St James's Park Station

Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences, London

Taj 51 exceeded expectations (not always easy for a 5star stay), my family loved it.  This is so much better for family travel compared to a luxury hotel.  The room itself is incredible, having a kitchen and washer/dryer is key for us.  The location is also terrific, we could walk or train through London.  The staff makes serious effort to ensure comfort and constant help.

I stayed at Taj Buckingham London for five days, and unfortunately, it was one of the worst luxury hotel experiences I’ve ever had. For a property charging nearly £1,000 per night, the operational gaps and service failures were completely unacceptable.

The issues started the moment I landed. The hotel failed to properly coordinate with their third-party driver for my airport pickup, leaving me with the driver confused with no clear communication. Upon arrival at the hotel, things got even more frustrating. Despite paying everything in advance, I was made to wait 30 minutes in the lobby because they needed to “double check” with their finance team if my payment had been received. After a long flight, this kind of inefficiency felt ridiculous.

I booked a 1-Bedroom Suite with a living room, expecting a clean and comfortable space. Instead, the couch had a strong, unpleasant odor, and the bed sheets and pillowcases smelled like they hadn’t been laundered properly. For a luxury property, this level of housekeeping is simply unacceptable.

The next morning, I asked the breakfast staff if I could have breakfast in my room the following day. They happily agreed and never mentioned any additional charges. But when the breakfast arrived, I was suddenly billed an extra £100. Why? I already paid for breakfast as part of my room package. The lack of transparency felt misleading and extremely unprofessional.

But the most shocking and honestly traumatizing part of the stay happened at night. For three consecutive evenings, hotel staff — specifically male and female Indian staff — knocked on our door between 8–10 PM. Twice, they entered our room without permission, offering massage services. I have never in my life experienced hotel staff walking into a guest room uninvited. Having strangers inside our room late at night, while we were already sleeping, was beyond unacceptable. It felt unsafe, invasive, and completely out of line for any hotel, let alone one claiming to be “luxury.”

This stay was stressful from start to finish. With the high price point, I expected professionalism, privacy, and a seamless experience — yet what I received was the opposite. I genuinely hope the management addresses these serious issues, because no guest should ever have to go through this.

Used to love the Taj chain for its customer service, but this will be sadly our last stay. Every time we have visited London, which has been 5-6 times over the past 12-14 months, this has been our hotel of choice.
I booked the room about 2 weeks ago and wanted to change the stay date due to family matters, but they declined under the cancellation policy.
I decided to gift the stay to another family member, who pointed out that we had been overcharged significantly. The price for 1 night at the hotel had gone down from £517.50 to £360. I requested that they match the price, as it not only seems like bad practice but also a lack of care for a regular returning customer.
Once again, they refused but said they are happy to change the stay date now.
Over the past 12-14 months, the hotel has been undergoing constant renovations, which meant that every time we visited, the service did not meet the high standards for which they charged, but as an understanding customer, we never complained.
This treatment has left us with an overwhelmingly sour aftertaste of the TAJ chain, which I don't think we will ever visit again.

I went to Taj London, St James’s Square for an interview and a trial at the same time, and I was accepted. It was a wonderful experience. The hotel is beautiful, the atmosphere is welcoming, and everything was very nice.

This is by far my favorite hotel in London.  The service is both warm and very attentive.  The suites/apartments really feel like a luxurious home away from home.  Having a washer/dryer in the room was also  a welcome surprise and very helpful.  The happy hour at the bar and restaurant are lovely as well.  Even during the recent tube strike I could walk to most of my scheduled events.  I was sad to leave and look forward to my next visit.

We serve Halal upon request and with notice.

Taj 51

Modern Indian restaurant by chef Vivek Singh

The Cinnamon Club

Dining at The Cinnamon Club was an unforgettable celebration of refined Indian cuisine, delivered with impeccable balance and creativity. From the first canapé, each dish revealed bold spices crafted with delicacy and restraint. The opening trio offered contrasting textures and flavours—bright tamarind, fragrant coriander, and subtle yoghurt—setting the tone for a thoughtful culinary journey. The grilled Scottish scallop, paired with chutney potato and the nuanced heat of varhadi techa spices, was beautifully composed, offering sweetness and depth in every bite.

