 40,000 sales every year, is very nice. However, our stomachs were full from the day’s culinary delights, and we had to make the difficult and rare decision of skipping the last course to call it a night. All-in-all, the service and meal at JW Steakhouse were both faultless, and it is no wonder that pretty much all of the 135 seats were full when we visited.
After a good night’s sleep, we headed back to the Executive Lounge for self-service buffet breakfast, and although still full from dinner, we still had a bit of room left to enjoy the regular morning favourites of fresh pastries, bread and cheese, eggs, fruit and smoked salmon. Once again, we were not left disappointed, and it set us up nicely for the day ahead.
Exercising
There have been no pool or spa facilities available to guests for the last 12 years at JW Marriott Grosvenor House London, but this is all about to change. Marriott is investing heavily to refurbish the existing large pool and 12 treatment rooms which sit below the hotel forecourt, and therefore, this will only enhance the facilities available to visitors in the near future. In the meantime, gym enthusiasts can take advantage of a fully-equipped fitness centre which is open 24 hours a day. Alternatively, the hotel is conveniently located to explore some of London’s most popular sights on foot including Hyde Park, the shopping thoroughfare of Oxford Street, and the royal residence of Buckingham Palace.
JW Marriott Grosvenor House London is a slick operation, from the moment you walk through the door, to the moment that you check-out. It’s clear to see that the staff are happy and proud to be working at such a prestigious property, and as we witnessed first-hand with the celebrations in April, they have certainly mastered the art of creating that all-important special experience that is both memorable and has guests wanting to return. We certainly will, and so will thousands of others for years to come.
JW Marriott Grosvenor House London – Where and How?
JW Marriott Grosvenor House London is located at 86 – 90 Park Lane, London W1K 7TN, United Kingdom. For more information, or to make a reservation, visit www.marriott.com.
See pictures from the 90th-anniversary celebrations and our stay, on our Instagram page.
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