The progression into the starters showcased the kitchen’s mastery even further. The clove-smoked Anjou pigeon was tender and aromatic, harmonized with beetroot raita, pumpkin, and the gentle crunch of peanuts—a sophisticated reinterpretation of classic Indian pairings. The tandoori Kentish lamb chop followed with remarkable precision, charred at the edges but succulent inside, enriched by fenugreek flavours and a bold rahra gosht sauce that lingered warmly on the palate.

The main courses were equally memorable. The jumbo black tiger prawn was grilled to perfection, infused with Awadhi notes and balanced by spiced yoghurt, while the Balmoral Estate venison loin offered an elegant contrast—lean, earthy, complemented by rock moss and a subtle dried-lime accent that elevated the masala mash. The finale, a saffron pistachio kulfi with tutti frutti ganache and paan oil, was a masterclass in texture and aroma, delivering a dessert that was both nostalgic and modern.

The ambiance only enhanced the experience: dining among walls of vintage books felt timeless and calm, with service that was warm, attentive, and deeply knowledgeable about each course. My drinks—Assam Breakfast tea and the Lively cocktail—paired effortlessly, balancing comfort and sophistication.

Every plate at The Cinnamon Club told its own story, and together they created one of the most exceptional tasting menus I have enjoyed in London. A true destination for anyone seeking elevated Indian cuisine presented with grace and imagination.

Exceptionally delicious Indian cuisine in the shadow Westminster Abbey. Though very good, the Crab Rissoto had a noticeable absence of crab yet it did feature shrimp prominently. Had to wait a very long time for the check though I'm still trying to figure out if that my American desire to get when I'm done or a service improvement. Definitely worth a try.

I had an absolutely wonderful birthday experience at The Cinnamon Club in what is an incredibly rare, yet wonderful, restaurant setting. The whole family dined-in and each of us loved it - particularly the unique selection of starters and cocktails available on the evening. Across the night, the team were especially warm and attentive to us, ensuring the drinks kept flowing which we loved! They gave an excellent touch at the end with a lovely birthday plate too and we all look forward to visiting again soon!

We visited over the weekend . The restaurant is really buzzing with lots of people. The service is great and the attention to detail. Thanks for of the staff letting us know there is an APP that gives discounts.

We got the vegan menu which was lovely and for the price a steal! The food was flavoursome not too spicy but packed a punch. It was nice to try costal indian food which I have not eaten  before.

The only downside the toilets there is a noticeable smell like moud but also the toilets needs a huge revamp.

And, I noticed some tables at the back where trying to get the attention of staff. The waiters were of their feet  but some of the managers who were at the front reception should just do a walk around every  15 mins to check if anyone wanted anything because the waiters were extremely busy.

Apart from that I would definitely visit again and one of the staff recommended the weekend brunch.

A surprise birthday dinner for my wife, (special birthday) at the venue which is close to our hearts. 19 years earlier I had proposed at the Cinnamon Club.
A wonderful evening, great Indian food with a modern twist, my daughters and I opted for the scallop starter, it was incredible!!!  Polite, and friendly service, just the right balance to ensure you’re enjoying the meal and if anything else was needed.
We had chef Vivek Singh come over to our table and chatted with the family, which made it extra special.
Make sure you leave space for dessert, you don’t want to miss out!
To finish we also purchased the cook book, which chef kindly signed.

Our chicken and lamb is Halal. Alcohol served.

Michelin starred south-west Indian cuisine

Quilon

I recently dined at Quilon, a Michelin-starred South Indian restaurant, located near Buckingham Gate. While the reputation has raised my expectations, the overall experience was somewhat mixed.

* Food Quality & Presentation: Being a vegetarian, I was keen to try their plant-based offerings, but unfortunately, I found the flavours mild and the spices typically associated with South Indian cuisine were underwhelming. I believe they did tone down their dishes in an attempt to appeal to a broader audience, but the result was a bit bland.
In Beverages, they have a fairly extensive wine and cocktail list, though the non-alcoholic choices were limited.

* Ambiance and Setting: The ambience was one of its strongest points. The interior was  elegant with soft lighting and sophisticated vibe.

* Service and Pricing: Service was highly courteous and professional. Their staff were knowledgeable about the menu and made us good vegetarian recommendations.
As expected for a Michelin-starred venue, pricing is on the higher side. But for my vegetarian experience, the value didn’t quite match the cost.

* Cleanliness & Hygiene: The restaurant was spotless, from the dining area to the restrooms. Cleanliness and attention to detail were clearly prioritized.

Overall, it does offer a refined setting and solid service, but for the vegetarians looking for authentic South Indian flavours, it might disappoint.

We had an excellent dinner at Quilon, near St. James’s Park. Service was warm, attentive, and polished throughout, which made the evening feel special.

We started with cocktails — I chose the Last Sting (watermelon, Reposado tequila, jalapeño), a small but flavorful mix with just the right kick, while my husband had the Maple Oak (bourbon, maple syrup, bitters, smoky orange zest), a refined twist on a classic. They also served a complimentary warm glass of rasam, tangy and spiced, which set the tone beautifully.

For food, we had the Chickpeas Masala (Malabar-style), Okra Pearl Onion Masala, Malabar Parathas, and a dry vegetable of asparagus, mange tout, and tenderstem purple broccoli. The asparagus dish felt slightly out of place alongside the other plates since it didn’t reflect Malabari flavors, but it was beautifully prepared and delicate. The other dishes carried the hallmarks of South-West coastal Indian cooking — curry leaves, coconut, and mustard seed — presented with finesse. Portions were on the smaller side, but balanced and satisfying.

Quilon has held a Michelin star since 2008, and it’s easy to see why. The food is distinctive, the drinks are thoughtful, and the service makes you feel looked after even on a busy night. A fantastic experience all around.

We celebrated our anniversary dinner at Quilon in London and were absolutely delighted by the exceptional service and exquisite food. The evening started with a personal touch as Chef Sriram himself came to take our order, making us feel truly special.

For appetizers, we chose the Green Pepper Prawns and Kundapur Chicken—both were absolutely delicious, bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection. The Rasam served before the main course was another highlight—warming, comforting, and full of aromatic spices.

For our main course, we enjoyed the Masala Prawns with Tawa Paratha—a perfect combination of spices and textures. Each dish was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious.

A special mention to our waitress, Harshita, who provided phenomenal service throughout the evening. Her attentiveness and warm hospitality made our night even more special. As a sweet surprise, we were treated to a complimentary anniversary dessert that added the perfect finishing touch to an already delightful evening.

Thank you, Chef Sriram, Harshita, and the entire Quilon team for making our anniversary celebration so memorable. We look forward to returning soon!

We walked in and was lucky to get a table.

We choose to go with A-La-Carte option as we are vegetarian and  not the set menu which is available for Sea Food, Non-Veg and Veg.

Everything we ordered, was authentic testing and delicious.

Service at this place is same as any other Taj property and it is absolutely the best. I have never found anyone with better service than Taj.

The Hot and Spicy warm Rassam they bring in between is so good you may not stop after just one.

A must visit place if you are around London.

Absolutely delicious spot for South Indian food in an elegant setting with excellent service - we had the set lunch menu (had one each of the vegetarian, pescatarian and meat) and each dish on each menu was absolutely divine. Lovely cocktails, drinks and wine list. Friendly staff, the chef was walking past each table and we had a great chat. Will definitely be back!

Our chicken and lamb dishes are Halal. Our game meat is not Halal, but is prepped and cooked separately to avoid any cross-contamination.

St James's Park Station

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